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music, watch sports games, play softball and volleyball, play pool, and play darts. They provide <br />security cameras, and security staff with wireless radios as well as free limousine service. These <br />are a few things Diamonds has done to keep customers safe. Ms. Bowden stated Diarnonds has <br />also hosted several large events. There is the upcoming third annual Memorial Weekend softball <br />tournament and the third annual Fourth of July Funfest. Over the past two years the Fourth of <br />July event has been free to the public, and has also raised nearly $25,000 for local youth athletic <br />progralns. Diamonds has also created a fun family Halloween event that was supported by <br />Anoka Halloween last year. These events bring exposure, awareness, and prosperity to the City <br />of Ramsey on many levels. Diamonds has also hosted a number of charities, fundraising, and <br />benefits for several families in the community. Ms. Bowden stated the 2 a.m. closing is affecting <br />Diamonds, and their sales have-dropped horribly. They see their venue clear out at 10 p.m. so <br />customers have time to go to another venue. They are now starting to lose it on the front end <br />also, as people that came out at 9 p.m. now are not coming out until 10 p.m. There are people <br />that work second shift and would like to go to a venue where they can get something to eat, and <br />that business is being lost to other cmmnunities. Diamonds has had to cut their staff as much as <br />40 percent. These factors have caused tremendous financial strain on their business, if things do <br />not turn around Diamonds might not remain in business. They are asking the Council's <br />immediate attention to allow their establishment to continue to do good things for this <br />community. <br /> <br />Karen Workerson, Gambling Manager for CLIMB Theater, stated with her this evening is Dan <br />from the Ramsey Lions. She stated they conduct charitable gaming in J.R.'s OutPost and <br />Diamonds. They have also noticed the customer base departing earlier and coming in later. She <br />stated this impacts the proceeds that are donated back to the community. In addition to this, the <br />customers take their-prize money and spend it in other communities instead of staying in the bar <br />and buying food or a round of drinks. Hopefully the Council will look kindly on this and <br />understand they do a lot of good in the community. <br /> <br />Mayor Gamec indicated the Council will hold a worksession regarding this subject. He <br />explained this has been discussed at the North Metro Mayors Association. As far as they are <br />aware Coon Rapids, Elk River, Champlin, Anoka, Andover, Osseo, Oak Grove and Maple Grove <br />were all still qCestioning the 2 a.m. closing. Most of the surrounding areas have not gone to the <br />2 a.m. closing. The North Metro Mayors Association is continuing to monitor this and they have <br />not seen a lot of major changes established. He stated as far as activities, between the months of <br />January until the middle of February is a bad time for the beverage business. The general feeling <br />of the Council has been 'not to open this up and not to look at going to the 2 a.m. closing time. <br />This has been debated several times. They have looked at the option of staying open after 1 a.m. <br />without liquor being served, however that can be done now according to the ordinance. Each <br />CoUncilmember will have to look at this. His feeling is unless some of the Council has changed <br />their mind, the 2 a.m. closing will not come about in Ramsey at this time. This can be discussed <br />in a worksession. <br /> <br />Councilmember Elvig stated he would like to see this discussed, as there are new things that have <br />been brought to light. It is worth having a worksession to discuss the impact of this. They have <br />looked at what other communities are doing rather than what Ramsey should do, but Ramsey <br />should be a leader and stand on its own two feet, <br /> <br />The consensus of the Council was to discuss the 2 a.m. bar closing at an upcoming worksession. <br /> <br />City Attorney Goodrich advised staff is working on a revision to the entire on-sale liquor <br />ordinance and planned on bringing it for discussion at the first worksessJon in March. <br /> <br />P32 <br /> <br />City Council/February 10, 2004 <br /> Page 4 of 18 <br /> <br /> <br />