Minot holds public hearing on Chapter 5 alcohol ordinance; council delays action to allow full review

The Minot City Council on May 5 conducted a public hearing on proposed revisions to Chapter 5 of the city code governing alcohol beverages. Alderman Paul Pitner, who chaired the review committee, outlined the committee’s work, described multiple options under consideration and summarized a legal memorandum the committee received on the possible removal of the city's cap on retail liquor licenses.

Pitner told the council the committee considered several options including leaving the cap in place, removing the cap and allowing the city to sell new licenses, and hybrid proposals that would permit new licenses while providing protections or compensation mechanisms for existing license holders. He said the committee’s work was meant to review the ordinance at council direction, not to forward a predetermined outcome.

Public comment was extensive and largely focused on the cap, the economic and legal risks of removing it, and the potential effect of expanded charitable gaming ("E-TAB" machines). License holders and owners who have invested in liquor licenses told the council they oppose removing the cap without protections; others urged changes to allow new entrants while preserving value for current holders.

Key points raised during public comment: - Richard Depora (owner, Ranger Lounge) cautioned that the legal memorandum does not provide a definitive green light and warned of potential litigation costs to taxpayers. - Josh Walksi proposed an alternative approach that would cap gaming sites rather than liquor licenses and add separate "tavern" and off-sale license types so existing full retail license holders retain value. - Several business owners including Tony Mueller (Sports on Tap), Lori Hefty (Capri Bar), Melissa Wright (Arnie's 2) and Nick Geiss (Broadway Liquor) expressed concern that removing the cap would strip value from long‑standing license holders and reduce incentives for owners to invest in improvements. - Jessica Klein, attorney for Marketplace Foods and other license holders, described four options before the council and recommended an approach similar to one proposed by Kevin Black, which preserves market‑established pricing and offers a right of first refusal for existing license holders. - Concerns were also raised about perceived conflicts of interest; one owner suggested recusal for members with potential personal or family business interests.

Council members said they wanted more time to consider the public input. Alderman Blessum said he was not prepared to ask staff for a final draft based on tonight’s hearing and preferred to allow more time to study the concerns. Alderman Pitner said the committee process should continue and suggested further committee meetings to find a path forward.

Council action: The council voted unanimously to close the public hearing and later unanimously approved placing the item on a future agenda for discussion (targeted for the council—s September meeting, after seating of a full seven-member council). No ordinance change was adopted at the May 5 meeting.

What happens next: Staff will hold the record of public comment and return the item to the council for further discussion at a later date; council members signaled an interest in continuing committee work and exploring middle-ground proposals that balance market access and protections for existing license holders.