License Commission

Lowell License Commission | Meeting Minutes Approved for September 30, 2021 Date: September 30, 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, September 30, 2021, at 6:00 PM and remotely by Zoom: Meeting ID: 856 3924 1605 Passcode: 774118. ROLL CALL: On a roll call at 18:00, members present were, namely: Chairman Descoteaux, Commissioner Donahue, Commissioner Howe, and Commissioner Krieger. MINUTES: 0. Acceptance of meeting minutes for September 16, 2021. Commissioner Krieger made a motion to place on file the minutes from the Lowell License Commission Meeting of Thursday, September 16, 2021; seconded by Commissioner Howe. 4 yeas, APPROVED. 1. Application by Brew’d Awakening Coffeehaus, Andrew Jacobson Manager, for a "Special Events Permit for Amplified Outdoor Public Entertainment," for a ‘Kappa Delta Phi fundraiser,’ to be held on Saturday, October 23rd, 2021 from 5:00 to 8:30 PM on Brew’d Awakening’s patio, 61 Market Street. Mr. Jacobson described the upcoming event, a fundraiser for ΚΔΦ and suicide prevention. They expect about 30 attendees and might have some live guitar music. Move approval by Commissioner Howe; seconded by Commissioner Krieger. 4 yeas, APPROVED. 2. Application by the Arts League of Lowell, Steve Syverson President, for two "Special One Day Licenses to sell/dispense Wines only." The first is for the ‘Without Borders / Solo Fronteras’ artist reception at the ALL Arts Gallery, 307 Market Street, on Saturday, October 2nd, 2021, from 3:00 to 5:00 PM. The second is for the ‘Alone/Together’ artist reception at the ALL Arts Gallery, 307 Market Street, on Saturday, November 13th, 2021, from 3:00 to 5:00 PM. Mr. Syverson noted that these two events would be just like the last several events he’s hosted at the ALL Arts Gallery – all exhibit opening receptions, all between 30 and 50 attendees. Move approval by Commissioner Howe; seconded by Commissioner Donahue. 4 yeas, APPROVED. 3. Application by Aramark, Ashley Roper, Catering Manager, for two “Special One Day Licenses to sell/dispense Malt Beverages & Wines Only.” The first is for the ‘Costello Ribbon Cutting’ at the Page 1 of 4 City of Lowell License Commission | 375 Merrimack St. Lowell, MA 01852 Lowell License Commission | Meeting Minutes Approved for September 30, 2021 Costello Athletic Center, 175 Riverside Street, on Friday, October 15th, 2021. The second is for the ‘Hall of Fame Dinner’ at University Crossing, 220 Pawtucket Street, on Saturday, October 16th, 2021. Tabitha Garnett, the Site Manager for Aramark, attended the meeting in place of Ms. Roper, who needed to attend her offspring. Ms. Garnet explained that the Hall of Fame event would have about 120 participants and the Ribbon Cutting event would have about 150 attendees. She also confirmed that all bartenders and managers were appropriately trained, as per Aramark standards. Move approval by Commissioner Donahue; seconded by Commissioner Krieger. 4 yeas, APPROVED. 4. Public hearing on the application by Holy Ghost Society, all alcoholic beverages club licensee, for a ‘change of license manager’ to Nelson Veiga, for premises at 65 Village Street. Mr. Veiga and the Commissioners discussed the Holy Ghost Society’s history, and Mr. Veiga described his own work experience as a manager for various restaurants in Lowell and Nashua. Commissioner Donahue asked about the 1‐Day Alcohol Permit (Manny Vasconcelos) application for an August event, which was not approved. Mr. Veiga explained that the Club had been closed for almost a year because of Covid‐19, and some of the business they had “in process,” like a change in manager, were not completed. Commissioner Donahue noted the positive impact the Holy Ghost Society has on the community. Move approval by Commissioner Krieger; seconded by Commissioner Howe. 4 yeas, APPROVED. 5. Public hearing on the application by 99 Restaurants of Boston LLC, all alcoholic beverages restaurant licensee, for a ‘change of officers’ for premises at 850 Chelmsford Street. Attorney Elizabeth Pisano reviewed the “Change of LLC Manager” being applied for. Move approval by Commissioner Krieger; seconded by Commissioner Howe. 4 yeas, APPROVED. 6. Public hearing on the application by Cafeto Corporation, Karolina Cermeno‐Upegui, Manager, for an "All Alcoholic Beverages" restaurant license for premises at 1018 Gorham Street. Attorney Michael Zaim present. Ms. Cermeno‐Upegui spoke about the company’s four founding members, their backgrounds, and their roles in the company. She also described her pathway to citizenship, their shared heritage, and what they are bringing to Lowell. Mr. Zaim reviewed some of the technical details and confirmed that everyone was either fully trained in all aspects of food safety and liquor liability – or finishing up their certification. Move approval by Commissioner Donahue; seconded by Commissioner Howe. 4 yeas, APPROVED. 7. Public hearing on the application by Lakeview Liquors Inc., Jayeshkumar Patel, Manager, for transfer of an "All Alcoholic Beverages" package store license for premises at 815 Lakeview Avenue. Page 2 of 4 City of Lowell License Commission | 375 Merrimack St. Lowell, MA 01852 Lowell License Commission | Meeting Minutes Approved for September 30, 2021 Attorney Brian Akashian reviewed JayeshKumar Patel’s work history in the Lowell area, as well as the businesses he currently had an interest in. The commissioners agreed that Mr. Patel has almost 20 years’ experience managing local businesses, and at least a decade managing local package store liquor licenses without any issues or complaints. Move approval by Commissioner Howe; seconded by Commissioner Krieger. 4 yeas, APPROVED. 8. Public hearing on the application by K&Y Lowell Inc. [d/b/a] bb.q Chicken, Tao Chen Manager, for transfer of an "All Alcoholic Beverages restaurant" license for premises at 143 Merrimack Street. Attorney David Boisvert reviewed the application and culinary resume of Tao Chen, the license manager applicant. Mr. Chen currently manages a license for a restaurant in Boston; he has over a decade experience in managing a restaurant that serves alcoholic beverages, and he is TIPS certified. Move approval by Commissioner Donahue; seconded by Commissioner Krieger. 4 yeas, APPROVED. 9. Application for Second Hand Motor Vehicles – Used Car Dealer, Class II, for Prime Motors Corporation, Fernando Guimaraes, Owner, for premises at 511 Middlesex Street, , an open lot approx. 4,000 sq. ft. with one story building approximately 750 square feet. Michael Souza, Manager and Fernando Guimaraes, Owner present. Mr. Souza discussed their experience working at different auto dealerships and how they seek to parlay their experience into a new business venture. They see this small used car dealership (8 vehicles) as the perfect size for their start‐up. They are both relocating to Lowell with their families. Move approval by Commissioner Krieger; seconded by Commissioner Donahue. 4 yeas, APPROVED. 10. Motion by Commissioner Donahue: Request Lowell Police Department designate a representative to appear at all License Commission meetings, per past practice. Commissioner Donahue reviewed the Lowell Police Department’s level of participation prior to Covid‐ 19 shutting City Hall and local businesses down. He also discussed the benefits of LPD participation in providing information regarding licensed businesses and events. Commissioner Donahue also noted that since Lowell businesses are opening back up after Covid‐19 shut‐downs and extending their hours back to pre‐Covid levels, we should expect that issues and complaints could return to pre‐Covid levels too, and that it would be good to have an LPD representative on hand to discuss these matters. All Commissioners agreed. Furthermore, all Commissioners agreed that LPD was welcome, but not required at all License Commission meetings; recognizing that some meetings had very light agendas with no issues, complaints, or controversy. They also noted that LPD should be present for any meeting where they might have information regarding any “One‐Day” applications or applicants, and that if the Commission felt there was a need for LPD participation in a particular meeting, they would convey so through the Secretary of the License Commission. Page 3 of 4 City of Lowell License Commission | 375 Merrimack St. Lowell, MA 01852 Lowell License Commission | Meeting Minutes Approved for September 30, 2021 Roll call on the motion to request LPD participation in License Commission meetings as needed: Commissioner Descoteaux – Yes, Commissioner Donahue – Yes, Commissioner Howe – Yes, and Commissioner Krieger ‐ Yes. 4 yeas, APPROVED. ADJOURNMENT: Commissioner Krieger made a motion to adjourn at 18:34; seconded by Commissioner Donahue. 4 yeas, APPROVED. Submitted by: John Pyers Executive Secretary ✻ Page 4 of 4 City of Lowell License Commission | 375 Merrimack St. Lowell, MA 01852