Introduce Ordinance #17-20 Providing for a Special Closing Times License of On-Sale Intoxicating Liquor during the 2018 National Football League Super Bowl Game at U.S. Bank Stadium

Purpose:  To allow the current liquor establishments in the City to stay open and serve alcohol until 4:00 a.m. the weekend of Super Bowl 2018.

Background:  In 2017, the Legislature passed a special law allowing establishments serving liquor, wine, and beer to remain open until 4:00 a.m. on February 2 through February 5, 2018, during Super Bowl LII, subject to approval by the local jurisdiction (with a fee up to, but not to exceed $250).

To date, no establishment located in the City has inquired about extended hours.  However, if Council is in agreement with extending the hours, the action will be effective in time to be taken advantage of should an establishment desire to do so.

Staff contacted a few area cities to see what action they intend to take.  They are as follows:

• Anoka has not discussed it nor do they plan to.
• Elk River has discussed it and is planning to bring forward an ordinance for adoption with a fee of $100 or $150.
• Blaine is currently discussing with their Police Department and intends to bring an ordinance forward for adoption with the maximum fee suggested of $250.
• Andover has not been contacted by any of their establishments so they plan to leave their hours as is - no extension.
• St. Francis has not been approached by any establishments and are uncertain what they plan to do at this time.
• Maple Grove adopted an ordinance extending the hours and decided upon a fee of $100 for the license.
• Ham Lake has not yet responded.

Attached is a draft ordinance which would provide for the extended hours for liquor sales.  Before businesses can participate in the extended hours, they must be issued a special 4:00 a.m. license by the City of Ramsey.   If Council adopts this ordinance, an application will be drafted for the special license.

Upon approval of the attached Ordinance #17-20, staff will be mailing a letter and a 4:00 a.m. license application to the current on-sale liquor businesses located within the City.  Staff is recommending a license fee of $100, which should cover additional costs and staff time involved to issue the 4:00 a.ml license. 

Observations:  This ordinance will not change the City's Code with regard to licensing.  This is action to allow a temporary license for current liquor establishments to sell liquor for extended hours only during the weekend of the Super Bowl 2018.

Alternatives:  Council may introduce, and finally adopt the attached Ordinance allowing the extended liquor sales hours OR Council may opt to not introduce nor adopt the ordinance.  By not adopting the ordinance to allow for a process of extending the liquor sales hours, the hours will remain as they are - allowing sales until 2:00 a.m. on Friday and Saturday.

N/A

Staff is recommending Council introduce Ordinance #17-20 allowing additional hours of liquor sales during the Super Bowl 2018 weekend.

Motion to introduce Ordinance #17-20 Providing for a Special Closing Times License of On-Sale Intoxicating Liquor during the 2018 National Football League Super Bowl Game at U.S. Bank Stadium