Apr 2, 2008 11:02 pm US/Central
Later Bar Hours For RNC Back On Tap
ST. PAUL (WCCO) ―
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The legislation would affect cities within a 10 mile radius of the Xcel Energy Center. Those cities would then decide for themselves to pass ordnances on later closing times. (File)
CBS
A plan to keep Twin Cities bars open later this summer is back on the table after a proposal in the Minnesota Senate was killed last month. Some lawmakers want to push closing time during the Republican National Convention from 2 a.m. to 4 a.m.
Minneapolis DFLer Rep. Phyllis Kahn said it's a way to better accommodate out-of-towners.
"I don't want them to think that it's a city that closes down before they're ready to close down," she said.
The legislation would affect cities within a 10 mile radius of the Xcel Energy Center. Those cities would then decide for themselves to pass ordinances on later closing times.
On Wednesday, the St. Paul City Council voted 4-3 to approve a resolution asking the proposal not be enacted. Their vote was non-binding and a way to communicate their opinion to the legislature before the legislation is signed.
Councilmember Lee Helgen was concerned about the estimated half-million dollar cost in police overtime.
Some bar owners don't want to pay the extra money to stay open, while others see it as an opportunity.
"I'm not going to retire and move to Hawaii on it or anything like that but I think it will be a splurge in business," said Pat Mancini of Mancini's Char House, a restaurant nine blocks from the Xcel Energy Center.
Mancini said many bar owners are concerned about a competitive disadvantage if only some cities were to approve later hours.
"It's a real fairness issue. I would like to see all or nothing," he said.
Following the city council vote, St. Paul Mayor Chris Coleman expressed his concerns about the overtime but said, "I believe strongly that we need to work on this issue with other cities that would be affected. I am deeply concerned about putting Saint Paul's restaurant and bar owners at a competitive disadvantage with other entertainment venues in the area."
The Minneapolis City Council discussed the issue on Tuesday but did issue an opinion.
The legislation will go to the full House floor on Thursday.
(© MMIX, CBS Broadcasting Inc. All Rights Reserved.)
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