Liquor Control Board - January 21, 2026 Minutes

Agenda Items Are:
1) Approval of Minutes – December 17, 2025 Regular Meeting
• Motion: Approve minutes of the December 17, 2025 regular meeting: Brekke
• Second: Doyle
• Vote: Passed Unanimously
2) Special Event Permit Process
a. Update & Application Clarification
• Clarified distinction between the Special Event Committee process and the Class E off-site process for City of Fargo liquor license holders.
• Committee meets monthly; target to bring proposal to City Commission in March.
• Fees and specifics are still under review to ensure a smooth application.
• Purpose includes coordination with PD to validate who is authorized to serve, identification methods (wristbands/cups), and defining areas where alcohol is permitted (e.g., Red River Market, Street Fair).
• Not intended for private events such as wedding dances or work-related parties.
• Discussion included how state special event permit numbers would be collected from out-of-town vendors (e.g., Bismarck), with permits issued through the city office (not a liquor license).
Motion/Decision: Informational update only; no motion taken.
Follow-ups / Action Items:
• Finalize fee structure and application requirements.
• Coordinate PD awareness and identification protocols.
• Special Event Committee / Angie Bear
• Target: March 2026 City Commission presentation
3) Police Department presented by Lt. Nick Kjonaas
a. Monthly & General Report
• Incident Update (Dec 23): Officers responded to a licensed establishment where staff could not use the ID reader due to ID condition; officers verified ID validity and the transaction was completed.
• ID Scanners: Reported as effective tools from PD perspective; PD will assist when readers cannot verify IDs or discrepancies arise.
• Trends: Question raised about fewer altercations and police involvement; Lt. Kjonaas is new to the role and will explore trends moving forward.
• Board credited PD and industry for increased proactive measures (e.g., walkthroughs), noting positive reception from patrons.
Motion/Decision: Informational update only; no motion taken.
Follow-ups / Action Items:
• Explore and report on incident trend data as role stabilizes.
__4) Wine Accessory License Class W __
a. Wine Accessory; Off-sale of open bottle to take home)
• Brought forward for action following prior discussion.
• Board discussion noted evolution from solving “unfinished table bottles” to broader off-sale scenarios (e.g., two bottles per person; fairness relative to AB license holders; market dynamics; enforcement challenges; and prior issues with a similar downtown event license).
• Motion: Approve the wine accessory license and forward to City Commission: Hackman
• Second: No second received.
• Vote: 4 to 1, item did not pass.
5) Sky Dine Liquor License
a. New Classification for Airport Terminal (Post-Security Possession)
b. Presentation by Austin Sejnoha, Executive Vice President of Sky Dine and Paula Ekman, Airport Authority.
• Proposal: Create a new license classification enabling passengers to possess alcoholic beverages within post-security (“sterile”) areas beyond the immediate bar/service area.
• Delineation of Alcohol Service Area (operationally controlled by Sky Dine) and Alcohol Possession Areas (general passenger seating and concourse), with prohibited areas (restrooms, children’s play area, nursing/sensory rooms, etc.).
• Temporary layout uses stanchions; permanent layout would rely on built walls & clear boundaries.
• Containers: Use of clearly marked cups/containers to visually identify lawful purchases.
• Sales Controls: Proposed limit of no more than two alcoholic beverages per person per transaction, with ID verification and bartender re-evaluation at each sale.
• Board Concerns & Requirements Discussed:
o Monitoring & Responsibility: If possession is permitted throughout the green areas, Sky Dine must have a plan to actively monitor service and compliance beyond the bar, consistent with other large venues (e.g., FargoDome, Newman Outdoor Field). Signs do not remove responsibility.
o Family Zones: Establish alcohol-free seating areas beyond play rooms; dedicate seating for families who prefer alcohol-free spaces.
o Enforcement & Underage Risk: Address scenarios where 21+ patrons purchase drinks and pass them to minors in possession areas; clarify airport security/PD role.
o State Licensing: Engage the ND Attorney General’s office (state alcohol licensing) regarding footprint rules (line-of-sight, service area approval, etc.) and compliance with state law.
o Comparative Practices: Provide examples from Minot and Bismarck, and other regional airports where concourse possession is allowed.
• Airport Context: National prevalence of concourse possession; capacity constraints relative to large aircraft (e.g., Las Vegas flights) and evolving amenity mix.
• Process Note: Angie will work with City Attorney to draft ordinance/license language. Time sensitivity noted by airport; Chair emphasized adherence to standard policy development timelines.
• Motion/Decision: No formal motion; proceed with drafting and working group coordination.
Follow-ups / Action Items:
• Draft license classification & ordinance language (define service vs possession areas; container policy; quantity limits; prohibited zones; monitoring responsibility & staffing plan; enforcement coordination).
o Angie Bear & City Attorney; include Board reps and Airport Authority in working sessions
o Due: Initiate promptly; timeline TBD by city process
• Provide examples of airports allowing concourse possession (ND and regional), including policies and enforcement models.
o Airport Authority / Sky Dine
o Due: Prior to ordinance draft review
• Consult ND Attorney General’s office on state licensing requirements and acceptable service footprints.
o Sky Dine / Airport Authority (with City Attorney)
o Due: Prior to finalizing proposal
Follow-ups / Action Items:
• Review and present audit findings.
• Due: Next month’s meeting
Adjournment
• Adjourned: 2:16pm