A city committee has granted a Minot bar permission to temporarily continue operating despite being out of compliance with city ordinance.

Sidekicks Lounge, operated by Shine Time LLC, has held a motel/hotel liquor license in connection with Magic City Motel. At a hearing before the Minot City Council’s Liquor Committee Wednesday, the Minot Police Department presented evidence that the motel is closed, with no sign of activity since October. Nicole Ross of Williston, regional operations manager for the motel company, testified five rooms now are open. The remainder are being remodeled, she said.

Complicating the matter for Sidekicks was the dissolution of Shine Time by the secretary of state last May for failure to file an annual report. The company was no longer registered with the state when it renewed its liquor license last June.

Owner Michael Tupa of Stillwater, Minn., said the issue stemmed from a broken communication between the secretary of state’s office and his business, which has been corrected with the naming of a new registered agent for Shine Time. Shine Time also has since reinstated its registration with the state. However, Tupa was unaware of the city’s need to have the new registered agent on the liquor license renewal form, which put the renewal form in error.

The committee agreed to give Shine Time until June 1 to meet the requirements of city ordinance. In the meantime, Sidekicks can continue operating. If Magic City Motel does not have 39 operational rooms by June 1, Sidekicks would lose its liquor license. Shine Time also can choose by June 1 to switch to another type of li cense. The bar has begun serving food and would be eligible for a supper club license if food sales grow to account for 51 percent or more of the business.

Committee members unanimously supporting the decision were David Shomento, Tom Seymour, Jim Hatlelid, Ben Berg and Kevin Connole.

Jill Schramm