The City of Minot’s Liquor and Gambling Control committee moved a proposed ordinance forward to the full City Council that would require Minot’s super clubs — establishments like Souris River Brewing, The Starving Rooster, 10 North Main, and Sweet & Flour to stop selling liquor when they close their kitchens.
Here’s the language from the meeting agenda regarding the proposed ordinance.
Proposed Alcoholic Beverages Ordinance Amendment
At a previous City Council meeting, this office was directed to revise the current liquor ordinances. This office substantially revised the organization of the ordinances to make the categories of licenses, fees, restrictions, and limitations more clear. This office also made some substantive changes based on issues raised to city staff, the committee, and the council:
- supper club licensees must provide verification of compliance with the licensee’s obligation to derive, on an annual basis, more income from the sale of food consumed on its business premises than it does from the sale of alcoholic beverages consumed on its business premises;
- supper club licensee shall only sell alcoholic beverages during the hours the full kitchen is in operation and the full menu is offered. Jurisdictions throughout the state have different restrictions and the council can consider what specific restrictions are appropriate:
- Fargo: “When the kitchen is not in full operation and a full menu service is not being offered to patrons, the sale and consumption of alcoholic beverages shall be discontinued within one hour after the cessation of full kitchen operation and the offering of a full menu service. It is the intention of this restriction that the purpose of an “F” license is to allow the sale of alcoholic beverages as an adjunct to the restaurant operation and not that of operating a full-time liquor establishment.” Fargo Mun. Code § 25-1506(I)(8).
- Grand Forks: “The hours within which sales of alcoholic beverages may be made . . . shall coincide with the hours the kitchen is in operation.” Grand Forks Mun. Code § 21-0205 (III) (Class 4)(F).
- Bismarck: Two food and beverage license categories (Bismarck Mun. Code § 5-01-04(2)(f), (i)):
- F Category: requires alcohol sales not be more than 45% of gross sales; no specific restriction on kitchen/full menu;
- I Category: requires alcohol sales not be more the 30% of gross sales; “[a]lcoholic beverages may be sold or served only during such times that full menu service is available.”
- Mandan: No specific restriction on kitchen/full menu.
- Williston: “When the kitchen is not in full operation and a full menu service is not being offered to patrons, the sale and consumption of alcoholic beverages shall be discontinued. It is the intention of this restriction that the purpose of a “specialty establishment on-sale beer and liquor license” is to allow the sale of alcoholic beverages as an adjunct to the restaurant operation and not that of operating a full-time liquor establishment.” Williston Mun. Code § 3-37(b)(19).
- Dickinson: “In order to qualify for an alcoholic beverage license under this [Restaurant On-Sale License] provision, it is necessary that the dining area and other food service facilities be in operation and be open for business.” Dickinson Mun. Code § 4.08.060(f).
- licensee that operates a restaurant which permits individuals under the age of twenty-one must provide verification of compliance with state law that the restaurant’s gross sales of food is at least equal to gross sales of alcoholic beverages consumed in the dining area.
Also included in the proposed amended ordinances is an additional category of license for private golf courses. The Minot Country Club requested a new category of alcohol license for their facility. This new class of license would go to the operator of the food and beverage concession at a private country club and it would be similar to a supper club license and would have the same proposed restrictions as the supper club license. The license would also specifically allow the sale of alcoholic beverages on the golf course at one location or mobile cart per nine holes; a licensee would be permitted to sell only alcoholic beverages and snack items at these locations or carts.
It is recommended the Committee approve the proposed amendments to the alcohol ordinances and forward them to the City Council for first reading at the April 6, 2015 regular meeting.
