South West Illinois News

The Carbondale Local Liquor Control Commission met Feb. 23 to discuss several instances of over-occupancy at licensed venues.

Here are the meeting's minutes, as provided by the commission:

The Liquor Control Commission receives recommendations for liquor license applications from the city’s Liquor Advisory Board.

LOCAL LIQUOR CONTROL COMMISSION

February 23, 2016

The Local Liquor Control Commission held a meeting on Tuesday, February 23, 2016, in City Council Chambers, Room 108 of the Civic Center, 200 S. Illinois Avenue. Chairman John M. Henry called the meeting to order at 7:01 p.m. with the following-named members of the Commission present/absent: 

1. Roll Call

Present: Commissioner Navreet Kang, Commissioner Jessica Bradshaw, Commissioner Carolin Harvey, Commissioner Lee Fronabarger, Commissioner Tom Grant, Commissioner Adam Loos, and Chairman John M. Henry

Absent: None

Also present were City Clerk Jennifer Sorrell, Interim City Manager Gary Williams, and various members of City Staff.

2. Approval of Minutes from December 22, 2015

MOTION: Commissioner Kang moved, Commissioner Fronabarger seconded, to approve the amended minutes from December 22, 2015. DISCUSSION: A correction to the vote on an item was noted. VOTE:

Ayes: N. Kang, J. Bradshaw, C. Harvey, L. Fronabarger, T. Grant, A. Loos, and J. Henry. Nays: None.

Motion declared carried.

3. Consideration of a request to transfer locations and a request for an additional 180-day permit for Reel Lucky to operate a Class B3 liquor establishment at 1224 West Main Street

MOTION: Commissioner Grant moved, Commissioner Harvey seconded, to approve the transfer of location and the issuance of an additional 180-day permit for Reel Lucky to operate with a B3 liquor license at 1224 West Main Street. DISCUSSION: None. VOTE: Ayes: N. Kang, J. Bradshaw, C. Harvey, L. Fronabarger, T. Grant, A. Loos, and J. Henry. Nays: None. Motion declared carried.

4. Application for a Class B3 license from Little Vegas Gaming, LLC d/b/a Little Vegas at 100 North Glenview Drive

MOTION: Commissioner Kang moved, Commissioner Fronabarger seconded, to approve the issuance of a Class B3 liquor license to Little Vegas Gaming, LLC d/b/a Little Vegas at 100 North Glenview, contingent upon receipt of all outstanding items. DISCUSSION: None. Ayes: N. Kang, J. Bradshaw, C. Harvey, L.  Fronabarger, T. Grant, A. Loos, and J. Henry. Nays: None. Motion declared carried.

5. Application for a Class A2 liquor license from Bombay Olive, LLC d/b/a Bombay Olive at 518 South Illinois Avenue

MOTION: Commissioner Kang moved, Commissioner Bradshaw seconded, to approve the issuance of a Class A2 liquor license to Bombay Olive, LLC, contingent upon receipt of all outstanding items.

DISCUSSION: None. Ayes: N. Kang, J. Bradshaw, C. Harvey, L. Fronabarger, T. Grant, A. Loos, and J. Henry. Nays: None. Motion declared carried.

6. Consideration of second quarter reports from the Police Department, Fire Department, and Building Neighborhood Services for license year 2015-2016

MOTION: Commissioner Loos moved, Commissioner Bradshaw seconded, to accept and place on file Local Liquor Control Commission – February 23, 2016 the second quarter reports from the Police Department, Fire Department, and Building and Neighborhood Services for license year 2015-2016.

DISCUSSION: The Commission remarked on the multiple notations of over-occupancy and discussed the possibility of having a hearing and assessing fines for locations with frequent issues of underage consumption of alcohol. The Clerk noted that a liquor hearing has certain procedures/protocols which must be considered with regard to service of notices. It was observed that Pinch Penny Pub’s violations have improved according to the reports. VOTE: Ayes: N. Kang, J. Bradshaw, C. Harvey, L. Fronabarger, T. Grant, A. Loos, and J. Henry. Nays: None. Motion declared carried.

Bryan Woodruff was present to respond to Commission inquiries. Mr. Woodruff indicated that the staff do try their best and receive frequent coaching; that it has been a number of years since the staff served alcohol to a minor; that the establishment does try to keep staffing levels as high as possible, however there would be a need to employ 30 or 40 staff members at any given time to prevent underage possession from occurring; and expressed that the establishment would be happy to work with the Commission. Mr. Woodruff noted that the popularity of varying areas of Carbondale shifts seasonally which impacts the number of patrons. He discussed the use of alternating hand-stamps for customers, the staff’s efforts to identify underage individuals in possession of alcohol, and the staff’s awareness and ability to track occupancy.

7. Citizens’ Comments

None.

8. Adjournment

There being no further business to come before the Local Liquor Control Commission, Chairman Henry declared the meeting adjourned 7:22 p.m.

_________________________ ______________________________

Date Approved Jennifer R. Sorrell, City Clerk