Monthly Archives: April 2013

Alcohol at Lake Harriet Likely Weeks Away

The following article by Eric Roper was published on the StarTribune Blog on April 29, 2013.  Parkwatch Comment: It is interesting to note that of the five individuals who spoke at the Public Hearing, only one was in support of the wine and beer license–and that individual was an employee of Bread & Pickle.  Of the individuals who submitted written comments earlier, the tally was six against and two for.  Also, it is important to note that individuals wanting wine or beer with their hotdog  or appetizer will not get it.  Wine and beer will be sold and served ONLY with a full meal–not with snacks and appetizers.

ALCOHOL AT LAKE HARRIET LIKELY WEEKS AWAY

Visitors to Lake Harriet will soon be able to enjoy a couple of beers with the summer music shows that draw people to the lake on summer evenings.

The City Council’s regulatory committee voted Monday to approve a wine and beer license for Bread & Pickle, the lake’s two-year-old eatery adjacent to the band shell. The action is subject to approval from the full council, expected on May 10.

Two other park eateries, Sea Salt at Minnehaha Falls and Tin Fish at Lake Calhoun, already serve alcohol. Owner Kim Bartmann said it will likely take between four and six weeks before they can start serving.

The plan requires the restaurant to install a series of benches and planters to designate where drinking is allowed (see diagram). Customers will need to order food to purchase alcohol. A staff report says Bartmann plans to have indoor seating for 25 people and outdoor seating for 108 people.

Bread & Pickle isn’t yet open for the summer season because of the extended cold weather. Bartmann said they plan to open by at least Mother’s Day.

The alcohol plan didn’t pass without criticism. Several people expressed concern during public testimony about congestion and the implication of more drinking in public parks.

“This area is going to be taken over by the drinking crowd. Period,” said Bob Carney, a perennial candidate for mayor and other offices.

“I fear that cluttering up the area with the required planters will create barriers and congestion for parents with kids in strollers, people walking dogs, and individuals who may be using wheelchairs or scooters,” said Arlene Fried, a founder of the watchdog group Park Watch.

The Park Board, which operates separately from the City Council, supported the application earlier this month in a 5 to 4 vote. In the process, they scaled back the area where alcohol would be allowed.

Council members who supported the plan Monday said they were respecting the Park Board’s autonomy.

“The public and the city of Minneapolis… has been very clear in saying that they want a public body that is responsible for making decisions about the parks system,” said council member Elizabeth Glidden, the committee chair.

“This is their decision to make,” said Council Member Lisa Goodman. “And we are not in a position to be overriding them on a close vote. That seems a little political to me.”

The Linden Hills Neighborhood Council supported the license application. An online petition: http://www.ipetitions.com/petition/petition-to-allow-beer-wine-at-lake-harriets/ supporting alcohol at Bread & Pickle has 556 signatures.

Opposing Bread & Pickle's Application for a Wine and Beer License

The following concerns were expressed during the City’s Public Hearing on April 29, 2013 for Bread & Pickle’s application for a wine and beer license.

OPPOSING BREAD & PICKLE’S APPLICATION FOR A WINE AND BEER LICENSE

I am here today to express concerns about Bread & Pickle’s application for a wine and beer license at the Lake Harriet concession stand. I laud Kim Bartmann for all she has done with her concession stand at Lake Harriet, but I have serious reservations about her current proposal for a wine and beer license.

The Lake Harriet concession stand is on a prime piece of lake-shore real estate that is highly congested during the summer season, especially during the evening and weekend concerts that can attract as many as 2,200 music lovers. The lake-shore plaza is loved by many and attracts a variety of users–parents with toddlers and kids in strollers, people walking dogs, and individuals who may be using wheel chairs or scooters. The Lake Harriet concession stand is different than any other in Minneapolis in that every summer night, it has up to 2.200 people crowding into the surrounding area.

I was there recently to imagine what it would look like on a beautiful summer evening when it has been transformed into a wine and beer garden with the numerous planters on the perimeter as required by the laws governing wine and beer licenses.

I fear that cluttering up the area with the required planters will create barriers and congestion for parents with kids in strollers, people walking dogs, and individuals who may be using wheel chairs or scooters. I just don’t think that the Lake Harriet concessions area is large enough to safely accommodate the existing traffic AND the expansive wine and beer garden that Kim Bartmann is asking for.

The Lake Harriet concessions stand was never intended to be a wine and beer garden. Please respect Lake Harriet and its history for what it is–a public park.

Thank you.

Arlene M. Fried

Co-founder of Park Watch

http://www.mplsparkwatch.org

Lake Harriet is a regional park – Point of clarification

LAKE HARRIET IS A REGIONAL PARK–POINT OF CLARIFICATION

Lake Harriet is not just a city park. It is a regional park. Because Lake Harriet is a regional park, it is important that individuals who do not live in Minneapolis realize that they can speak about the Bread & Pickle Wine and Beer License at the Monday, April 29, 2013 Public Hearing.

Heads-Up for the May 1, 2013 Park Board Meeting

HEADS-UP FOR THE May 1, 2013 PARK BOARD MEETING

5:00 P.M. REGULAR BOARD MEETING. The meeting will be held in the boardroom at Park Board headquarters, 2117 West River Road, just north of Broadway Pizza.

5:30 P.M. OPEN TIME. Speakers can call 612-230-6400 before 3:00 p.m. the day of the meeting to sign up or they can sign up at the Board meeting prior to the start of “Open Time.”

6:30 P.M. PUBLIC HEARING. Park Siding Park Playground and Park Restoration

The following topics are some agenda highlights:

–Approving a Six-Month Contract with the Regents of the University of Minnesota for Research Services to be Performed to Analyze the Historical Significance of the Grand Rounds in the amount of $7,000 with Funding from the Minnesota Historical Society

–Mandating Recycling at All Events that Are Held on Minneapolis Park & Recreation Board Properties Beginning January 1, 2014 and Requiring Staff to inform All Permit Holders and Event Coordinators of This Requirement During 2013

–Approving a Memorandum of Understanding with the Loppet Foundation for Development and Fundraising Related to the Proposed Silent Sport Center Area and Welcome Center Building at Theodore Wirth Regional Park

–Amending Professional Services Agreement #36304 with WSB and Associates, Inc. Related To the Dean Parkway/West Cedar Lake Trail Improvement Project in the Amount of $3,606 For a New Contract Total of $153,518

The complete agenda, with staff reports, for the MPRB Board of Commissioners’ meeting on Wednesday, May 1, 2013 is at http://minneapolisparksmn.iqm2.com

Also of interest and now available to the commissioners and the public are the monthly reports that Superintendent Miller has initiated for construction permits and for Planning Department projects. The availability of these reports is one of the important changes instituted by Superintendent Miller. Look for the links to these reports under Petitions and Communications in the agenda for the first Regular Meeting of the month.

View Minneapolis Park & Recreation Board meetings live from 5-9 p.m. on the Minneapolis Government Meeting Channel 79 on Comcast Cable. You may also view live meetings online on the Channel 79 webpage: http://www.minneapolismn.gov/tv/79

Regular meetings are typically re-telecast on Channel 79 on Saturdays and Sundays at 11 a.m. and on the second and fourth Wednesdays of the month at 5 p.m. Telecast schedules are subject to change.

Webcasts of MPRB regular board meetings are posted on the MPRB website two to five business days following each meeting and are available for viewing, along with webcasts for the recent two months, at http://www.minneapolisparks.org.

Board meeting agendas and related information are posted on http://www.minneapolisparks.org two business days prior to meetings.

The Park Board’s website is http://www.minneapolisparks.org. The phone number is 612-230-6400.

Arlene Fried

Co-founder of Park Watch

Agenda posted for Monday's public hearing for Bread and pickle

AGENDA POSTED FOR MONDAY’S PUBLIC HEARING FOR BREAD AND PICKLE

The Public Hearing for the alcohol license for Bread and Pickle will be during the meeting of the city’s Regulatory, Energy & Environment Committee on Monday, April 29, 2013, in room 317 City Hall. The meeting will begin at 1:30. Here is the agenda.

http://www.minneapolismn.gov/meetings/ree/WCMS1P-106232

Park Watch Comment on Liquor at Lake Harriet

A PARK WATCH COMMENT

We believe that many individuals who are looking forward to the enjoyment of beer and wine at the Lake Harriet concession stand are thinking that they will be able to enjoy their glass of wine or beer with an appetizer or snack of some sort. However, what we have learned is that, according to the ordinance governing the serving of beer and wine at Lake Harriet, “premises exempted from the seven (7) or more acre standard shall neither sell, serve or permit to be consumed any wine, or intoxicating malt beverage, unless the patron orders a meal, nor have a bar or bar area.”

That means that wine and beer can only be enjoyed at Lake Harriet if accompanied by a meal–and not with only snacks or appetizers. It is the law. See below.

Arlene Fried

Co-founder of Park Watch

_________________________________

Section 5. – City Council—Power to Make Ordinances.

The City Council shall have full power and authority to make, ordain, publish, enforce, alter, amend or repeal all such ordinances for the government and good order of the City, for the suppression of vice and intemperance, and for the prevention of crime, as it shall deem expedient, and in and by the same to declare and impose penalties and punishments, and enforce the same against any person or persons who may violate the provisions of any ordinance, passed and ordained by it, and all such ordinances are hereby declared to be and to have the force of law. Provided, that they be not repugnant to the laws of the United States or of this State, and for these purposes the said City Council shall have authority by such ordinances:

First.—To license and regulate exhibitions and shows of all kinds, including exhibitions of caravans, menageries, circuses, concerts, roller skating rinks, places of amusements and museums for which money is charged for entrance into the same, newspaper carriers and bootblacks, and theatrical performances, also to license and regulate all auctioneers, pawnbrokers, dealers in secondhand goods, junk dealers, keepers of employment offices and agencies, as well as all persons doing the business of seeking employment for others or procuring or furnishing employees for others, pool and billiard tables, bowling alleys, shooting galleries, taverns, restaurants, cafes and cafeterias, and all persons vending, dealing in or disposing of spirituous, vinous, fermented or malt liquors. Provided that no license shall be issued for any longer time than one year, and the City Council shall by ordinance determine the date of expiration of all licenses.

And provided further, that the power to regulate above given, shall be construed to include among other powers, the power to define who shall be considered as auctioneers, pawnbrokers, dealers in secondhand goods and junk dealers, and to compel each and every such person whether licensed or not to keep in such manner as it may direct open at all times for inspection, a record of all such property as it may designate, with the time when received, and the name, residence and description of the person from whom the same was received, and to make daily reports thereof to the police department of said city, as it shall direct. And also, among other powers, the power to require all persons doing the business of seeking employment for others, or procuring or furnishing employees for others, to keep open at all times for inspection, such records of their business as it [the council] may designate, and to furnish to every person with whom they may deal such written evidences of the transaction as it may designate, and to prescribe and punish all kinds of unfair dealings by such persons in the course of their said business, and to establish such rules of legal evidence as it may see fit for the proof of such unfair dealings.

Provided further that (except as to regularly licensed druggists, to sell for medicinal, chemical or mechanical purposes, not to be used or drunk upon the premises), no license shall be granted to any person or persons to vend, deal in, or dispose of any intoxicating spirituous, vinous, fermented or malt liquors except at a location within an area or district zoned by ordinance to permit the sale of liquor therein, and further subject to the following:

(a) If such liquor is not to be used or consumed on the premises, then only if said area or district, together with such other areas or districts contiguous thereto wherein such sale would be permitted by ordinance and by law, contains five (5) or more acres.

(b) If such liquor is to be consumed on the premises, then only if said area or district, together with such other areas or districts contiguous thereto wherein such consumption would be permitted by ordinance and by law, contains seven (7) or more acres, and then only if a substantial portion of the income to be derived from business conducted at such location is derived from the sale of food to be consumed on the premises and adequate facilities are provided therefor. The City Council shall, by ordinance, establish suitable and appropriate standards to determine whether a substantial amount of income is derived from the sale of food and to define adequate facilities for the consumption thereof on the premises.

(c) A license as described in (a) or in (b) above may be issued notwithstanding the requirement of area or sale of food for a location within the territory where issuance of such a license was permitted by law or by the provisions of this Charter on November 1, 1974, or for a location which at the time of issuance is being used for, or the latest use of which was for the sale of liquor under a similar type license.

Nothing herein shall authorize the City Council to issue liquor licenses in residence or office residence districts.

Nothing herein shall limit the authority of the City Council to impose by ordinance further restrictions or limitations on the granting of any liquor license.

No license as provided herein shall be issued except in such areas of the City as are zoned for commercial or industrial uses. Except as herein provided, all such on-sale and off-sale liquor establishments shall continue to be subject to the pertinent statutes of the State of Minnesota and the City ordinances of the City of Minneapolis. Except nothing in this Charter shall prohibit the issuance of an on-sale wine license as defined by the pertinent statutes of the State of Minnesota and the City Ordinances of the City of Minneapolis to a restaurant which gross receipts are at least seventy (70) percent attributable to the sale of food and otherwise meets the requirements of state law and city ordinance for said license. Such license may also include the on-sale of intoxicating malt beverages. The City Council shall, by ordinance, establish suitable and appropriate standards to assure that a premises exempted from the seven (7) or more acre standard shall neither sell, serve or permit to be consumed any wine, or intoxicating malt beverage, unless the patron orders a meal, nor have a bar or bar area. [emphasis added]

Public Hearing on Lake Harriet Liquor License

The City of Minneapolis has issued the following notice:

NOTICE OF PUBLIC HEARING

Date: Monday, April 29, 2013

Time: 1:30pm or shortly thereafter

Place: Minneapolis City Hall, Room 317

350 South 5th Street,

Minneapolis, MN 55415

Purpose: To present information and solicit comments for the application from Bread & Pickle on the following On-Sale Wine with strong beer license application.

Applicant’s Name (Legal Entity): Bread & Pickle, LLC

DBA/Trade Name: Bread & Pickle

Complete Address: 4135 W. Lake Harriet Pkwy

Minneapolis, MN 55410

Telephone Number: (612) 822-6302

Current License(s): Food Manufacturer

Requested License(s): On-Sale Wine with Strong Beer

Nature of Entertainment: Class “E” entertainment allows the use of radio, television, prerecorded music. No live entertainment is permitted.

Off Street Parking: The Minneapolis Zoning Department does not require additional off street parking.

You are invited to attend, express your opinions, and/or submit such in writing by contacting License Inspector Mohamed Ismail at [email protected] or 612-673-3904.

Information in Other Languages: Yog xav paub tshaj nos ntxiv, hu 612-673-2800. Macluumaad dheeri ah, kala soo xiriir 612-673-3500. Para mas información llame al 612-673-2700.

Star Trib: Alcohol Could be allowed at lake harriet

The following article by Eric Roper and Steve Brandt was published in the April 24, 2013 issue of the StarTribune:

Alcohol could be allowed at Lake Harriet

Will visitors to Lake Harriet’s refectory be able to enjoy a glass of wine or beer this summer?

The Minneapolis Park Board signed off on a resolution last week to support bringing alcohol to the lake’s two-year-old Bread & Pickle eatery.

The City Council still needs to approve the liquor license — a process that could take weeks — but it’s likely the business will be able to sell alcohol sometime this summer. Bread & Pickle hasn’t opened yet for the season.

Allowing the concession stand to sell beer and wine would bring it in line with Tin Fish and Sea Salt, at Lake Calhoun and Minnehaha Falls.

But don’t take that glass of beer too far. Alcohol isn’t allowed in city parks, except in specified areas. The size of that area was constrained by the Park Board (see http://www.startribune.com/local/blogs/203477841.html for diagrams).

“It’s a smaller area,” said owner Kim Bartmann, who first started pursuing the license in fall 2011. “I believe it’s going to be very hard operationally. But I believe that unless I do it, it won’t be able to be expanded later.”

Arlene Fried, a co-founder of Park Watch, spoke at the board meeting against the original plan for where drinking would be allowed. She said planters and tables will create “barriers and congestion” for people walking through.

“Allowing one use to dominate this compact and very popular public area is poor planning, and in this case, just plain dangerous,” Fried said in prepared remarks. “The Lake Harriet concessions stand was never meant to be a wine and beer garden any more than it was meant to be a Dairy Queen.”

Park Board O Ks Beer and Wine Sales At Lake Harriet

The following item by Chris Steller was reported in the Southwest Patch:

Minneapolis Park Board OKs Beer and Wine Sales at Lake Harriet

Proposal moves next to city council, media sources reported.

Lake Harriet is already wet, but food service options may soon get a little less dry, WCCO-TV reported Sunday: http://minnesota.cbslocal.com/2013/04/21/beer-wine-sales-heading-to-lake-harriet/

After a recent decision, beer and wine sales at Lake Harriet look more and more possible. In a 5-4 vote Wednesday, the Minneapolis Park Board approved [its] support [of] the liquor license application: http://minnesota.cbslocal.com/2013/04/21/beer-wine-sales-heading-to-lake-harriet/ for Bread and Pickle off of Lake Harriet.

The plan still needs to get city council approval—and has its detractors, the Star Tribune MPLS. blog reported: http://www.startribune.com/blogs/203477841.html

Arlene Fried, a co-founder of Park Watch, spoke at Wednesday night’s Board meeting against the original delineations for where drinking would be allowed. She said that planters and tables will create “barriers and congestion” for people walking through.

“Allowing one use to dominate this compact and very popular public area is poor planning; and, in this case, just plain dangerous,” Fried said in prepared remarks: http://parkwatch.org/node/1737 “The Lake Harriet concessions stand was never meant to be a wine and beer garden any more than it was meant to be a Dairy Queen.”

Size has been an issue, the Southwest Journal reported April 2: http://www.southwestjournal.com/news/news/beer-and-wine-at-lake-harriet-its-up-for-debate. “If it’s only the smaller area, I won’t do it. It’s not going to happen. I am willing to compromise on some of that area, but if it’s just that small area that’s drawn, it’s not happening,” [Bread & Pickle co-owner Kim Bartmann] said. “There’s no reason for it to be that small, and no one will be happy.”

Here’s where Bartmann and the city don’t see eye-to-eye. Business Licensing Manager Grant Wilson cited Minnesota statute 340A.410, which says, “A licensing authority may issue a retail alcoholic beverage license only for a space that is compact and contiguous.”

Beer came up when Minnesota Public Radio: http://minnesota.publicradio.org/display04/17/appetites/rachel-hutton-concessions-season interviewed Minnesota Monthly Editor Rachel Hutton about dining at Minneapolis parks:

Tom Crann: What should we order at the other park eateries?

Rachel Hutton: Sea Salt is already open, so you can go get a crab cake sandwich and a local tap beer. The cold weather is preventing a firm opening date for Tin Fish and Bread & Pickle. Operators of those restaurants are hopeful they will be open before May 1. At Tin Fish, I like their basic fried cod sandwich, the Mini Tin. At Bread & Pickle I like their breakfast sandwiches, the hummus wrap, and they do excellent fried cheese curds that can tide us over until the Minnesota State Fair: http://www.mnstatefair.org/

RiverFirst Design Presentations May 1 and May 2

The following notice has been distributed by the Park Board:

RiverFirst Schematic Design Presentations May 1 and May 2

As part of RiverFirst, the Minneapolis Park & Recreation Board is completing schematic design and feasibility for six Mississippi riverfront parks and parks access projects. On Wednesday, May 1, the RiverFirst design team will present its work as part of the Park Board’s regular meeting, which begins at 5:00 PM. On Thursday, May 2, community members have an opportunity to learn more about these RiverFirst Priority Projects at an Open House from 11 AM – 12:00 PM or a Community Meeting from 6-8:00 PM. All three meetings will be in the Board Room at Minneapolis Park Board headquarters, 2117 West River Road, Minneapolis.

For more information see

http://riverfirst.com/2013/04/15/news-release-may-2-minneapolis-parks-shares-next-steps-on-six-r1-priority-projects/

http://www.minneapolisparks.org/riverfirst

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Date: Wednesday, May 1, 2013

Time: meeting begins at 5:00 PM

Type: Park Board meeting

Location: MPRB Board Room, 2117 West River Road North, Minneapolis

—————————-

Date: Thursday, May 2, 2013

Time: 11:00 AM – 12:00 PM

Type: informal open house

Location: MPRB Board Room, 2117 West River Road North, Minneapolis

—————————-

Date: Thursday, May 2, 2013

Time: 6:00 PM – 8:00 PM

Type: open house with presentation and Q&A

Location: MPRB Board Room, 2117 West River Road North, Minneapolis

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CONTACT:Andrew Caddock, Project Manager

Minneapolis Park & Recreation Board

612-230-6470

[email protected]