HomeMy WebLinkAbout1984/06/04 - ADMIN - Minutes - City Council - Regular (2)MINUTES
ADMINISTRATIVE HEARING
ST. LOUIS PARK CITY COUNCIL
June 4, 1984
A special meeting of the City Council was called to order by Mayor Hanks
at 7:00 p.m. The following Council members were present:
Ronald Backes
Thomas Duffy
Keith Meland
Larry Mitchell
Richard Strohl
Lyle Hanks
Also present were the City Manager, City Attorney and Acting Chief of
Police.
The City Attorney reviewed the facts of the case which occurred on March
16, 1983, when uniformed officers responded to a call that someone had
broken out windows in the back door of the Cassic Motor Company. At the
scene, investigating officers identified an 18 -year old male who was intoxica-
ted and who was also yelling and swearing. He informed the officers he
was an employee and was responsible for the broken windows at the establish-
ment. He was subsequently arrested and charged with criminal damaged property.
On September 7, 1983 Mark Daniel Holdridge, age 18, pled guilty and was
given a 10 -day sentence stayed for one year on the condition he had no
similar offense and that he make restitution for the damaged property.
The manager, who at the time was intoxicated and taken to the detoxification
center, was subsequently charged with allowing unauthorized persons on
the premises after hours. The manager, Michael Joseph Zacher, pled guilty
on March 12, 1984 to allowing unauthorized persons on the premises after
hours. Mr. Zacher was fined $500, $400 of this was stayed and a $110 fine
was paid. There were no other conditions to the sentence.
The City Attorney continued that the record included notice of hearing,
the police department report and the transcript of the municipal court
hearings. He advised the Council that the purpose of the administrative
hearing being held was an investigation of the liquor license violation
and was not a judicial proceeding.
Mr. Steve Gold, owner and operator of Classic Motor Car, appeared before
the Council stating it was his policy to begin asking customers to leave
at 1:00 a.m. and that everyone is clear of the establishment by 1:30 a.m.
On the particular evening in question, he left at 11:30 p.m., receiving
a phone call at 4:00 a.m. Because of this incident, the two employees
involved had been fired and the manager demoted to a bartender position.
Councilman Strohl asked Mr. Gold what his understanding was of what happened.
14r. Gold responded he understood there were four or five persons on the
premises and that some windows had been broken.
Acting Chief of Police Percy Morris reviewed the record and advised Council
that on April 15, 1980 there was an incident of a juvenile purchasing
liquor; on January 4, 1981 there was an incident of a private party being
held in violation of the liquor laws.
Mayor Hanks inquired as to whether or not the employees of the establishment
had attended previously -held liquor education meetings. Chief Morris respond-
ed that they had come this past year and anticipated their attendance
this coming year.
It was moved by Councilman Meland, seconded by Councilman Backes, to take
action and impose a penalty.
The motion passed 6-0.
Relative to the penalty, it was moved by Councilman Meland, seconded by
Councilman Backes, to suspend the liquor license of the Classic Motor
Car for one day, specifically the day of Friday, June 8.
Councilman Martin arrived at 7:15 p.:.
Councilman Martin stated he felt corrective action had been taken by the
owner and that this action was sufficient.
The original motion was amended to specify the day of Friday, June 15.
Councilman Duffy suggested that the penalty be a five-day suspension which
would be stayed, but invoked if a future violation should occur. Should
that violation occur, it would result in an automatic five-day suspension
of the establishment's license.
Mayor Hanks felt that the penalty should be a different day of the week
then Friday which was a large volume day for the establishment.
On the amended motion, those in favor were Councilmen Meland, Mitchell,
Strohl, Backes. Opposed were Councilmen Duffy, Martin and Mayor Hanks.