Title
Urging Governor Tim Walz to support Saint Paul’s struggling bars and restaurants by approving a temporary “take out liquor” for bars and restaurants impacted by Emergency Executive Order 20-04 and the COVID-19 pandemic.
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WHEREAS, On March 16, 2020, Governor Tim Walz, closed on-premise service for bars and restaurants in Minnesota until at least May 1, to protect public safety and slow the spread of coronavirus; and
WHEREAS, Minnesota restaurants are still allowed to deliver food and provide curbside takeout; and
WHEREAS, The Saint Paul City Council understands and supports this decision and praises Governor Walz for his handling of the crisis to slow the spread of the virus; and
WHEREAS, The City Council is concerned about the many Saint Paul bar and restaurant employees and employers who are facing job losses and continued expenses; and
WHEREAS, Alcohol is responsible for up to 20 or 30% of restaurant sales across the country and the City Council sees “take out alcohol” as one means for restaurants to make up for lost profits during this time of crisis; and
WHEREAS, Other states, including Texas, New York, Maryland, Colorado, Illinois, and New Hampshire, have issued executive orders allowing “take out liquor”;
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED, that the Saint Paul City Council calls on the Governor to issue an additional emergency order allowing all current on-sale alcohol retailers to temporarily sell pre-packaged alcoholic beverages off-sale - both in carry-out and delivery, with the following guidelines:
· Bars and restaurants would be required to sell food with all take-out liquor orders;
· All alcohol sold off-sale would be in pre-packaged, closed containers;
· Beer sales (and seltzers, ciders, malt alternative beverages, etc.) be limited to pre-packaged products, with a maximum amount of 144 oz per order (the equivalent of 12 cans of 12 oz beer or 9 cans of 16 oz beer);
· Wine sales be limited to 1500 ml of wine, which is the equivale...
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