City officials hoping to revoke the liquor license held by Envy nightclub -- blamed for contributing to late-night crime downtown -- are now preparing for battle.

That's because the owners of Envy, located on 4th Street and 1st Avenue, missed a city-imposed deadline to surrender their license or face City Council action. The other club targeted by the city, Bootleggers, voluntarily gave up their license last week.

Since Envy has not responded to the city, the case will be referred to the City Attorney to arrange for a hearing before an administrative law judge, said city business licensing chief Grant Wilson. That judge will make a recommendation to the City Council, which has final say in the matter.

The owners of Envy, James and Susan Beamon, have not responded to numerous messages from reporters. Susan Beamon was also making day-to-day decisions at Bootleggers, according to a city report.

If the City Council revokes Envy's license, the Beamons will not be able to apply for a new liquor license in Minneapolis or elsewhere in Minnesota for the next five years.