The City Council on Monday voted to approve the list of routine liquor‑license renewals for 2026 after a public hearing produced no speakers. Assistant City Manager Rebecca Olsen summarized the applications and a staff attachment listing establishments with any liquor‑compliance failures over the prior five years; council approved the renewals unanimously.

The Red Lobster renewal was not included in the batch considered Monday. City Attorney (Rachel Tierney, as identified later in the meeting) explained that denying non‑renewal is treated as a license revocation under Minnesota law, which triggers Administrative Procedure Act requirements including notice, a reasonable opportunity to be heard, identification of charges and potentially an evidentiary hearing. The attorney outlined staff options: send a notice and allow Red Lobster to request a contested hearing before the council with evidence and cross examination, or refer the matter to a hearing officer who would hold the hearing and return findings to the council.

Council discussed the city’s ordinance penalties tied to multiple compliance failures (three violations within a rolling 36‑month period can trigger a presumptive $2,000 fine and a 15‑day suspension), and council members asked whether the Red Lobster’s fourth violation fell inside the current rolling window. The attorney summarized next steps if the council wishes to pursue non‑renewal: staff would send a letter, gather and provide evidence and follow hearing procedures; this could not be completed in a single meeting.

What’s next: The city will bring the remaining renewals (including Red Lobster) back for further consideration in December if council directs staff to pursue a contested hearing or other enforcement action. For licenses approved Monday, staff will finalize outstanding materials and payments as standard conditions of issuance.