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Page 1 of 2 <br /> <br /> <br /> <br /> <br />CONSENT ITEM – 7D <br /> <br />MEMORANDUM <br /> <br />DATE: May 26, 2020 <br /> <br />TO: Honorable Mayor and City Councilmembers <br /> Dave Perrault, City Administrator <br /> <br />FROM: Julie Hanson, City Clerk <br /> <br />SUBJECT: Prorated Refund of On-Sale Liquor License Fees due to COVID-19 <br /> <br /> Budgeted Amount: Actual Amount: Funding Source: <br /> $39,870 See budget impact below General Fund <br /> <br />Council Should Consider <br />The Council should consider refunding a prorated amount, five weeks totaling $3,723.25, for on- <br />sale liquor licenses held by restaurants that have been impacted by the COVID-19 pandemic (see <br />below for affected restaurants). <br /> <br />Background/Discussion <br />On March 16, Governor Walz signed Executive Order 20-04 ordering the temporary closure of <br />restaurants to dine-in customers, and local restaurants closed their doors to the public on Tuesday, <br />March 17. While doors were shuttered, many restaurants continued to provide takeout, curbside or <br />delivery services. On April 17, Governor Walz signed an executive order revising Minnesota <br />Statute Chapter 75-S.F. No 4489 allowing certain on-sale licensees to make off-sales of liquor <br />(beer, wine, hard seltzer and cider) with specific criteria and restrictions. On April 20, 2020, the <br />City Council expressed support of this provision and staff subsequently reached out to the local <br />restaurants that hold on-sale licenses to inform they could sell off-sale liquor in accordance with the <br />Governor’s order. <br /> <br />Following discussion at its April 30 special work session and May 18 work session, the City <br />Council directed staff to calculate refunds of on-sale licenses based on the period during which local <br />restaurants did not have the option to sell liquor. Based on this guidance, staff calculated refund <br />amounts for a five week period beginning March 17 and ending April 20. <br /> <br />Pending Council approval, the nine (9) businesses that will receive a refund of a portion of the 2020 <br />liquor license fees are: Big Ten Supper Club, Davanni’s, Flaherty’s Arden Bowl, Great China, <br />Jimmie’s Old Southern BBQ, Lindey’s Steakhouse, Namaste India, Orchid Bar and Grill and <br />Tavern Grill. <br />