Minutes - Council Work Session - 04/30/2001

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Council to the three-ring binders for their agendas, the same as what staff has been getting for some time now. The material cost and cost for staff time would be significantly lower. Discussion ensued relating to how the process would work and consensus of the Council was to try it. 5) Number of Liquor Licenses (03/27/01 Council) The City Clerk had been approached by Jeff Wise for an off-sale liquor license. Due to the moratorium placed on the liquor licenses in March, Mrs. Thieling informed Mr. Wise she would have to talk to Council first. The background is that Mr. Wise came to the City in December, or thereabouts, intending to apply for a liquor license. Since it was quite some time before Mr. Wise's building would be ready for occupancy, he was told by the City Clerk and by the Police Chief that he could just as well wait until he was closer to getting into the business. Mr. Wise had actually received site plan approval last fall (2000) for his liquor store and it was known at that time what the intent was for that building. The City Clerk asked to bring Mr. Wise's case to Council. Council agreed that the case should come before them and that it appears this may be an exception to the moratorium. It was stated that there is willingness on the Council to work with Mr. Wise and that he should begin his paperwork. Discussion ensued relating to limiting the number of off-sale liquor licenses granted in the City of Ramsey. A few items that came up to check into are: Look at putting in the Code that a liquor establishment has to be so many feet from a daycare center. Look at stating a square foot requirement. Councilmember Anderson stated she wants the literature that says too many liquor establishments cause trouble. It was suggested that this all be turned over to the City Attorney to get more information and to find out where Diane, the owner of Rum River Wine & Spirits got the study she quoted at the 03/27/01 Council meeting. Mayor Gamec inquired if Council wants to limit the amount of liquor stores the City can have. Councilmember Zimmerman stated he is not ready to make that decision. #2: City Logo City Administrator Norman stated that timing is no longer a factor in choosing a new logo for the City of Ramsey. (The water tower is being painted without the logo). He inquired if the Council is interested in forming a Committee again to deal with the logo. Councilmember Anderson stated she liked Barry Childs' campaign logo. Councilmember Kurak inquired about the arts department at a community college. Councilmember Hendriksen liked the idea of utilizing the two rivers. Councilmember Anderson suggested looking at what we have. Council Work Session - April 30, 2001 Page 2 of 4