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Regular City Council Meeting <br /> Monday,January 27, 2014 <br /> Page 26 <br /> by the City Council to approve the transfer and renewal was premature, even <br /> though she understood there was no place for people to move into. Therefore, <br /> Councilmember McGehee stated that she would support a stay. <br /> Mayor Roe clarified that this motion was not an action to reconsider previous City <br /> Council action to transfer the liquor license; but was a request by the Minnesota <br /> Licensed Beverage Association and Stephens Liquor (a/k/a Fairview Wine & <br /> Spirits) to temporarily set it aside pending litigation. Mayor Roe spoke in support <br /> of the motion as stated, stating that he agreed with the findings as stated; and <br /> agreed that there was no harm to Minnesota Licensed Beverage Association or <br /> Stephens Liquor Store. <br /> Roll Call <br /> Ayes: Willmus; Laliberte; Etten; and Roe. <br /> Nays: McGehee. <br /> Motion carried. <br /> c. Consider Waiving Delinquent Utility Charge for 2462 Prior Avenue <br /> Finance Director Chris Miller summarized this delinquent utility billing in the <br /> amount of $12,665.04, for 2452 Prior Avenue, as detailed in the RCA and At- <br /> tachment A (City Code, Chapters 801, 801, 803) dated January 27, 2014; and At- <br /> tachment B, a January 15, 2014 Opinion from the City Attorney on potential ram- <br /> ifications of granting the request of Roseville Properties. <br /> At the request of Mayor Roe, City Attorney Gaughan offered nothing specific be- <br /> yond his written opinion, other than to note the clear language of code using <br /> "shall" versus "may" as it relates to certification to the County Auditor any utility <br /> charges in excess of ninety days past due for collection with real estate taxes, re- <br /> moving any discretion of the governing body. <br /> Discussion ensued among Councilmembers and staff regarding the number of <br /> commercial/industrial properties (estimated at 200) currently in the name of the <br /> tenant versus the property owner or a management company for the tenant or <br /> landlord; whether or if there could be a remedy for tracking that information to <br /> avoid recurrence of similar situations; and whether staff could monitor these sit- <br /> uations and copy all parties on utility bills to keep lines of communication open. <br /> Councilmember Willmus expressed concerns in setting a precedent if the City <br /> Council elected to waive this charge given the bankruptcy circumstances, and po- <br /> tential for future exposure. <br /> At the request of Councilmember Laliberte, City Attorney Gaughan reiterated his <br /> interpretation that the City Council did not have the right to waive the fees at any <br /> point, per current city Code, but that they be certified to the property taxes of the <br /> property owner. <br />