Roseville council approves presumptive fines and short suspensions after multiple alcohol and tobacco compliance failures

Roseville — The City Council on May 19 authorized presumptive penalties under city code after the Roseville Police Department reported a string of compliance check failures for sellers of alcohol and tobacco. Deputy Police Chief Joe Adams told the council that the department completed checks March 29 and found four failures among alcohol licensees and three failures among tobacco licensees.

The council followed staff recommendations to impose the mandatory presumptive penalties: for on‑sale liquor first violations a $2,000 fine and one‑day suspension; for a second violation within 36 months the code calls for a $2,000 fine and a five‑day suspension. For tobacco licensees a second violation in 36 months carries a $2,000 fine and a three‑day suspension. The council voted unanimously on each case presented.

Chief Adams summarized each incident in open session. La Casita (second violation within 36 months) was cited for serving alcohol to a compliance checker after an ID check; staff recommended the second‑violation penalty of $2,000 and 5 days off the license. Centro, Shinwa Korean Steakhouse, and Game Center each had single failures within 36 months; staff recommended the first‑violation penalty ($2,000 and one day) for each. The council voted to impose the recommended presumptive penalties in each case.

Representatives from several businesses addressed the council. Jamie Olsen, owner of Centro, said the company accepts the violation and supplied training records; Cody Webster, director of operations, described twice‑a‑year ALE (alcohol) training for employees. Josiah Northey, manager at Game Center, said the CEO was out of town and that the store has added a visible ID reminder at the register. Mohammed Abu Farah, manager of Noble Tobacco, acknowledged training gaps after assuming management and asked the council to limit the sanction; the council declined and moved the presumptive penalty.

City staff noted that compliance check volunteers use valid Minnesota IDs (not fake IDs) and that licensees receive advance letters informing them the city conducts two compliance checks per year. City attorney Rachel Tierney and City Manager Pat Trojgen clarified that council may deviate from the presumptive penalty but that any consideration of an upward departure based on common ownership requires notice to the licensee so they can respond. That procedural concern prompted discussion in the Shinwa case about common ownership with another Roseville business; the council chose to apply the presumptive first‑violation penalty for Shinwa rather than delay action.

Councilmembers emphasized enforcement as a public‑safety and equity matter and urged licensees to maintain regular training. Councilmember Strahan and others noted the city also obtained a state grant to run an additional, education‑focused round of tobacco checks later in the year.