Hopkins approves license for packaged liquor sales

At the Hopkins City Council meeting on March 6, the aldermen approved two liquor licenses sought by Amy Larson to sell packaged liquor.

Two licenses are required, one to sell liquor Monday through Saturday and the other on Sunday. Larson has leased space from the Smoke Shop in Hopkins and plans to sell liquor there. The shop is not open when liquor sales are restricted so there won’t be a problem, Larson said.

Larson has received notification that the state liquor license has been approved. The city liquor licenses are contingent on her receiving the state and county licenses.

Discussion was held on delinquent water accounts. Ten addresses are still delinquent with a total of $6,098.51 owed on sewer and $643.76 owed on water. Small claims court was considered on one account; no motions or votes were made to pursue this course of action.

The property owner of 917 East Roseberry, Hopkins, requested a review of a water and sewer bill. The property is a rental. The previous tenant had been disconnected for non-payment on June 29, 2016. The owner had paid the past-due account.

A new renter contacted the city for water/sewer service and the meter was read in February. The meter was on even though the city had not turned it on. There were 51,000 gallons of water used between the two readings with a bill of over $700. The aldermen voted that the owner needs to pay the full bill.

Alderman Roger Florea is still exploring options for the dilapidated houses and buildings in Hopkins.

A road shared by the city and township needs a couple loads of gravel, Florea said. The city will look into cooperating with the township on this project.