09-278Council File # 0 9 - a7�
GreenSheet# 3067377
ITY OF
Presented
RESOLUTION
NT PAUL, MINNESOTA
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1 WHEREAS, the Deputy Legislative Hearing Officer recommends that the application for (I.D.
2 20080004386) Gas Station, Retail Food (C) — Grocery 1001-3000 sq. ft. and Cigarette/Tobacco for
3 New James Inc., doing business as Marshall Stop, 2057 Marshall Avenue, be approved with the
4 following conditions:
6 1. The licensee shall pick up trash, litter, empty bottles and/or cans in the immediate vicinity of
7 the licensed business whether on public or private property at least on a daily basis.
8 2. The licensee shall promptly remove graffiti from the premises in accordance with applicable
9 City Ordinances.
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I 1 THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED that the Council of the City of Saint Paul hereby approves this license
12 application with the aforementioned agreed-upon conditions.
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Yeas Na s Absent
Bostrom r /
Carter
Harris �
Helgen
Lantry
Stark ,i
Thune ✓
Adopted by Council: Date ��//�jjGj
Adoption Certified by Counci Secretary
By: �
Approve ' a r Date � ��
BY� ��U�L�A��/� �
Requested by Department of:
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Form Approved by City Attorney
By:
Form Approved by Mayox for Submission to Council
By:
� Green Sheet Green Sheet
Green Sheet Green Sheet Green Sheet Green Sheet
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Departmentl�ce/Council: Date Inkiated: �
co-�°°^��� 02_MAR-09 Green Sheet NO: 3067377
� Contact Person 8 Pbone: Departrnent Sent To Person Initial/Date
Nhia Vanp y o oo��;� �_]
I 266-8566 I oanc� De artmentDirecmr
A55ign Z ' Cierk Ci Clerk
Must Be on Council Agenda by (Date): Number 3 0
l t-MAR-09 Por
Routing 4 �
Doc.Type;RESOLUTION Order 5 O
E-DOCUment Required: Y
Document Contact: Jean Birkholz
Contact Phone: 266-8673
Total # oF Signature Pages _(Clip AI{ Locations for Signature)
Action Requested:
Approving the license application with conditions, per the Deputy Legislative Hearing Officer, for Gas Statiion, Retail Food (C) -
Grocery 1001-3000 sq. ft. and Cigarette/ Tobacco for New James Inc, doing business as Mazshall Stop, 2057 Mazshall Avenue.
Recommentlations: Approve (A) or Reject (R): Personal Service Controcts Must Answer the Following Questions:
Planning Commission 1. Has this personlfirm ever worked under a contract for ihis depadment?
CIB Commiriee Yes No
Civil Service Commission 2. Has this person/firm ever been a ciry employee?
Yes No
3. Does this person/firm possess a skill not normally possessed by any
current ciry employee?
Yes No
F-�cplain all yes answers on separate sheet and attach to green sheet.
Initiating Problem, Issues, Opportunity (Who, What, When, Where, Why):
Advantages If Approved:
Disadvantages If Approved:
Disadvantage5 If Not Approved:
7otal Amount of CostlRevenue Butl eted:
7ransaction: 9
Punding Snurce: Activity Number:
Financial Information:
(Expiain)
March 2, 2009 1221 PM Page 1
LICENSE HEARING MINUTES �� ��
Marshall Stop at 2057 Marshall Avenue
Thursday, February 12, 2009, 10:00 a.m.
330 City Hall, 15 Kellogg Boulevard West
Nhia Vang, Deputy Legislative Hearing Officer
The hearing was called to order at 10:03 a.m.
Staff Present: Jeff Fischbach, Department of Safety and Inspecfions (DSn; and Jean Birkholz, Council
Research
Others Present: James Hawila, business owner
Marshall Ston: Gas Station, Retail Food (C) — Grocery 1001-3000 sq. ft. and Cigarette/Tobacco licenses
Ms. Vang stated that this is an informal legislative hearing for a license application. This is a Class N notification
which means that the neighborhood is notified and people have a chance to voice their concerns. If anyone has a
concern, it automatically triggers a hearing. Other Class N Licenses include: bars, entertainment, auto sales, auto
repair, eta—things that have an immediate impact on their neighbors. The City received two (2) ]etters of
concern from the same person regarding the issuance of this license. Ultimately, there are three (3) possible
outcomes from this hearing: 1) Ms. Vang may recommend to the CiTy Counci] that they issue this license without
any conditions; 2) she may recommend to the City Council that they issue this (icense with agreed upon
conditions; or 3) if an agreement cannot be reached, she may recommend to the City Council that they not issue
this license but refer it to an administrative law judge for a further hearing and findings. She will make her
recommendation to the City Council in the form of a resolution, which will be on the consent agenda.
Ms. Vang will ask staff to present their report; staff will be asked to explain their review of the application and
their recommendation. Then, she will read the letters of objection into the record. Next, she will ask the
applicant to talk about the business plan.
Mr. Jeff Fischbach, Department of Safety and Inspections (DSI), provided a staff report. At this time, the license
has been approved by Environmental Health and Zoning inspectors. There was no requirement for a Building
inspection because iPs an on-going building. Licensing is pending (need executed lease). No correspondence has
been received from the district council. DSI recommends approval with no conditions. The owner has informed
Mr. Fischbach that he has an executed lease of which he will furnish a copy to DSI.
Ms. Vang asked about the executed lease. Mr. Fischbach explained that Mr. Hawila needs something from the
property owner showing that he has permission to be there. He has submitted a lease between himself and the
property owner showing that they have contact and that he's working toward finalizing the lease. Mr. Hawila
wanted to see if he could get the license before he signed on the dotted line, which is not unusual for situations
like this. Mr. Hawila explained that he leases the property not directly from the owner; he leases it from Oasis
Market, who leases from the owner, Marathon. In other words, he has a sublease with the current lease holder.
Ms. Vang reiterated that Mr. Hawila is the sub lessee of the owner of the Oasis Mazket, who has a lease with
Marathon for nine (9) years. Mr. Hawila added that Oasis is having some financial prob]ems and they are selling
all of their stations. Ms. Vang asked who is responsible for maintaining the property. Mr. Hawila responded that
he cannot change anything structurally. He is responsible for maintenance, selling product and paying the rent.
He cannot do any remodeling.
Mr. Hawila said that this is the first business he has owned; he has, however, worked in a gas station. His cousin
has been in the business for riventy (20) years and is training Mr. Hawila. Cunently, he has three (3) part time
employees. Their responsibilities include cleaning, cashiering, re-stocking, etc. He works there at least ten (10)
hours a day, six days a week. The hours of operation are as follows:
Monday — Thursday 6 a.m. — 10 p.m. � J a�"
Friday 6 a.m. — ll p.m.
Saturday 7 a.m. — I 1 p.m.
Sunday 7 a.m. — 9 p.m.
In the summer, he may extend the weekday hours until I 1 p.m. Regarding the sale of cigarettes, he provides
training for his staff and has posted a large sign saying they don't sell to minors.
Ms. Vang reviewed the letters of objection, dated January 19, 2009 and February 10, 2009. The person who
wrote it owns the apartment building immediately adjacent, across the alley. ln the first letter, it was implied that
the applicant may be the previous owner. The wall separating the business from the alley is in disrepair, needs
paint and has graffiti on it which has been there for weeks. The litter and trash from the business does not get
picked-up. There are drug deals going on around the gas pump area. The place is an eyesore and in need of
renovation, painting and repair. The February 10'� letter stated that attendance at the hearing would not be
possible and again, cited similar concerns including mentioned of the wall. Pictures of the wall showing the
graffiti was also sent with the February 10'� letter and was entered into the record. A phone call from the same
concerned citizen was made at 8:40 a.m, February 1, 2009, and listed more concerns: a police report should be
obtained regarding the drug deals; needed trash cans to contain the litter; and observation that people were
hanging out in the alley. Ms. Vang noted that the photos reveal a crumbling wall with graffiti.
Mr. Hawila stated that he has been there for only two (2) months and he intends to repaint the building. He thinks
that he has nothing to do with the wall. Bvery day someone from the neighborhood tells him they are happy
because he took over the place. He never sees gangs or drug dealers while he is there. The complaints in the
letters address the previous owners. He stated that whatever is outside his business, he can't control.
Ms. Vang asked who owned the wall and is responsible for its maintenance. Mr. Fischbach replied that it is Mr.
Hawila's responsibility to maintain both sides of the wall. The wall is on his proper[y. Ms. Vang provided a
graffiti waiver for Mr. Hawila to sign so that the City would come out and paint over the graffiti. Ms. Vang
encouraged Mr. Hawila and/or his staffto go out and check the wall periodically. Ms. Vang will add a condition
to that effect.
Ms. Vang will recommend approval with the following conditions:
1. The licensee shall pick up trash, litter, empty bottles andlor cans in the immediate vicinity of the
licensed business whether on public or private property at least on a daily basis.
2. The licensee sha11 promptly remove graffiti from the premises in accordance with applicable City
Ordinances.
Mr. Fischbach will emai] the Conditions' Affidavit, which Mr. Hawila must sign and return.
The hearing was adjourned at 10:41 a.m.
Note: The Conditions' Affidavit was signed on February 18, 2009.
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