08-11-2015 CCM WORKSHOPHUTCHINSON CITY COUNCIL
CHAPTER 112 — LIQUOR REGULATIONS
MINUTES
TUESDAY, AUGUST 11, 2015 AT 4:00 PM
CITY CENTER — COUNCIL CHAMBERS
1. Call to Order
Mayor Forcier called the workshop to order at 4:00 p.m. Members present included Mary
Christensen, Bill Arndt, Chad Czmowski and John Lofdahl. Others present were Matt Jaunich,
City Administrator and Marc Sebora, City Attorney.
REVIEW OF CHAPTER 112 — LIQUOR REGULATIONS
2. Liquor Regulations
Marc Sebora, City Attorney, presented before the Council. Mr. Sebora provided a presentation
on the various licenses that the City may issue to establishments. These licenses include on -sale
intoxicating, on -sale 3.2%, off -sale 3.2%, temporary intoxicating, short-term 3.2% malt liquor,
caterer, consumption & display, taprooms and brew pubs. Mr. Sebora also touched on
microdistillery cocktail rooms that are allowed by state law. The City doesn't currently regulate
licensing of distilled spirits. Mr. Sebora also spoke about the hours that liquor sales may be made
by City ordinance. Mr. Sebora noted that a recent legislative change was that liquor sales may be
sold starting at 8:00 a.m. on Sundays as opposed to 10:00 a.m. Mr. Sebora also spoke about the
City's restaurant definition — which requires a liquor/food sale ratio of 60% liquor sales to 40%
food sales.
Discussion was held in reference how to best designate areas where liquor can be consumed.
Chief Dan Hatten raised issues with confining areas where liquor can be consumed to best be
managed by law enforcement.
Gail Plaisance, Squeaky's, presented before the Council. Mr. Plaisance noted that when he has
held outdoor dances in the past, it is much more controllable to have a fenced in area. He noted
that he has hosted car shows in his parking lot more recently and liquor has not been allowed to
leave his restaurant.
Mr. Plaisance raised concerns with the manager/agent requirement of the code that mandates that
a resident of the city be named as a manager/agent of the licensed premises. He felt perhaps a
manager/agent could reside within a certain amount of miles of the city or a response time could
be established.
Council Member Lofdahl suggested that the resident agent/manager requirement be relaxed as
well as the seating capacity in a restaurant of 85 be reduced.
Matt Jaunich noted that really the only area where the city is more restrictive than state law is in
the food/liquor ratio requirement and the seating requirement. As far as fencing and designating
areas where liquor can be consumed is a policy decision of the City Council.
An individual from the audience spoke about having city celebrations and the allowance of liquor
to be consumed throughout certain areas.
Chief Dan Hatten spoke of the current process used by the police department when approving
events prior to them coming to the Council for final approval.
Craig Gill, Hutchinson Elks, presented before the Council. Mr. Gill spoke about the obstacles
businesses face when trying to put on events mainly due to the law changes that have occurred
over the last couple of decades.
Heather Landreville, Landy Lodge, presented before the Council. Ms. Landreville expressed that
she feels the most successful events overall are confined or contained because they are controlled.
Ms. Landreville feels that the current laws and ordinances address any issues regarding events her
establishment would want to sponsor.
Revisions to the liquor code that should be considered are reducing the restaurant seating capacity
from 85 to 30 and changing the manager/agent residency requirement to a response time. Mayor
Forcier suggested putting language in regarding microdistilleries since they are now allowed by
state law. The Council also suggested changing the hours of sales to begin at 8:00 a.m. on
Sunday to be consistent with the state law change.
3. Adj ournment
Motion by Arndt, second by Lofdahl, to adjourn the workshop at 5:25 p.m. Motion carried
unanimously.
ATTEST:
Gary T. Forcier
Mayor
Matthew Jaunich
City Administrator