Anoka

Monday: The City Council took steps to increase liquor license fees at its meeting. After surveying similar and surrounding cities, the council is considering raising the $200 fee for a 2 a.m. special license.

This action would be the latest in a number of restrictions the City Council has placed on bars to deal with an increasing number of aggravated assaults in downtown Anoka. After the council discussed changing the 2 a.m. bar close time last fall, the members decided to make stricter rules for liquor licenses instead.

The city has only issued four 2 a.m. licenses, but the police department said since the later closing time started, it has had to have additional officers on duty at an expense of $25,000 a year.

Additional changes include raising temporary licenses from $50 a day to $75 a day, increasing on-sale liquor licenses from $250 a year to $300 a year, and increasing off-sale liquor licenses from $50 a year to $150 a year. On-sale licenses are typically issued to restaurants and bars, and off-sale licenses to liquor stores.

The council will make the final decision to adopt the changes at the Jan. 22 meeting.

RAMSEY

Tuesday: The City Council was expected to consider a conditional use permit for a cell phone tower in Alpine Park. Last April, T-Mobile made the same request, but in September, council members asked the company to find a location in the park that was farther away from residents.

T-Mobile's new request will move the proposed location from the southwest corner to the south-central area of the park. The tower would not be higher than the city's limit of 165 feet and would be surrounded by an 8-foot chain link fence. The lease would be for $1,500 a month.

NEW HOPE

Tuesday: The Planning Commission was expected to continue a public hearing on changes to how off-road and recreational vehicles must be stored. Last August, the City Council adopted changes that prohibited certain types of vehicles and required that off-road and recreational vehicles stored in side or back yards must screened to 80 percent opacity.

After residents complained about the requirements, the council asked the Planning Commission to reconsider the changes and hold additional public hearings to get input.

LORA PABST