Beer Board

CITY OF BRISTOL TENNESSEE MINUTES OF THE BEER BOARD MEETING HELD JUNE 19, 2013 BOARD MEMBERS PRESENT CITY EMPLOYEES PRESENT Mr. Craig Kistner – Chairman Chief Blaine Wade Mr. Walt Vernon – Vice Chairman Lt. Glenn James Ms. Helen Pickel Mr. Jack Hyder Mr. Vince Turner Ms. Robin Stedman Mr. Mike Ketron Call to Order – At approximately 5:00 pm on June 19, 2013, Mr. Kistner, Chairman of the Beer Board for the City of Bristol, Tennessee, called the meeting to order in the Conference Room of the Ewell L. Easley Municipal Bldg., located at 104 Eighth St., Bristol, Tennessee. Review of Minutes – Board Members reviewed the May 15, 2013 meeting minutes, the minutes were approved as read. NEW BUSINESS Little Italy, 16 6th Street, Bristol, TN, 37620 – Mr. Roland Ramirez, Owner, appeared before the Board to request a Permanent On Premises Permit. Lt. James advised the Application is complete and all fees paid, background checks completed, and inspections completed, and notice posted the last day of May 2013. Mr. Ramirez and his wife, Sharon Ramirez, Co-Owner, have attended the Alcohol Awareness Education class. Mr. Kistner asked if they have another business on Hwy 421 just outside of Bristol, and if they serve beer there. Mr. Ramirez said they have had a restaurant out on Hwy 421 for 18 years, but do not serve beer. Mr. Kistner asked Mr. Ramirez if he has experience in serving alcohol, he said he does. Mr. Kistner called for questions or comments from the Board, there being none he asked if there were any comments or questions from the public, there were none. There being no further discussion he called for a Motion, Mr. Turner made a Motion to approve the Permit, seconded by Mr. Vernon. The Motion was approved by unanimous vote. PENDING BUSINESS Pending Applications – Lt. James advised two businesses are having a transfer of ownership, necessitating application for a new Permit, the Troutdale Dining Room and two Scotchman convenience stores, GPM Southeast, (Volunteer Pkwy. and West State Street). He was asked to address the Board requesting a called meeting on July 3rd, 2013. Obtaining a new Permit at the beginning of July would enable a smooth transfer to the new owner, and prevent any inconvenience to customers. Mr. Ketron asked if the transfer of ownership would be taking place at the beginning of July, Lt. James advised that is their plan. Ms. Pickel asked about meeting on July 2nd, Lt. James advised the posted notice requirements make July 3rd the earliest date the Permits could be approved. Mr. Kistner asked which Board Members, besides himself, will be available on July 3rd, Ms. Pickel and Mr. Ketron said they would be. Mr. Turner asked 1 who establishes the required standards for obtaining a new Permit in a situation like this, and if it is possible to allow them a grace period between Permits without halting the sale of beer. Mr. Hyder advised the State of Tennessee sets out the standards, and State Law says as soon as the new owner takes ownership the previous owners Permit automatically expires. Mr. Kistner asked if the Conference Room will be available on July 3rd, Lt. James advised it is. Mr. Kistner advised the Board will meet in a called meeting on July 3rd, 2013, at 5:00 pm. Mr. Kistner asked if there are any other Applications pending for July 2013, Lt. James advised he has received an Application for Renewal of a Temporary Permit. Mr. Turner asked if it will be possible to consider it on July 3rd also, Lt. James said he would check, if not, they will need to be heard at the next regularly scheduled meeting on July 17th. Mr. Kistner asked about the August 2013 meeting. Lt. James advised the regularly scheduled meeting in August will put it in the middle of Race Week, two Temporary Permits are up for renewal and both do intend to renew their Permits so need to be heard before the races, therefore he requested the August Board Meeting be scheduled for August 14, 2013. Mr. Kistner approved the change. OLD BUSINESS Bristol’s House of Harmony, 102 Belmont Dr., Bristol, TN, 37620 – Lt. James advised the Beer Permit for Bristol’s House of Harmony, issued in May 2013, was turned in shortly before this meeting. Mr. Jerry Powers, Officer of Bel Rae Ballroom Inc., former occupants of this location, asked to address the Board. Mr. Powers advised he, along with other investors, opened Bel Rae Ballroom in June 2012, in January 2013 the business was flooded due to problems with the bowling alley next door, and outside problems not disclosed by the buildings owner. He stated they were informed by the service company brought in to clean it up that there was black mold in the walls and the floors, so the investors are in the process of suing the bowling alley as well as the buildings owner. Mr. Powers stated he wants the Board to know it presents a major health issue if anyone else opens a business there, plus the ongoing litigation. Ms. Pickel advised it passed inspection when Bristol’s House of Harmony applied for a Permit, Mr. Powers said the Inspector was not told about the black mold. Mr. Kistner advised that would probably be a matter for the Health Inspector. Chief Wade advised Lt. James has a copy of a memo dated June 13, 2013 received from the Mr. Karl Cooler, Administrator, City Code Inspectors, addressing Mr. Powers concerns, Mr. Kistner asked Lt. James to read it (attch #1). Mr. Powers related he is only going by what they were told by the service company. Mr. Kistner called for any further business, there being none he advised the next meeting will be July 3rd, 2013, at a called meeting. The meeting was adjourned. 2