The Crookston City Council is expected to vote today whether to allow city bars to remain open until 2 a.m.
The issue of amending the City Code ordinance on "Hours and Days of Liquor Sales" is on tonight's council agenda to be considered for a first reading, said Aaron Parrish, city administrator. The meeting is at 7 p.m. in City Hall council chambers, 124 N. Broadway.
Parrish said if the ordinance change survives today's expected vote, it would be considered again at the next City Council meeting Nov. 27.
Last month, the council voted 6-2 to have city staff draft an ordinance revision and have it ready by today, according to Betty Arvidson, clerk-treasurer. Arvidson said council member Wayne Melby brought the motion to the floor, and it was seconded by council member Marlys Mjoen.
Smoking ban
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A number of local pub owners, including Dave Thompson of Crook's Club, have called for a later closing time to offset losses they say they're experiencing since the state of Minnesota banned smoking in all public places Oct. 1.
"I'm hoping they cooperate and don't see it as a morality issue and instead see it more for what it is - it's a business issue," Thompson said of the council.
Last summer, Thompson put his request in a letter to the council that was signed by most local bar owners.
Nearby citiesOther nearby communities, such as Grand Forks and East Grand Forks, already have gone to a 2 a.m. closing time for bars, and some bar owners think many Crookston residents are going to those cities instead of staying in town.
Several East Grand Forks bars have decided against the 2 a.m. closing time and returned to a 1 a.m. closing.
Council members Frank Lindgren and Keith Mykleseth opposed Melby's motion to put the matter on the council's agenda. Both have expressed their opposition in the past when the matter has been brought up at city meetings.
