Loading...
HomeMy WebLinkAbout6.i. Resolution and Consent Order Imposing Civil Penalty on Supervalu Inc. DBA Cub Liquors EXECUTIVE SUMMARY City Council Regular Meeting: October 5, 2020 AGENDA ITEM: Resolution and Consent Order Imposing Civil Penalty on Supervalu Inc. DBA Cub Liquors AGENDA SECTION: Consent PREPARED BY: Mikael Dahlstrom, Chief of Police Erin Fasbender, City Clerk AGENDA NO. 6.i. ATTACHMENTS: Resolution and Consent Order APPROVED BY: LJM RECOMMENDED ACTION: Motion to approve a resolution and consent order imposing civil penalty on Supervalu Inc. DBA Cub Liquors for a violation of the City's liquor license regulation BACKGROUND Compliance checks utilizing a cooperating underage purchaser were conducted on August 29, 2020 at the City's licensed liquor license establishments. The purchaser entered Supervalu Inc. DBA Cub Liquors, 3792 150th St W Rosemount, and was sold an alcohol beverage by an employee of the establishment. This is a criminal violation by the employee and a violation of the City's ordinance regarding liquor licenses. This is the establishment’s first violation within a three-year period. The sale of an alcoholic beverage to an underage person is a violation of City Code 3-1: Liquor Regulations. Following the illegal service, police staff met with the management of the establishment to discuss the violation. In addition, the expectations and requirements of the City Code were reviewed, and the policies and procedures of the business related to the proper identification of persons purchasing alcohol were discussed. The licensee has agreed to the terms of the attached Resolution and Consent Order imposing a $500 civil penalty on the license holder for this violation. The penalty amount is the minimum required for the first violation within a three year period. Cub Liquors has made the $500 payment to the city. RECOMMENDATION Staff recommends a motion to approve a resolution and consent order imposing civil penalty on Supervalu Inc. DBA Cub Liquors for a violation of the City's liquor license regulation. 1 CITY OF ROSEMOUNT DAKOTA COUNTY, MINNESOTA RESOLUTION 2020 - XX RESOLUTION AND CONSENT ORDER IMPOSING CIVIL PENALTY ON SUPERVALU INC. DBA CUB LIQUORS WHEREAS, the City of Rosemount (the “City”) has issued a license for the sale of alcoholic beverages to Supervalu Inc. DBA Cub Liquors (the “Licensee”); and WHEREAS, an illegal activity has occurred on the licensed premises of the Licensee, specifically, service of an alcoholic beverage to a person under the age of 21 by an employee of Licensee on August 29, 2020, in violation of Minnesota Statutes, Section 340A.503 (the “Violation”); and WHEREAS, the occurrence of the Violation is not disputed by the Licensee; and WHEREAS, the City Council regards such activities as very serious matters warranting the sanctions hereinafter set forth; and WHEREAS, this is the first liquor violation at the establishment of the Licensee within a three year period; and WHEREAS, the Licensee has been generally cooperative in the investigation of this matter, has demonstrated a willingness and desire to work with City staff in resolving this matter without putting the City to the expense of an administrative hearing, has expressed an understanding of the seriousness of the offenses, and has committed to ensuring that such offenses do not reoccur; and WHEREAS, Licensee has worked with staff to identify personnel policies and training, operational practices, and other means intended to minimize or eliminate such violations in the future and to assure a more safe, responsible and lawful liquor operation, which have been set forth in written policies and procedures adopted by Licensee, a copy of which is attached hereto as Attachment One, and hereby made a part hereof (hereinafter the “Policies and Procedures”); and WHEREAS, Licensee has represented, and by execution of a copy of this consent order agreed, that it will faithfully and fully comply with all of the Policies and Procedures set forth in Attachment One; and WHEREAS, on the basis of such representation and agreement by Licensee and assuming continuing compliance therewith, the City is willing to limit sanctions for the Violation to a civil penalty in the amount of Five Hundred Dollars ($500); and WHEREAS, were it not for such representation and agreement of continuing compliance with the Policies and Procedures by Licensee, the City would not be willing to so limit 2 sanctions and is doing so solely on the basis of such representation and agreements of Licensee and on the basis of the agreement by Licensee that the matter of the sanctions to be imposed for the Violations may be reopened and reconsidered, pursuant to Minnesota Statutes, Section 340A.415, in the event Licensee fails to comply fully with all of the Policies and Procedures at any time during the three (3) year period following the date of this Resolution, all as hereinafter provided; and WHEREAS, the Council has determined that this Consent Order, resolving issues relating to sanctions to be imposed by reason of the above-described violations is reasonable, necessary and in the best interests of the public; and WHEREAS, the Licensee has freely agreed to waive a statement of written charges and a hearing thereon and to pay the civil penalty hereinafter described, for the consideration set forth herein. The Licensee acknowledges and agrees that it freely executed this agreement, without threat of criminal prosecution, for the purpose of avoiding a public hearing and resolving issues relating to sanctions to be imposed by the City as the licensing authority, pursuant to Minnesota Statutes, Section 340A.415. ON THE BASIS OF THE FOREGOING, THEREFORE, IT IS RESOLVED THAT THE CITY COUNCIL ORDERS AND AGREES AS FOLLOWS: 1. The Licensee will pay to the City Finance Director, within ten days of receipt of written notification of approval of this Consent Order by the City Council, the sum of Five Hundred Dollars ($500). 2. Licensee waives a written statement of charges, notice of hearing and hearing to which it is entitled by Minnesota Statutes, Section 340A.415. 3. The undersigned admits the occurrence of the Violation. 4. The City will impose, as the sole civil sanction for the Violations, a civil penalty in the amount of $500 payable as set forth in paragraph 1 hereof. This agreement shall not limit the right of the City to pursue civil remedies or to take any action with respect to the license that is authorized by state law or City Code for any activity to which this agreement does not specifically apply and that is a violation of state law or City Code. 5. Except as provided in paragraph 6, in the event of future violations of state law or City Code by Licensee, no additional penalty shall be imposed for unlawful activity covered by this agreement. However, admissions of unlawful activity described herein may be taken into consideration in determining appropriate sanctions in any future cases. 6. In the event the City Council determines that Licensee has failed to comply fully with the Policies and Procedures at any time during the three year period following the date of this Resolution, Licensee agrees that the City may revoke or suspend the Licensee’s license or impose civil penalties for the Violations pursuant to Minnesota Statutes, Section 340A.415, provided the total penalty including the penalty agreed to pursuant to paragraph 1 hereof shall not exceed amounts authorized by law. 3 7. Licensee understands and agrees: a. That this agreement does not constitute an agreement not to bring criminal charges for activities described herein; b. That a decision whether to bring any charges rests within the discretion of the City prosecuting attorney, the County attorney, or other authorized law enforcement agencies; c. That the Licensee freely enters into this agreement without any promises from the City that no criminal charges will be brought; d. That this agreement is entered into for the sole purpose of resolving and settling any potential civil sanctions imposed pursuant to Minnesota Statute Section 340A.415, and not for the purpose of resolving or settling any potential criminal issues; and e. That in the event criminal charges are brought against the undersigned, the Licensee or any of its employees for activities described herein, Licensee will not contest the validity of this agreement, repudiate, or otherwise challenge this agreement in any way, by reason of the initiation or prosecution of such criminal proceedings. LICENSEE Supervalu Inc. DBA Cub Liquors _____ Print Name Title _____ Signature By Order of the City Council of the City of Rosemount this 6th day of October, 2020. William H. Droste, Mayor ATTEST: ____ Erin Fasbender, City Clerk A-1 ATTACHMENT ONE LICENSEE ALCOHOL SALES & SERVICE POLICIES AND PROCEDURES Restricted Item Sales Policy To ensure that we are being a responsible neighbor in each of the communities that we serve, the following policy regarding age restricted item sales has been developed. Cub Foods is committed to maintaining its integrity and keeping age restricted items out of the hands of minors. This is why it's important for every associate to understand and comply with this policy and also all Federal, State, County and City regulations regarding the sale of age restricted items. Associates who violate this policy will receive disciplinary action, up to and including termination, and may also be subject to personal criminal prosecution and fines. Any fines or penalties you receive as a result of violating the law become your responsibility. The following information is intended to educate and train all associates who work in a Cub Liquor and/or Cub Wine & Spirits store. Restricted items include, but are not limited to the following: Alcoholic Beverages Alcoholic Beverages Customers need to be a minimum of 21 years of age to purchase alcoholic beverages. For those customers who appear to be 40 years old or younger, you will be required to ask to see their identification to enter their Date of Birth into the register. For customers who appear to be over 40 years of age, you are required to ask them for their Date Of Birth to enter into the register. The register system will then determine if the customer is old enough to purchase the alcohol and if it's within the hours allowed for sale of alcoholic beverages. The register system will not allow alcoholic beverages to be sold one minute before or after these times because different states and municipalities have varying times when these products can be sold. No person under the age of 21 may be employed at a Cub Liquor and/or Cub Wine & Spirits store. Acceptable Forms of Identification Valid driver's license Valid state identification card Valid military identification Valid passport Valid alien identification card Unacceptable Forms of Identification Birth Certificate Social Security Card Any expired or damaged document. Whoever scans/rings the alcohol is responsible for examining the ID and verifying that the purchaser is of legal age to buy age restricted items before scanning or ringing them up. Overriding the "Check ID" prompt or typing in a "fake" Date of Birth within the register system prior to scanning an age -restricted item is prohibited and will lead to disciplinary action up to and including termination. Cub Front End Operations— Restricted Item Sales Policy Restricted Item Sales Policy Verifying Identification Hold the ID in your hand • Is it the right size? Check the lamination. Are the edges tight? Does it appear to be glued over? Match the person to the photo Check height, weight, and eye color (when printed on the ID). Check the expiration date. Do not accept an expired ID unless it is accompanied by proper validating forms Associates shall not sell age restricted items to anyone who appears to be under the legal age and who fails to provide acceptable forms of identification, or appears to be intoxicated. Associate Acknowledgment Cub Foods expects all associates to conduct themselves with integrity and honesty. I have read and thoroughly understand the contents of the Cub Foods Restricted Item Sales Policy. By my signature below, I acknowledge that any violations of this policy will be subject to disciplinary action up to and including termination. Associate Name (Print): Associate Signature: Trainer Information: Trainer Name (Print): Trainer Signature: Date: / J Date: / 2 Cub Front End Operations — Restricted Item Sales Policy