(A) Each application shall be in the form prescribed by the Commissioner of Public Safety. The application shall state, in addition to any other information required by the Council, the name of the applicant, the age of the applicant, representations as to the character of the applicant with any references as the Council may require, the citizenship of the applicant, the type of license applied for, the business in connection with which the proposed license would be issued and its location, whether the applicant is owner and operator of the business, and how long the applicant has been in that business at that location. Every application for issuance or renewal of a license shall also include a copy of each summons received by the applicant under M.S. § 340A.802, as it may be amended from time to time, during the previous year.
(B) On the initial application for an on-sale intoxicating liquor license or an application for a transfer of an existing on-sale intoxicating liquor license, the city shall conduct a preliminary background and financial investigation of the applicant. If the Council, or the Commissioner on the Commissioner's own initiative, determines that a comprehensive background investigation of the applicant is necessary, the Council may conduct the investigation itself or contract with the Commissioner for the investigation. In addition, an investigation may be required prior to renewal of an existing on-sale-license, when the Council deems it in the public interest. An investigation fee, as set forth in the fee schedule, shall be charged an applicant by the city if the investigation is conducted within the state, or the actual cost, not to exceed $10,000, if investigation is required outside the state. No license shall be issued, transferred or renewed if the results of the investigation show, to the satisfaction of the Council, that issuance, transfer or renewal would not be in the public interest.
(C) Prior to approving an application for issuance of a license, the Council shall provide an opportunity for interested persons to speak for or against issuance of the license. After full consideration of all relevant factors, including results of the investigation conducted pursuant to division (B) above and the comments of interested persons, the Council shall decide whether or not to approve the application and issue the license.
(D) No on-sale wine license or off-sale intoxicating liquor license shall become effective until approved by the Commissioner of Public Safety.
(E) Each license shall be issued only to the applicant and only for the premises described in the application. A license may not be transferred without the prior approval of the Council. Where a license is held by a corporation, a change in the ownership of 10% or more of the stock of the corporation must be reported in writing to the Council within ten days after the transfer.
(Ord. 179, passed 5-3-93; Am. Ord. 272, passed 3-17-14)