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<br />Councilmember Dehen asked where the limit of 12 liquor licenses came from and how many the <br />City had as a total. <br /> <br />City Attorney Goodrich stated that the number came from State law. <br /> <br />Mayor Gamec stated that he thinks the City has 7 liquor licenses issued right now. <br /> <br />Police Chief Way stated that it may only be 6 because he has heard that Ramsey Wine and <br />Spirits has closed. He reviewed the remainder of the suggested changes to the ordinance. He, <br />reviewed pages 3, 4, 5 and 6 of the ordinance. He stated that the Town Center concept was to <br />allow restaurants able to have patrons sit outside on the sidewalk, but if the City Council wants <br />to allow this, the ordinance would need to be rewritten because as it is now, this would not be <br />allowed. <br /> <br />Mayor Gamec stated that he feels it would be nice to be able to sit outside and have a drink. <br /> <br />Police Chief Way stated that a patio is different than a side walk and noted that drinking is <br />allowed on a patio if there is a barrier of some sort. He stated that the sidewalk type of seating <br />he was referring to is similar to when you drive to downtown Minneapolis off of 94, as you enter <br />the City; there are a number of restaurants that have a small seating area on the sidewalk. <br /> <br />Councilmember Look expressed concern that there may be a potentially dangerous situation if <br />there were pedestrians trying to walk through this outdoor seating area. <br /> <br />Councilmember Dehen stated that he would have no problem with the sidewalks being allowed <br />as long as it doesn't create a problem for pedestrians. <br /> <br />Mayor Gamec stated that he prefers the fenced in patio type than just sitting on a sidewalk <br />because he feels the patios will encourage nicer establishments. He stated that he thinks JR's is <br />building a patio area for smokers. <br /> <br />Police Chief Way stated that if a business adds a patio it requires a permit and noted that he will <br />check with JR's. He reviewed pages 7 - 13 of the ordinance. He introduced Chandra Kreyer of <br />the Police Department and asked her to review the alcohol compliance checking procedure. <br /> <br />Ms. Kreyer stated that she works with both alcohol and' tobacco compliance and they are very <br />similar. She reviewed the list of requirements to be an alcohol checker which are: Ages 18-21 <br />(minus one day); pass a criminal history check; be referred to the program; use their own valid <br />government ID; look their age; and sign a consent form. She stated that typically kids are <br />referred by guidance counselors, coaches or school resources officers into this program and are <br />really good kids that are not in trouble. <br /> <br />Councilmember Dehen asked who pays the kids to be alcohol checkers. <br /> <br />Ms. Kreyer stated that the tobacco checkers are not paid and the City only does alcohol <br />compliance checks if it has a grant to cover these costs. <br /> <br />City Council Work Session / October 23, 2007 <br />Page 2 of 4 <br />