Title
RESOLUTION CALLING FOR AN ADVISORY REFERENDUM PERTAINING TO THE SALE OF INTOXICATING LIQUOR IN THE LAKESIDE AND LESTER PARK NEIGHBORHOODS OF DULUTH.
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BY COUNCILOR JULSRUD:
RECITALS:
(a) Under Special Laws 1891, Chapter 57, Chapter XII, Section 5, the issuance of licenses for the sale of intoxicating liquor in what was formerly known as the city of Lakeside neighborhood of Duluth has been prohibited;
(b) The city of Lakeside is currently known as the area bordered by 40th Avenue East on the west, Skyline Parkway on the north, the city limits on the east and Lake Superior on the south (the "Lakeside and Lester Park neighborhoods")
(c) The Duluth city council wishes to determine the desire of voters in the city of Duluth with respect to allowing the sale of intoxicating liquor in the Lakeside and Lester Park neighborhoods in order to determine what, if any, action on the matter the city will propose to the state legislature in its next session.
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED, that the city council hereby calls for an advisory referendum at a general municipal election to be held on November 3, 2015, on the question of allowing the sale of intoxicating liquor in the Lakeside and Lester Park neighborhoods.
FURTHER RESOLVED, that the city clerk shall place the following proposition on the ballot at such advisory referendum:
To vote for the proposition, completely fill in the oval next to the word "YES" for that question.
To vote against the proposition, completely fill in the oval next to the word "NO" for that question.
NON-BINDING PROPOSITION
Should the state statute which prohibits the issuance of licenses for the sale of intoxicating liquor in the Lakeside and Lester Park neighborhoods be repealed?
A "YES" vote means I support eliminating the state law which prohibits the sale of intoxicating liquor in the Lakeside and Lester Park neighborhoods.
A "NO" vote means I do not support eliminating the state law which prohibits the sale of intoxicating liquor in the Lakeside and Lester Park neighborhoods.
Statement of Purpose
STATEMENT OF PURPOSE: This resolution calls for an advisory referendum to be included on the November 3, 2015, general election ballot pertaining to the sale of intoxicating liquor in the Lakeside and Lester park neighborhoods. Since voters declined to approve the sale of intoxicating liquor by one vote in a special election held on November 4, 2008, Duluth has become a hub for micro-breweries and micro-distilleries. Duluth is a destination city for tourists interested in locally crafted beers and spirits and the vibrant local craft beer and distillery community is gaining a national reputation.
In addition, the state legislature has acknowledged the important economic impact of allowing the sale of intoxicating liquor by authorizing the sale of alcohol at the Lester Park Golf Course. The referendum will allow Duluth citizens to voice their preference as to the sale of intoxicating liquor in the city.