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HomeMy WebLinkAbout03/26/2015 Liquor Authority MinutesMINUTES FOR LIQUOR AUTHORITY MEETING CITY OF WHEAT RIDGE, COLORADO 7500 West 29th Avenue, Municipal Building March 26, 2015 Chair Shaver called the Liquor Authority Meeting to order at 9:00 a.m. Liquor Authority Members present: Robert Alldredge Bruce Mcintyre Carolyn Peterson Claudia Worth Paul Shaver Lisza Nazarenus Tony Davia John Miks was absent Also present: City Clerk Janelle Shaver; City Attorney, Jerry Dahl; Police Officer Steve Berkowitz; the applicants for the public hearing APPROVAL OF MINUTES OF January 22. 2015 Motion by Carolyn Peterson to approve the minutes of January 22, 2015; seconded by Tony Davia ; carried 4-3, with members Mcintyre, Alldredge and Nazarenus abstaining. Item 1. Public Hearing-Application for Modification of Premises to Include a Drive Through Window, Valley Liquors, 4992 Ward Road, Wheat Ridge, CO 80033 Chair Shaver introduced Item 1. City Clerk Shaver introduced Young RanCho, owner of Valley Liquors and explained that although the drive through window is already part of the licensed premises, the applicant is presenting the Modification for approval because it "substantially alters the ... usage of the licensed premises from the plans and specifications submitted at the time of obtaining the original license" according to Liquor Regulations § 47 -302(A). The Special Use Permit for the drive through was approved by Community Planning and Development on March 4, 2015. Liquor License Board Minutes March 26, 2015 Page 2 Mr. Shaver swore in the applicant, Young RanCho, and his translator, Hyo Kyung Lee. Mr. Cho explained that since he bought the liquor store three and half years ago, business has been very slow. He knew that fifteen years ago, the previous owners of the store had a drive through window, so he has applied to reopen the drive through window in the hope of increasing his business. Mr. Davia asked about the drive through window with the previous owners. Officer Berkowitz responded that, under the previous owners, the store had numerous violations for selling to minors through the drive through window and it was the decision of the Liquor Authority many years ago to shut down the drive through window. However, since there is a new owner in place, there is no reason why the drive through could not be reopened . City Attorney Dahl stated he recalled that particular case and the Liquor Authority (with was City Council at the time) decided that the drive through window made it much harder for the clerks to adequately check I D's, etc. He did remember that it was the decision of the Authority at the time that the licensee was unable or unwilling to check I D's for liquor sales. Ms. Peterson asked Mr. Cho if he was aware of the problems that had occurred with the previous owner of the store. He stated he wasn't but would make sure to consider all of the previous problems when selling liquor. Mr. Cho stated he checks ID's from anyone buying liquor in his store. Ms. Peterson asked if the drive through would be open the same hours as the store. Mr. Cho said it would be. Ms. Worth asked how many people work in the store. Mr. Cho stated two people work in the store. Mr. Alldredge asked if the licensee has had any previous liquor violations. Officer Berkowitz said he has no recollection of any violations. Mr. Cho stated about 2 and a half years ago, his store had a violation for selling to a minor. It was a mistake, and now they don't sell to anyone without checking ID. Ms. Nazarenus expressed her concerns with people buying through a car window, that it would be more difficult to see if the buyer was intoxicated. Mr. Cho stated that he speaks to every potential buyer when checking their I D's. This helps him check the status of the buyer. He has a step by step process in place. Liquor License Board Minutes March 26, 2015 Page 3 Mr. Dahl stated the Authority has several options about this application. They can opt to make the approval good for only a year and renew it separately from their annual renewal, or the Authority can opt at any time to order a Show Cause Hearing. Ms. Peterson stated she felt the Authority needs to give the applicant a chance. This is a new owner with new procedures in place. Mr. Alldredge stated he hates to see more layers of complication added to the application. If there is a problem, the Authority will hear about it and can address it at that time. Motion by Mr. Alldredge to approve the application for modification of premises for YSK Group, Inc., dba Valley Liquor, 4992 Ward Road, Wheat Ridge, Colorado, on the basis of the following findings: 1. Public Notice of the hearing on the Application was published and posted on the property as required by Colorado law; 2. The applicant currently holds a retail liquor store license; 3. The applicant was issued a Special Use Permit dated 3/4/2015 pursuant to the zoning laws of the City; 4. The applicant is entitled to possession of the premises for which the application is made; 5. The applicant has submitted all pertinent fees relating to the application; and authorize the Chair of the Liquor Authority to sign the application." Seconded by Mr. Davia; carried 5-2, with Mrs. Worth and Mrs. Nazarenus voting no. Item 2. ChairNice Chair Elections Per Liquor Authority Bylaws, "A Chairperson and Vice Chairperson shall be elected on a rotating basis at the first regular meeting in March of each year. The Chairperson shall be elected on a rotating basis and shall not succeed himself/herself. " Ballots were passed out and tallied by City Clerk Shaver. Mr. Miks was elected Chairperson. Mr. Davia was elected Vice Chairperson. Chair: John Miks received 4 votes, Claudia Worth received 2 votes, Carolyn Peterson received 1 vote, and Mr. Miks becomes Chair from March 2015 until March 2016. Liquor License Board Minutes March 26, 2015 Page4 Vice Chair: Anthony Davia received 3 votes, Carolyn Peterson received 2 votes, Paul Shaver and Robert Alldredge each received 1 vote. Mr. Davia is the new Vice Chair from March 2015 until March 2016. CITY ATTORNEY'S MATTERS POLICE DEPARTMENT MATTERS Officer Steve Berkowitz announced that The Office Bar has closed. Clancy's will be opening in that location. LIQUOR AUTHORITY MEMBERS MATTERS Mrs. Worth asked that in the future the applicant's name(s) be typed out somewhere in the packet. When the signature is not legible the Authority members have no way of knowing the name of the applicant. Mrs. Peterson inquired about the status of the Watering Hole #2's transfer of ownership. Clerk Shaver informed the Authority that the application was withdrawn and will be submitted with different ownership. Mr. Davia asked if 3 Agaves has a liquor license. Clerk Shaver explained that the Authority did grant them a liquor license, but quite a bit of time went by before they opened . They have already renewed their license. Meeting adjourned at 9:35 a.m. nelle Shaver, C1ty Clerk a,2) APPROVED BY LIQUOR ~UT~ORITY ON April . 2015 BY A VOTE OF /_e TO () ~ ff\; ltb a 'o b ·kt..-1 I'\£C