Alcohol Control Commission

ALCOHOL CONTROL COMMISSION Monday, September 21, 2020 The Alcohol Control Commission met at 5:00 p.m. this date in the City Commission Chambers of City Hall, 601 Broad Street. Monica Sheppard, Chair, was present along with Collin Doss, John Kendrick, Harold Morgan, Steve VanMeter, and Commissioner Davis. Assistant City Attorney Stephen Moseley was also present. Minutes – August 5, 2020 The minutes of the August 5, 2020 meeting, as submitted in writing by the Secretary, were approved by unanimous consent. Legends Café Bar & Grill, 2214 Shorter Avenue The application of Michael Dean, owner of Legends Café Bar & Grill, 2214 Shorter Avenue, was presented. Mr. Dean requested that a new Beer, Wine, and Liquor Pouring License be issued to him at that location. Mr. Dean was present, and all papers were in order. Secretary Smith explained that this property is located in the corner of the Gala Shopping Center near the intersection of Shorter Avenue and Redmond Circle. This site was most recently the home of M & J Home Cooking that has been the site of alcohol license in the past. Mr. Dean stated that he expects to have nine employees, and all will be trained both in- house and via online alcohol programs. He hopes to open on October 15th. Secretary Smith has reviewed Rome’s Food/Drink Ratio, Mixed Drink Tax, allowed hours of alcohol sales and consumption, and the possibility of an Entertainment License with Mr. Dean. Mr. Dean stated that his mother, who has worked at the Coosa Country Club for many years, may be his manager. Mr. Doss moved to approve the license request, subject to all final inspections and approvals by the appropriate City officials. Mr. Kendrick seconded, and the vote was unanimously in favor. Pop’s Food Mart, 1437 North Broad Street The application of William Jones, owner and manager of Pop’s Food Mart, 1437 North Broad Street, was once again presented. Mr. Jones requested that a new Beer Package License be issued to him at that location. Mr. Jones had appeared before the Alcohol Control Commission on August 5, 2020; however, his license request was not approved at that time. At the August meeting, Mr. Jones was instructed to give some thought towards what kind of training program he would like to develop for his employees and return to the ACC at the September meeting to explain his training program and request his alcohol license at that time. 1 Mr. Jones stated that his three employees (along with himself) are all experienced, and he will be installing a cash register system where a date of birth would be required. When questioned by the ACC, Mr. Jones could not explain (with any substantial detail) his actual training program. Mr. Jones was also questioned about the camera system that is required by the Rome Alcohol Ordinance any time there is only one employee on duty. Mr. Jones appeared unsure of the current status of his camera system. Once again, Mr. Jones indicated that this store is in operation 24 hours a day, seven days a week even though he only has four employees. Chairman Sheppard opened the floor for a motion regarding this alcohol request; however, there was no motion made. After more discussion by the ACC members, Mr. Jones was instructed to give more serious thought to his training program. Both the TIPS Program and Safe Serve Program were suggested as possible alternatives for Mr. Jones and his employees. Both the regular employees and the “backup” employees could all complete the training program, and Mr. Jones could supply documentation to that effect at the October ACC meeting and his license would be given additional consideration at that time. Speedy Mart, 1705 Shorter Avenue Mr. Viral Patel, owner and manager of the planned Speedy Mart, 1705 Shorter Avenue, was presented. Mr. Patel explained that he would like to get approval for a Beer Package License, and he plans to acquire four parcels near the intersection of Burnett Ferry Road and Shorter Avenue, demolish the current structures, and build a new Speedy Mart convenient store. One of the four parcels was rezoned recently by the Rome City Commission. Mr. Patel is experienced in the world of alcohol service. He currently owns Cheers Liquor Store, located on Shorter Avenue. Mr. Patel further explained that he will have ten or more employees at this establishment, and his hours are planned for 6 a.m. until 11 p.m. They will use a cash register system in which IDs are scanned prior to the sale of alcohol, and he will ensure that all employees are trained. Mr. Doss moved to approve the Beer Package License request as submitted, subject to all final inspections and approvals by the appropriate City officials. Mr. Kendrick seconded, and the vote was unanimously in favor. Mr. Patel stated that the project should take approximately eight months, and he hopes to be open in late spring or summer 2021. Texas Roadhouse, 1403 Turner McCall Boulevard The application of Brett Fraser, manager of Texas Roadhouse, 1403 Turner McCall Boulevard, was presented. Mr. Fraser requested that a new Beer, Wine, and Liquor 2 Pouring License be issued to him at that location. Secretary Smith explained this will be one of the restaurants located in the new East Bend Development at the intersection of Turner McCall Boulevard and Hicks Drive. Mr. Fraser introduced Ms. Brandy Kelly who will be the manager as well as an investor in this particular restaurant. Ms. Kelly has more than ten years of experience with Texas Roadhouse. Mr. Fraser and Ms. Kelly explained that the 180 employees at this facility will be trained using the E-TIPS and Serve Safe Program. Their planned opening date is December 7, 2020. Mr. VanMeter moved to approve the license request as submitted, subject to all final inspections and approvals by the appropriate City officials. Mr. Morgan seconded, and the vote was unanimously in favor. El Patron, 1802 Redmond Circle, Suite D – Entertainment Request Mr. Felipe Martinez, licensee at El Patron, and Mr. Israel Alamia were present to request approval for special entertainment at El Patron, 1802 Redmond Circle, Suite D. Mr. Alamia explained that, on Saturday, September 26th, they would like permission to hold a wrestling event at their facility. Mr. Alamia explained this would be a family-friendly event with the doors opening at 6 p.m. with the show scheduled to last approximately from 8 p.m. until 10 p.m. El Patron will close after the conclusion of the wrestling show. Mr. Alamia stated that there will be approximately 14 wrestlers with the majority of them coming from the Rome community. He explained there is a group of young men who have a wrestling facility on the Alabama Highway and would like to have an event at their facility. There will also be approximately four Hispanic wrestlers as part of the “card” that will be coming here from Tennessee. Mr. Alamia explained that there will be four security guards working this event, and four additional wrestling guards that will work the corners of the ring. Mr. Alamai revealed there are currently some minor issues at their facility that have been discovered by the Rome Fire Marshal − issues such as extension cords, access to breaker panel, and sign illuminations that are items that can be corrected relatively easily this week. Mr. Alamia stated that, if the ACC will grant approval for the request and the Fire Marshal is satisfied, the event will move forward. There was discussion regarding the size of the crowd that can be allowed in this facility under the Governor’s COVID-19 limitations. Mr. Alamia seems aware of what is allowed and stated that he will adhere to those guidelines. After a brief discussion by the ACC, Mr. Kendrick moved to approve the entertainment request as submitted. Mr. Doss seconded, and the vote was unanimously in favor. Police Report Rome Police Major Rodney Bailey was present and presented a police report for the previous six-week period. He highlighted one incident that took place at the Mellow 3 Mushroom on the morning of August 30th, which resulted in three arrests. This incident was managed by the Mellow Mushroom security personnel, and the Rome Police Department was contacted. Adjourned With there being no further business, the meeting was adjourned at 5:53 p.m. Joseph F. Smith City Clerk 4