03-22-2004 Council Minutes - Laserfiche WebLink

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MINUTES OF THE ORONO CITY COUNCIL MEETING Monday, March 22, 2004 7:00 o'clock p.m. (4. ON SALE LIQUOR LICENSE PUBLIC HEARING — PA UL ODE — NA VARRE LANES continued) Mr. Paul Norman Ode, 5040 Janet Road, Mound, MN. stated he had a few statements to make. He continued by saying when he picked up his application for the license he reviewed it in the office with City Clerk Lin Vee. Then he left to fill it out and returned to the City and the City Clerk with questions and at that time she informed Ode that this was the first time Orono had processed an application for this type of liquor license. He stated she took the application and stated that if there were any questions the City would get back to him. He said that he didn't think traffic related reviews were to be reviewed in the application because he knew it would be reviewed and didn't think he had concealed that fact. In regard to late items, he stated he provided them as quickly as they could be received and provided to the City. The moment he was aware that they wanted bank information he requested it immediately within a day or two but at least ten days or so before the hearing. He got a confirmation from the insurance company that the insurance information would be provided but they were not able to send the Certificate of Insurance, but they had all the confirmations in the paperwork. • Mr. Ode feels he got off on the wrong foot from day one. He continued that he feels the location is an opportunity to make some changes and said the bowling alley hasn't changed for 50 years and has functioned as a "set -ups" liquor establishment. He wants to improve the property by adding a restaurant and offer liquor to the patrons. Mr. Ode asked what the City would permit in this location. He also stated he can step down • as license holder, but would like to see the project go on and feels it would be a successful project and serve the community well. It is a very small lounge and bowling alley. It is expected that the area would hold 45 people between the restaurant and providing seats in the bowling area. He would like the site to be a community unit where families can come and enjoy something to eat and a game and a cocktail. Attorney Barrett again stated that the purpose of the public hearing this evening is the application for the liquor license and the Council should make a record tonight in regard to the application and does not necessarily involve the question of the restaurant or other things that may be separately addressed with the Planning Commission. Sansevere stated to Mr. Ode he was confused because when he came before the Council before the first of the year or thereabouts, he told the Council he had to have a 3.2 liquor license to open by January 1, 2004 because of deadlines. Because of the urgency, the Council did something unprecedented by acting on it in a work session because he absolutely had to have the 3.2 license and the site is still not open. Sansevere added that now he is coming to Council requesting a full liquor license and does not understand what the motivation was in asking for a 3.2 and then coming back for a full license. Sansevere asked if this was a way to receive a little and then push for the full license and why the establishment isn't open? • PAGE 6 of 23