Recent actions

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.

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.

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