Introduce Ordinance #15-11 Amending the Ramsey City Code Chapter 6, Section 6-34 Hours and Days of Sale, Subd. (c) Intoxicating Liquor; Sunday Sales; On Sale.

Purpose:  To introduce, and finally adopt an ordinance amending the hours of Sunday sales for on-sale liquor establishments.

Background:  The State of Minnesota has adopted new liquor laws concerning micro distilleries, growler sales and a change in serving hours for Sundays.  Establishments that hold an on-sale intoxicating liquor license and a Sunday license may now serve intoxicating liquor with food on Sundays as early as 8:00 a.m.  Previously, no alcohol could be served by an establishment prior to 10:00 a.m. on Sunday.  Staff has drafted an ordinance amending City's Code to state that the hours of sale on Sunday will be as allowed by State Law.   Changing the hours of sale is an option - it is not mandatory.  However, if Council is amenable to the change, it must be done by Ordinance.

The ordinance is attached for Council review.
 

If Council chooses to amend the City's Code, staff will notify the establishments this would affect.

Observations:  Staff reached out to our Police Department to determine if there is any concern with the change in hours, no concerns were stated.  The majority of Chapter 6 - Liquor - is as referenced by State Law. 

Alternatives: 

1)  Council may opt to leave Code as is - allowing Sunday liquor sales after 10:00 a.m.
2)  Council may introduce this ordinance to amend the hours of liquor sales on Sunday as allowed by State Law.
3) Council may direct that a different time, i.e. 9:00 a.m., be stated in the ordinance.

N/A

Staff is recommending Council amend the City's Code to be the same as State Law.  The majority of the Chapter that deals with liquor sales references State Law.

Motion to introduce Ordinance #15-11 amending the City's Code Chapter 6, Section 6-34, Subd. (c) Intoxicating Liquor; Sunday Sales; On Sale.