Liquor Control Board - October 18, 2017 Minutes
Present: Commissioner Piepkorn, Police Chief Dave Todd, City Auditor Steve Sprague, Chris Ohman, Environmental Health,
Absent: Commissioner Gehrig
Others Present: Rick Carik, Rick’s; Jason Halverson, Reese Riley; Dustin Mitzel, Happy Harry’s; Keith Stensgaard, Sidestreet; Darrell Randle, Daran’s Southern Soul Food, Other members of the media, concerned citizens and other members of the industry.
Meeting was called to order at 1:30 P.M.
1. Commissioner Piepkorn called the meeting to order and asked if there were any additions or corrections to the minutes of September 20, 2017. There were no additions or corrections to the minutes of September 20, 2017. Moved by Todd, seconded by Ohman to approve the minutes of the September 20, 2017 meeting of the Liquor Control Board; all voted in favor, motion passed unanimously.
2. A. The first application to be considered today is for the issuance of a Class GH alcoholic beverage license to Reese Riley LLC d/b/a Reese Riley Bistro to be located at 2653 45th Street South.
Sprague commented this is the third time this business concept has applied for a license. The Liquor Board introduced this application last meeting, however, there were questions regarding the application and the applicant was not present to answer the questions. Jason Halverson offered the following explanation to the three applications, Christine has a business in Minneapolis where she has a liquor license, and being she has a license in Minnesota, she didn’t think her pending litigation would be a problem. The pending litigation involves her ex-spouse, who is now in prison. As to the current application, both parties have a financial risk, the original intent was for Jason to be an investor only, He will now take an active role in the management and operation of the business.
Chief Todd said the first application had pending litigation that still has not been resolved; the second application had recent criminal history. This application has some dated criminal and credit history. Taking this application at its face, there is no reason to deny the application
Moved by Todd, seconded by Sprague to approve the application for the issuance of a Class GH alcoholic beverage license to Reese Riley LLC d/b/a Reese Riley Bistro to be located at 2653 45th Street South, all voted in favor, motion passed unanimously.
B. The second application to be considered today is for the issuance of a Class GH alcoholic beverage license to Daran’s Southern Soul Food d/b/a
Daran’s Southern Soul Food to be located at 30 North University.
Sprague indicated this business would be located in the old Border Cities Towing building, substantial remodeling has been completed there.
Darrell Randle said he and his wife moved here from Miami in 2011 with a goal to open a southern food kitchen. They have been operating out of Square One’s kitchen and are looking forward to bringing their brand of southern comfort food to the Fargo region. Chief Todd asked about the credit history items, most of the items are minor, relatively small. Randle indicated his wife takes care of paying the bills and he would look into the outstanding items and getting them cleared up. He will come to the City Commission with a report as to the status of the outstanding bills.
Moved by Sprague, seconded by Ohman to approve the issuance of a Class GH alcoholic beverage license to Daran’s Southern Soul Food d/b/a Daran’s Southern Soul Food to be located at 30 University Drive North. All voted in favor, motion carried.
3. Sprague mentioned the office used to receive E permits on the day of the event, a few years back the ordinance was changed to require the application 7 days in advance of the event. Lately, we have been seeing more cases where the application is coming in less than 7 days before the event. Sprague’s concern is if a permit is denied because it is within 7 days of the event, who really get hurt, is it the non-profit or the bride that will not have alcohol at their event or the business? The 7 days was just so the Police Department would have notification of when alcohol will be served in a place it normally is not. Piepkorn suggested maybe the deadline should be 30 days, Chief Todd said 7 days was adequate. Sprague said Attorney Morris had some concerns about adding a late fee. Sprague will confer with Attorney Morris and come back with a recommended change.
There being no further business to come before the Liquor Control Board, the meeting was adjourned at 1:50 p.m. The next regular meeting will be held Wednesday, November 15, 2017 at 1:30 p.m. in the City Commission Room.