06-11-2001 Council Minutes - Laserfiche WebLink

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ORONO CITY COUNCIL MEETING MONDAY, JUNE 11, 2001 Items 7 and 8 appear after Item 9. • 9. Request to Accept Grant from Alcohol and Gambling Enforcement Division Police Chief Good stated that the Orono Police Department had applied for a grant to fund underage compliance checks at on and off sale liquor establishments. They were approved for funding in the amount of $1,875. Kim Roe of the Hennepin County Project to Reduce Underage Drinking stated that they have looked at how youth access alcohol and want to reduce underage drinking by reducing commercial sales with compliance checks. Heather Brutt with the University of Minnesota Alcohol Epidemiology Program in the School of Health stated that underage drinking results in a number of health issues, such as unintended pregnancy, early sexual activity, transmission of sexually transmitted diseases, an increased risk of suicide, and others. Because of the number of sources of alcohol available to youth, there are a number of steps communities should take to limit underage drinking. One measure is to perform compliance checks at establishments that sell liquor. Checks should be done on a regular random basis coupled with penalties applied to the owner or manager of the establishment. She stated that 2/3 of youth who drink buy from establishments. Mayor Peterson asked if the grant was a one -time award. Ms. Roe stated that they work • on receiving funding each year, and another source of funding is licensing fees. Sansevere asked why 18 year olds are allowed to serve alcohol. Roe stated that cities are able to pass an ordinance restricting the serving of alcohol to people over 21. Chief Good stated that according to the Minnesota Student Survey, Orono students report a higher rate of alcohol and marijuana use than other areas of the state. Flint moved, and White seconded, to accept state funding for underage compliance checks. Vote: Ayes 5, Nays 0. MAYOR/COUNCIL REPORT Sansevere stated that he had received a memo regarding Mr. Anderst that said if he could not receive profits from the beer tent, he was not interested in pursuing the event. Chief Good stated that Mr. Anderst would need a separate liquor license for Sunday and that proceeds from the liquor sales would have to go to charity. Mr. Anderst informed Chief Good that he was not interested in working the event if he did not get to keep his profits. The event, therefore, would not be happening.