Carbondale Reporter

City of Carbondale Liquor Advisory Board met February 2.

Here is the minutes provided by the Board:

1. Roll Call

Present: Mark Robinson, Tasis Karayiannis, and David Cisco, Steve Payne (Don Monty entered at 5:32 p.m.)

Absent: John Mills

A quorum was available to take action on the agenda items. City Staff present for the meeting included City Clerk Jennifer Sorrell, Assistant City Attorney Diane Regan, Lieutenant Dunning (at 6:33 p.m.), and Fire Inspector Tom Manis

2. Approval of minutes from January 5, 2017

D. Cisco moved, T. Karayiannis seconded, to approve the minutes of January 5, 2017. VOTE: All voted aye; motion declared carried.

3. Discussion with representatives from Hollywood Lounge, Gold Diggers, Saluki Bar/Levels, and Stix

Greg Knoob was present on behalf of Stix Bar, LLC. The Board had requested his presence due to patrons outside of the business reportedly causing traffic hazards. Mr. Knoob explained the procedure his facility utilizes for monitoring the patrons. He indicated that he was contemplating the usage of posts screwed into the sidewalk, but needs to speak with City Staff regarding their placement.

Saluki Bar/Levels – Austin Knoob was present to respond to sound levels from the beer garden and operational hours. Greg Knoob stated that his copy of the audio complaints indicate the dispatcher was suggesting to the complainants that the noise was coming from Saluki Bar/Levels. He then suggested that the issue was that there needs to be a standard noise level set for all locations; he offered 80 decibels as a reasonable level. Mr. Greg Knoob disputed the validity of the complaints and the measurements taken. Mr. Greg Knoob commented at length about experiencing conflict with certain City officials. The Chair suggested taking the matter up at a City Council meeting or addressing it to the State’s Attorney’s office. Recent and pending Code changes were briefly discussed. Mr. Knoob’s attorney also commented on the complaints and violations his client is facing. Assistant City Attorney Regan asked Mr. Knoob about matters relating to violations for which Stix had been cited. The Board noted that one of the topics they were to discuss with this licensee was hours of operation. Austin Knoob stated that he is open 3:00 p.m. to 2:00 a.m. daily. The Clerk noted that Saluki Bar and Levels operate as two separate establishments under one liquor license. Closing Levels does not prevent Saluki Bar from operating; a portion of the facility would still be operating. Assistant City Attorney Regan pointed out that the City’s response during an emergency would differ depending on if the entire facility were operating than if a portion of it was; the information was needed to ensure an appropriate response. It was suggested that providing clarification regarding the schedule for operational hours for each establishment would be beneficial. Mr. Sanders provided an explanation as to why the two establishments must operate under one license when they share a mutual entrance and structure. Greg Knoob indicated that if the requirement to provide notification of closure applies to all establishments, including those with beer gardens, it would be fine. It was again recommended that Mr. Knoob address his complaints to the City Council.

Gold Diggers – Rick Brizendine and the bar manager were present to respond to the Board’s inquiries. Mr. Brizendine stated that the hours of operation had not changed, but that the facility had closed while they were  rebranding. Shortly after receiving the notification to attend this meeting, they reopened as a sports bar, Gold Diggers. The Board asked if the City had received notice about the closure and Mr. Brizendine asked if there was a provision in the Code which required it. The requirement was explained and Mr. Brizendine acknowledged that notice had not been provided as they were unaware of the requirement; further, they had not expected to be closed for the length of time they were. The general manager indicated that operational hours are 5:00 p.m. to 2:00 a.m. every day except Sundays when they close at 12:00 a.m. A discrepancy in the hours on the license and application was noted.

Hollywood Lounge – Bobby McBride was present to respond to Board inquiries. The application for Hollywood Lounge indicates the facility is open 4:00 p.m. to 2:00 a.m., but no days of the week are listed. Mr. McBride noted he has only been open a couple of months and that some days are slower than expected which leads him to close. The Clerk suggested that he could send notification of the changes to his operational hours, as needed. Mr. Knoob noted that Mr. McBride’s situation wasn’t uncommon, that bars often choose to close early when business is slow. He asked if they are all required to notify the Commission for all occurrences. The Clerk suggested that it should be done within reason. Mr. Knoob then stated that he knows of a bar that closes early four or five nights a week and they have not been questioned nor have they provided notification. The Chair and Mr. Knoob each shared their thoughts on this matter and tried to clarify their understanding of this issue. Mr. McBride indicated that he operates from 4:00 p.m. to 2:00 a.m., except that on Mondays and Tuesdays he goes home earlier. Mr. McBride asked if he opened earlier for certain events, such as when he opened early on Christmas Eve to distribute toys to children, if that would be acceptable. The Clerk noted that he has a minimum entry age and Mr. McBride stated that it had nothing to do with alcohol; it was noted that the entry age applied at all times. The exception would be if the parent was present, but he was cautioned to be certain that a legal guardian was present under such circumstances.

Mr. Knoob noted that the occupancy on his license was incorrect. He noted that the issue of sprinklers reduced the permitted occupancy from 402 to 299.

4. Consideration of Second Quarter Reports from the Police Department, Fire Department, and Building and Neighborhood Services for License Year 2016-2017

Mr. Knoob stated that liquor establishments had requested that they receive copies of the quarterly reports for over 15 years. There was discussion about providing notification of citations issued in an establishment to the owners of said establishment on a more frequent basis than just quarterly. The Board indicated that this should come back when a representative of the Police Department was present to respond to inquiries. Mr. Knoob responded to inquiries regarding the presence of 18 year olds in Stix. He suggested that it was probable they entered the bar when a doorman was not working; he suggested this was a common practice among all B2 licenses. There was a prolonged discussion regarding B2 licensees not having doormen operating at all times, the inability to prevent underage persons from entering bars, the usual way these issues are handled, and the prevalence of false identification cards. During this discussion, a police representative arrived and participated in this conversation. Mr. Knoob and Lt. Dunning discussed collaboration regarding false ID cards.

D. Monty moved, D. Cisco seconded, to accept and forward the Second Quarter Reports. Vote: All voted aye; motion declared carried.

5. Citizens’ Comments

Anne Gaylord suggested writing letters to the City Council to work around the four-minute comment restriction during City Council meetings. Mr. Knoob indicated that he had done so.

6. Board Comments - None.

7. Adjournment - Meeting adjourned at 6:51 p.m.

http://explorecarbondale.com/sites/default/files/Board%20and%20Commissions%20Minutes.pdf