Minutes - Council - 04/06/1999 - Special

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w~-~-~ l~:~J NASH ~ LODGE 612 ?12 1015 P,O3×OG Page two of four rear of the building in order to observe the performance. The investigating officers apparently arrived to investigate approximately an hour after the complaint was made. Mr. Gruber tells us that he has repeatedly been commended by local police officials for the way the Diamonds is operated. The occasional incident which occurs on the premises is always resolved even before police arrive. The bar's video surveillance cameras run constantly, and the tapes have been offered to officials to assist in solving not only incidents on the premises, but also incidents completely separate from the property (in one case a hit-and-run, in another a theft). The operation of this security system is an extra, voluntary expense borne by the Diamonds, which benefits the City of Ramsey. Patrons of the bar find it to be a safe, pleasant environment. On the occasion whereupon a customer requests an escort to a vehicle, the bar happily responds. Two limousines are available to patrons without charge if a patron demonstrates a possible inability to drive home safely (this is especially important since there is no taxi service available). There is not another establishment operating within the City of Ramsey that has gone as far as the Diamonds to provide a safe environment for it's customers and neighbors. The Diamonds goes to great lengths to ensure that it presents itself as an asset to the City. In the cited incident, the Diamonds made a mistake and is willing to accept responsibility for that mistake. However, no other liquor establishment has been asked to absorb a financial penalty as severe as that proposed in this situation. It is my understanding that the City is considerin9 a 3-day (Friday, Saturday & Sunday) suspension of the Diamonds' liquor license. It has been related to us that such a suspension is typical, and that its 'intent is to impose a financial burden upon the establishment that befits the violation. Here, as stated above, the violation as it affected the bar's general patronage and the general public, is fairly nominal. The offense described in your letter was an extremely private and isolated occurrence. On the other hand, it is our understanding that when another establishment served liquor to a minor - a much more serious offense - it's license was suspended for only one day, A Monday. tn addition, a three-day license suspension for the Diamonds will have a far different effect for it than the same penalty for a different bar. The Diamonds does not have the benefit of longevity. It is currently operating at a loss while it recovers from its initial construction and opening costs and while it's patrona9e grows. Aisc, while because of its size and image it may enjoy greater cash flow than other baCs, its overhead is also more dramatic.