HomeMy WebLinkAbout1972/06/26 - ADMIN - Minutes - City Council - RegularMINUTES
SPECIAL CITY COUNCIL MEETING
ST. LOUIS PARK, MINNESOTA
June 26, 1972
The meeting was called to order by President Pro Tem Thiel at 7:15 p.a.
Comcilinea present were
Frank Fleetham
Richard Graves
Rose -Mary Griak
Lyle Hanks
James Heltzer
Leonard Thiel
Also present were: Asst. City Manager, City Attorney, Police Chief and
Acting Secretary .
The City Attorney gave a summation of the case involving the violation of
the sale of intoxicating liquor to a minor at Reiss' Off -Sale Liquor Store,
6900 W. Lake Street. He explained that the hearing was on this charge.
8e then reviewed the background of the case for the benefit of the Council.
The case involved Terry Allen Johnson who had entered Reiss' Off -Sale Liquor
Store shortly before 10:00 p.m., April 29, 1972 and had bought two six
packs of GM Malt Liquor.
The Attorney reported that Mr. Johnson appeared in Hennepin County Municipal
Court on May $, 1972 and pleaded guilty to a charge of possession of as
alcoholic beverage. The court levied a fine of $25.00. The Attorney
further stated that a complaint had been filed against the employes of the
store, Bruce Norman Peterson, and that he pleaded guilty in Henneptm Camty
municipal Court on May 22, 1972 to the charge of illegal sale of alseholis
beverage to a minor and was fined $50.00.
The City Attorney then asked that documentary evidence be received by 0*
Mayor Pro•Tem on behalf of the Council and declared to be findings of
fact. These documents included the notice of hearing, subpoenas vitb
proof t of service,transcripts of proceedings of Hennepin County Ikmi,91'
Court," and copies of the proceedings and records of the St. Louis Part
Police Department,
*• Thiel asked if the licensee cared to make a statement at this time.
Ke did not.
leery All., Johnson was sworn and told how he had purchased
crate at Reiss' Liquor Store. He stated that no one had
identification; was not required to sign any affidavit. He
that he had
never bought alcoholic beverages at this or any
Ilk the City .
194
the alcoholic
asked him tot
further stated
other store
Special City Council Minutes, June 26, 1972
Mr. Bruce N. Peterson was the clerk who sold the alcoholic r
eveage to
Mr. Johnson. Mr. Thiel asked how long Mr. Peterson h
ad or
Reiss' and he responded that he had worked there for five years.
Mr. Reltzer asked whether the store and Mr. Peterson had used .affidawLts
in the past and Mr. Peterson responded that he used the affidavit betwoon
two and four times a week but that Mr. Johnson looked old enough a
it
was closing time so no identification was requested.
Mr. Thiel asked if Mr. Peterson was aware of the tendency o petetsoe
try and buy alcoholic beverages right before closing ticy•
had not been aware of that up until this time.
Police office Fitzgerald told the Council what had happened anApril
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9th972
leading up to the arrest of Mr. Johnson. The police had parked outside
store shortly before closing and had seen Mr. Johnson go into the store
and then came out with the alcoholic beverage. When questioned by officers.
Mr. Johnson told them he was 20 years old and had not been checked for
identification.
Police Chief Sorensen pointed out that Reiss' store had cooperated by filling
out the affidavits. He also pointed out that it was a department practice
to post police outside all city liquor stores on Saturday near closing time
for protection and prevention against robbery. It was pointed out that the
store had one previous offense in 1965.
After deliberation, Mr. Heltzer moved,
the off -sale license for one (1) day,
unanimously.
seconded by Mr. Graves to suspend
July 7, 1972. Motion carried
Mr. Thiel pointed out that the minor should have been questioned and that
the employees should be aware of the trend of minors trying to buy alcoholic
beverages right before closing time. He also stressed extra caution to
be taken by liquor stores. Mr. Thiel stated that were it not for the
store's past record, the penalty would have been more severe.
The meeting was adjourned at 7:54 p.m.
Attest:
William
o, Actg. Secretary
195
el, Mayor
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