Laserfiche WebLink
Regular City Council Meeting <br />Monday, July 28, 2008 <br />Page 21 <br />f. Consider amending City Code, Chapter 302.13, Off-Sale Liquor License Re- <br />quirements, for Roundy's ((Rainbow Foods) <br />Finance Director Chris Miller provided two bench handouts of last minute a-mail <br />correspondence from Mr. Rod Olson and from Jane and Bill Cross regarding this <br />matter. <br />Finance Director Chris Miller briefly reviewed the request of Roundy's Super- <br />markets, Inc., for anoff--sale liquor license for their new grocery store at 1201 W <br />Larpenteur Avenue, as detailed in the staff report dated July 28, 2008. Mr. Miller <br />advised that staff had prepared public policy discussion points, but that staff was <br />making no recommendation. <br />Councilmember Ihlan noted that when this issue had come before the City Coun- <br />cil in February of 2008, a comparison chart of other cities and their off- and on- <br />sale license rationales and restrictions was included, with some communities bas- <br />ing their restrictions on per capita and geographic locations. Councilmember Ih- <br />lan asked that a copy of that information again be made available to the City <br />Council for this policy discussion, not specific to the Roundy's request. <br />Dan Farrel, Vice President of Real Estate for Roundy's <br />Mr. Farrel provided a brief history of the Roundy's project since 2005, delays in <br />their original timeframe, interaction with the City throughout the rezoning and <br />PUD process, and their corporate views and business model in requesting this ad- <br />ditional liquor license be made available. <br />Mr. Farrel respectfully requested that the City Council consider Roundy's status <br />as a good corporate citizen, and issue an 11th off-sale liquor license. <br />Max Stickman, Real Estate Manager for Roundy's <br />Mr. Stickman reviewed Roundy's policies and procedures for consideration of <br />public goodwill in operating liquor stores; their history in operations and what the <br />liquor store would look like, based on similar stores in Woodbury and Brooklyn <br />Park, and based on a one-stop option for their clientele, not as a destination for <br />liquor and spirits. Mr. Stickman advised that it was Roundy's policy that every- <br />one, regardless of age, was carded; and assured Councilmembers that they took <br />their responsibility to the community very seriously; and noted that the store was <br />planned from its inception for separated sale of liquor, with appropriate signage. <br />Mr. Stickman referenced some of the a-mails provided as public comment in the <br />agenda packet, and their concern for existing liquor stores not needing additional <br />competition, in addition to concerns about public policy. Mr. Stickman opined <br />that singling out liquor stores as one business entity as a protected class from <br />competition, and attempts to restrain trade were not indicative of the City's origi- <br />nal liquor ordinance intents. <br />