By Logan Wells, News Director | Logan@kymnradio.net
On Tuesday night, the Northfield City Council approved a liquor and a cannabinoid license for Froggz LLC, the business that has recently opened in the former space of Froggy Bottoms.
Council approval of a license for intoxicants can rely heavily on the recommendation of the Northfield Police Department. An investigation into the applicants background is performed by the Chief of Police himself, and he presents his report to the council during the public hearing regarding the awarding of the licenses.
Police Chief Mark Elliott’s report on Tuesday night recommended the issuance of the licenses, but with a few concerns. Three people, Perry Bruget, Nicholas Erickson, and Nathan Bran were the applicants for the license, and Elliott’s concern focused on Erickson.
(Right: Northfield Police Chief Mark Elliott)
In performing his background check, Chief Elliott found that Erickson has nine misdemeanor convictions, including seven driving after revocation convictions in the past four years. He also has three more cases pending, including a felony domestic assault charge in Mille Lacs County and a misdemeanor charge of providing false information to a Northfield police officer.
However, Elliott said, pending cases should not be considered in this matter, and the remaining convictions were for “relatively petty” misdemeanors.
Members of the council showed their own concerns over Erickson’s moral character. Councilor Jessica Peterson White asked about what she saw as a “clear disregard for the law” shown by Erickson, and was unsure how to reconcile that with Chief Elliott’s recommendation. The Chief responded that Erickson is one of three applicants, and should other situations develop, it is his opinion that the police department can bring the issue before the council, which could then consider revocation of the licenses. Councilors Kathleen Holmes, Jami Reister and Davin Sokup acknowledged similar concerns, but noted that they would trust the Chief’s recommendation. Mayor Rhonda Pownell said she was hopeful that Mr. Erickson, who was in attendance at the meeting, would take the discussion to heart, and that she is excited for the possibilities of a highly successful business returning to that space.
City Administrator Ben Martig said the conversation was a good one, both in the questions asked by the council, and in the way the applicants answered the concerns.
“I do think the Council was asking good questions and that’s part of the accountability and due diligence that they are responsible for. As they deliberated, there was an emphasis by the applicants to indicate their intent to run a good, responsible business. And ultimately it was unanimously supported by the Council.”
(Right: City Administrator, Ben Martig)
The council approved the licenses unanimously.
