Item 3.12 Liquor License Penalties
Request for
City Council Action
DEPARTMENT INFORMATION
ORIGINATING DEPARTMENT REQUESTOR: MEETING DATE:
Administration City Clerk Etzel January 12, 2026
PRESENTER(s) REVIEWED BY: ITEM #:
Consent City Administrator/Finance Director Flaherty 3.12 – Liquor License Penalties
STRATEGIC VISION
MEETS: THE CITY OF OTSEGO:
X Is a strong organization that is committed to leading the community through innovative communication.
Has proactively expanded infrastructure to responsibly provide core services.
Is committed to delivery of quality emergency service responsive to community needs and expectations in a
cost-effective manner.
Is a social community with diverse housing, service options, and employment opportunities.
Is a distinctive, connected community known for its beauty and natural surroundings.
AGENDA ITEM DETAILS
RECOMMENDATION:
City staff recommend the City Council adopt a resolution imposing civil penalties.
ARE YOU SEEKING APPROVAL OF A CONTRACT? IS A PUBLIC HEARING REQUIRED?
No No
BACKGROUND/JUSTIFICATION:
Wright County recently performed alcohol compliance checks on licensed establishments in the City. Unfortunately,
Otsego Tobacco & Liquor (Off-Sale) and Pour Wine Bar & Bistro (On-Sale) did not pass their compliance checks.
Neither establishment have had a compliance check failure in the last two years.
The City Code (Title 4, Chapter 1, Section 9) outlines a $1,000 civil penalty with no license suspension for a first
violation. City Code additionally outlines that Best Practices Training be completed within 60 days. The penalty is
subject to City Council discretion, however City staff recommend that the City Council adhere to the ordinance
guidelines as outlined in the attached Resolution.
SUPPORTING DOCUMENTS ATTACHED:
• Wright County Letter Dated January 8, 2026
• Resolution 2026-04
POSSIBLE MOTION
PLEASE WORD MOTION AS YOU WOULD LIKE IT TO APPEAR IN THE MINUTES:
Motion to adopt Resolution 2026-04 imposing a civil penalty and other sanctions on Otsego Tobacco & Liquor and
Pour Wine Bar & Bistro.
BUDGET INFORMATION
FUNDING: BUDGETED:
N/A N/A
An Equal Opportunity Employer
Public Health
Department
3650 Braddock Avenue NE
Suite 2100
Buffalo, MN 55313
Ph: (763) 335-0280
Fax: (763) 682-7701
www.co.wright.mn.us
1/8/2026
Dear Otsego City Administrator,
I am happy to inform you that the following establishments passed their most
recent alcohol compliance check.
Congratulations to:
• Boondox Bar & Grille
• Coborn’s Liquor #2047
• Cowboy Jack’s Saloon
• Kwik Trip #162
• Mississippi Valley Grill & Bar
• Napa Valley Liquors
• Pour Bottle Shop
• Pour Cocktail Bar & Bites
• Riverview Liquorette
• Riverwood National Bar & Grill
• Rockwoods Grill & Bar
• Target Super T-2456
Unfortunately, the following establishment(s) were not checked due to being
closed for the season:
• Vintage Golf Course
Unfortunately, the following establishment(s) did not pass their compliance
check:
• Otsego Tobacco & Liquor
• Pour Wine Bar & Bistro
Safe Communities of Wright County has partnered with Wright County Public
Health to offer Responsible Beverage Server Training (RBST) to bar owners,
managers, servers, and sellers at alcohol establishments about strategies to avoid
illegally selling alcohol to underage youth or intoxicated patrons.
Individual Classes will be held monthly at the Wright County Law Enforcement
Center. Go to https://safecomm.org/rbst-training/ to sign up.
Respectfully,
Terri Burkhart
Wright County Public Health
763-682-7516
Terri.Burkhart@wrightcountymn.gov
Licensing@wrightcountymn.gov
1
CITY OF OTSEGO
COUNTY OF WRIGHT
STATE OF MINNESOTA
RESOLUTION NO: 2026-04
IMPOSING A CIVIL PENALTY AND OTHER SANCTIONS ON
POUR WINE BAR & BISTRO AND OTSEGO TOBACCO & LIQUOR
WHEREAS, the Wright County Sheriff’s Department, along with Wright County Public Health Staff, conducted alcohol
compliance checks within the City of Otsego; and
WHEREAS, Wright County has informed the City by letter dated January 8, 2026, that Pour Wine Bar & Bistro and Otsego
Tobacco & Liquor failed the alcohol compliance check; and
WHEREAS, Wright County Public Health, along with the State of Minnesota Department of Public Safety strongly
recommends that the City issue a penalty to the license holder; and
WHEREAS, that said violation is by ordinance the first liquor violation for Pour Wine Bar & Bistro and Otsego Tobacco &
Liquor as they have had no similar violations in the preceding two-year period; and
WHEREAS, the City Council has authority granted to it under the provisions of Section 340A.415 of Minnesota Statutes
to either revoke the license or permit, suspend the license or permit for up to 60 days, impose a civil penalty of up to
$2,000.00 for each violation, or impose any combination of these sanctions; and
WHEREAS, the City has adopted guidelines for enforcement of said authority which are contained in Otsego City Code,
Section 4-1-9 Enforcement and Penalties; Suspension and Revocation of License, and which outline a $1,000.00 fine and
Best Practices Training for a first violation, subject to Council discretion; and
WHEREAS, the City Council finds that the imposition of a civil penalty and required training is necessary to send a
message to the liquor establishments located within the City of Otsego that said liquor establishments must prevent the
sale of alcohol to minors.
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED BY THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF OTSEGO, MINNESOTA:
1. The City does hereby impose a civil penalty upon each of Pour Wine Bar & Bistro and Otsego Tobacco & Liquor
in the amount of $1,000.00 each, payable immediately as well as mandatory Best Practices Training to be
completed within 60 days and reported back to the City. In the event that all of the sanctions imposed above are
not complied with as directed, the matter will be brought back to the City Council for imposition of additional
conditions or penalties.
2. That the ownership of Pour Wine Bar & Bistro and Otsego Tobacco & Liquor are hereby directed to provide all
additional training in proper alcohol sales for its staff to avoid further violations.
ADOPTED by the Otsego City Council this 12th day of January, 2026.
MOTION BY:
2
SECONDED BY:
IN FAVOR:
OPPOSED:
CITY OF OTSEGO
__________________________________
Jessica L. Stockamp, Mayor
ATTEST:
__________________________________
Audra Etzel, City Clerk