License Commission

Lowell License Commission | Regular Meeting Minutes for June 24, 2021 Date: June 24, 2021 Time: 6:00 PM Location: This meeting is being held place in the City Council Chamber, second floor, City Hall, 375 Merrimack St. on Thursday, June 24, 2021, at 6:00 PM. ROLL CALL: On a roll call at 6:14 PM, members present were, namely: Chairman Descoteaux, Commissioner Donahue, Commissioner Howe, and Commissioner Krieger. MINUTES: 0. Acceptance of meeting minutes for June 10, 2021. Commissioner Krieger made a motion to place on file the minutes from the Lowell License Commission Meeting of Thursday, June 10, 2021; seconded by Commissioner Howe. 4 yeas, APPROVED. 1. Application by Abila Benazea for a "Special One Day License to sell/dispense Malt Beverages & Wines only, or either one," for a 'Service and Celebration of Life' event at the function hall at the Hellenic American Academy School on July 17, 2021, 7:00 PM to 11:00 PM. Move approval by Commissioner Krieger; seconded by Commissioner Donahue. 4 yeas, APPROVED. 2. Public hearing on the application by Shreya and Saloni Corporation [d/b/a] Mill City Convenience, Jovanny Diaz, Manager, for transfer of a "Wines and Malt Beverages" package store license for premises at 494 Westford Street. Attorney Brian Akashian and manager Jovanny Diaz for Shreya and Saloni Corporation dba Mill City Convenience. Atty. Akashian reviewed the background of the license being transferred and the loss of the previous business holding the license. He reviewed Mr. Diaz’s background in management, experience in alcoholic beverage sales and TIPS certification. He also noted that all technical requirements had been met for the license transfer. Atty. Akashian reviewed the location as beneficial and with ample parking. Commissioner Krieger requested clarification regarding the location and inquired into the density of package stores in the area. Atty. Akashian and Commissioner Descoteaux discussed the merits and needs of the location. The landlord for Mill City Convenience, Nick Tziolis, spoke in favor of the applicants and attested to their reliability as his tenants for twenty years. No one spoke in opposition to the application at the public hearing. Rollcall on the motion to grant the license: Commissioner Donahue – Yes; Commissioner Howe – Yes; Commissioner Krieger – vote to continue the matter until next meeting in which the applicant would bring back more information about other license holders in the area; Commissioner Descoteaux – vote to continue the matter until next meeting in which the Page 1 of 4 City of Lowell License Commission | 375 Merrimack St. Lowell, MA 01852 Lowell License Commission | Regular Meeting Minutes for June 24, 2021 applicant would bring back more information about the other license holders in the area. Motion CONTINUANCE to July 15, 2021. 3. Public hearing on the application by Servion Solutions, LLC, Rajavardhan Pedda, Manager, for transfer of a "Wines and Malt Beverages" package store license for premises at 785 Gorham Street. Attorney Brian Akashian with Mr. Pedda for Servion Solutions, LLC. Atty. Akashian discussed Mr. Pedda’s experience and commitment to the location, a gas station and convenience store. He also expressed Mr. Pedda’s desire to enhance the business he has invested so much of himself into. Atty Akashian noted that although Mr. Pedda isn’t trained in beer and wine sales, he (Mr. Pedda) would be going for his TIPS certification once the application was approved. Commissioner Donahue reviewed the location and asked about the license originating business, Jerry’s, which Atty. Akashian confirmed. No one spoke in favor or in opposition at the public hearing. Move approval by Commissioner Howe; seconded by Commissioner Krieger. 4 yeas, APPROVED. 4. Public hearing on the application by MBOA Alliance LLC [d/b/a] Sahel Restaurant & Lounge, Peter Tamajong, Manager, for an "All Alcoholic Beverages" Restaurant license for premises at 135 Central Street. Peter Tamajong and Emile Kamadeu spoke for Sahel Restaurant and Lounge. Commissioner Descoteaux recognized the applicants and reflected on their previous application for a liquor license for the restaurant, which had been granted. Mr. Tamajong explained their oversight in not renewing their license during Covid‐19 closures. Commissioner Descoteaux asked Mr. Tamajong to review the plans for the restaurant, and he did. Commissioner Krieger and Commissioner Howe inquired about the restaurant’s menu and entertainment offerings. Commissioner Descoteaux noted that Sahel Restaurant would be a beneficial addition to its neighborhood. Commissioner Howe asked if key employees and managers would be TIPS certified. Mr. Tamajong replied that the two shift managers will be certified, as well as the bartenders. Commissioner Donahue asked about some of the building challenges that had delayed the inspections; Mr. Tamajong confirmed that all issues were resolved. Mr. Pyers confirmed for Commissioner Descoteaux that the building inspections were complete and abutters replies were on track, and that corporate structure documents were on the way. No one spoke in favor or in opposition at the public hearing. Move approval conditional on remaining paperwork by Commissioner Krieger; seconded by Commissioner Howe. 4 yeas, APPROVED. 5. Application by Be Ekantik Corporation [d/b/a] Village Variety, Pravin Patel, Manager, for transfer of a "Wines and Malt Beverages" package store license for premises at 1301 Pawtucket Boulevard. It is requested that legal notice be published in local newspaper, and public hearing to be held on July 15, 2021 at 6:00 p.m. Page 2 of 4 City of Lowell License Commission | 375 Merrimack St. Lowell, MA 01852 Lowell License Commission | Regular Meeting Minutes for June 24, 2021 Mr. Pravin Patel and his wife and co‐owner, P____ Patel, introduced themselves and said that they were taking over the business his uncle had started 38 years ago because the uncle wished to retire. Motion by Commissioner Howe for a hearing on July 15, 2021, seconded by Commissioner Donahue. 4 yeas, APPROVED. 6. Application by the Committee to Elect Ryan Rourke, Ryan Rourke Owner, for a "Special Events Permit for Amplified Outdoor Public Entertainment," for a Fundraiser, to be held on Thursday, July 1, 2021 from 6:00 PM to 10:00 PM on the patio at Cobblestones Restaurant, 91 Dutton Street. Meghan Stebbins for Mr. Ryan Rourke for an Amplification application. Motion by Commissioner Donahue seconded by Commissioner Howe. 4 yeas, APPROVED. 7. Discussion concerning the implementation of in‐person/video conferencing hybrid meetings. Commissioner Krieger suggested that a video conferencing option should be available to all meeting participants as long as it was legal to do so, and Commissioner Donahue agreed, but stated that he preferred in‐person meetings. Commissioner Howe stated she was agreeable to a hybrid approach if it were legal. Mr. Pyers confirmed that the hybrid format is legal according to Senate Bill No. 2475, which extends the Governor’s suspension of certain provisions of the Open Meeting Law G.L. 30A, Section 20, through April of 2022. Motion by Commissioner Krieger to hold future meetings in a hybrid format as long as it remains legal; seconded by Commissioner Howe. 4 yeas, APPROVED. ADJOURNMENT: Commissioner Krieger made a motion to adjourn at 6:53 PM; seconded by Commissioner Howe. 5 yeas, APPROVED. Submitted by: John Pyers Executive Secretary Page 3 of 4 City of Lowell License Commission | 375 Merrimack St. Lowell, MA 01852