Liquor Control Board - January 20, 2021 Minutes
LIQUOR CONTROL BOARD
January 20, 2021 1:30 P.M.
Present: Police Chief David Zibolski, City Auditor Sprague, Grant Larson, Environmental Health
Absent: Commissioner Piepkorn and Commissioner Gehrig
Others Present: Rick Carik, Rick’s; Dan Hurder, Boiler Room; Duane Litton, Duffy’s; Keith Stensgard & Dave Glessner, Sidestreet; Aaron Hill, Fargo Brewing; Francis Brown, African International Restaurant & Nightclub and other interested parties.
Meeting was called to order at 1:37 P.M.
1. City Auditor Sprague called the meeting to order and asked if there were any additions or corrections to the minutes of October 21, 2020. There were no additions or corrections to the minutes of October 21, 2020. Moved by Larson, seconded by Zibolski to approve the minutes of the October 21, 2020 meeting of the Liquor Control Board all voted in favor, motion passed unanimously.
2. A. Request from Northern Prairie Performing Arts d/b/a The Stage at Island Park to temporarily relocate the licensed premise from 333 4th Street South to 6 Broadway during the time the 333 4th Street South building is reconstructed. This is anticipated to be about 2 years.
Moved by Zibolski, seconded by Larson to approve the relocation of the liquor license premise of Northern Prairie Performing Art to 6 Broadway. Motion carried.
B. Request from La Fiesta Mexican and American Grill to add an additional partner. The background check was completed and no concerns were found.
Moved by Zibolski, seconded by Larson to approve the addition of the new partner. Motion carried.
3. Request from Fargo Brewing to amend the licensed premise to reflect the remodeling work they are completing. Aaron Hill from Fargo Brewing indicated they have made a significant investment in upgrading the outside structure and parking lot and also repurposing the inside where they are moving the tap room and creating an event space. Sprague asked if the application was filed with the State, Hill indicated they had.
Moved by Larson, seconded by Zibolski to approve the amended licensed premise.
4. Chief Zibolski indicated the police department was tasked with compliance and enforcement of the Governor’s executive order regarding COVID regulations. They conducted well over 200 compliance checks, for the most part compliance was attained through education and training. There were two businesses where officers made repeated trips to the location. At African International Restaurant and Night Club officers found limited or no masking and people engaged in dancing on the dance floor. After numerous compliance checks and education, compliance was finally achieved. There have been no further issues. At the Empire bar there was little or no masking and the occupancy capacity was not being observed. Several compliance checks were used to fully gain compliance, there have been no further issues reported.
The recommendation is to receive and file the reports, no further action at this time. Moved by Larson, seconded by Sprague to receive and file.
5. Sprague commented the City established a Business Relief package for bars and restaurants that consisted of three segments. First, Fargo Cass Public Health fees will be reimbursed in February, second, the liquor license for the July 1 2021 to June 30 2022 fees will be waived and third, the City of Fargo utility bills for water, sewer, etc. will be waive for 6 months, these bills need to be direct billed not paid by a landlord then redistributed.
6. Sprague commented the Brady Martz has begun the liquor audits for 2020.
7. Sprague mentioned the server training is on line and virtual with the hope of in person training in March
There being no further business to come before the Liquor Control Board, the meeting was adjourned at 1:57 p.m. The next regular meeting will be held Wednesday, February 17 2021 at 1:30 p.m. in the City Commission Room.