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Regular City Council Meeting Monday,November 18, 2013 Page 25 three-tiered system separating the manufacturing, distribution and retailing of al- coholic beverages; as demonstrated in those cases. Mr. Griffith apologized for the late delivery today of the additional information; however, he advised that it had just finally been received earlier today as the re- sult of a public information request, based on a 2002 case in New Jersey; where the applicant was charged over $1 million total in fines from several of their stores based on their inability to provide true books of account within 7 days. Mr. Griffith opined that the amount of the fines $250,000 per store should indicate the seriousness of the situation; even though that violation was not listed in the appli- cation materials provided to Roseville. Mr. Griffith referenced two other fines and suspensions in 1995 and 1998, which had been listed as violations in the staff report; but the other significant fines and suspensions had not been provided by the applicant to the City in their application process. Mr. Griffith advised that these violations had just been brought to their attention today, through this docu- mentation. Mr. Griffith advised that it was the Association's understanding that the State of Connecticut had also opened a file and active investigation in its department, sim- ilar to that of the State of MN's Bureau of Alcohol and Gambling Enforcement. Based on the pending completion of this sale and liquor license transfer, Mr. Grif- fith questioned where the inventory of the former Network Liquors was now housed, alleging a violation of state law; also bearing on their eligibility for licen- sure in the State of MN. Mr. Griffith further noticed how unusual it was that the transfer, according to the staff report, was subject to completion of the background and criminal investiga- tion of owners and officers; since most cities complete that investigation prior to approval, not after the fact. Mr. Griffith asked that there be no rush for approval of this transfer, based on the additional information provided by the Association; and opining that this should not cause any delay in their proposed opening in the spring of 2014 following a full and thorough investigation. Frank Ball, Woodbury, MN, Past Director of the Minnesota Licensed Bever- age Association; Past Director of Public Safety and retired Chief of Police from Brainerd, MN; now representing Small Liquor Licensees in the State of MN Mr. Ball spoke to impacts to locally-owned businesses in the neighborhood and affects to retail sales when big box retailers moved in, such as Costco and Sams Club. Mr. Ball noted that those small business owners lived in their communities and paid taxes there; and supported events and activities in those communities as well. While most of those businesses do the right thing, Mr. Ball opined that this was booze, and controlled substance and adult product; and noted that it was high- ly regulated for a specific reason. Mr. Ball noted that Association retailers are re-