Alcohol Control Commission

ALCOHOL CONTROL COMMISSION Monday, October 19, 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, Harold Morgan, Steve VanMeter, and Commissioner Davis. John Kendrick was absent. Assistant City Attorney John Hawkins was also present. Minutes – September 21, 2020 The minutes of the September 21, 2020 meeting, as submitted in writing by the Secretary, were approved by unanimous consent. Mini Food Mart, 307 Broad Street The application of Mr. Iqbai Sheikh, owner and manager of the Mini Food Mart, 307 Broad Street, was presented. Mr. Sheikh requested that a new Beer and Wine Package License be issued to him at that location. Mr. Sheik was present, and all papers were in order. Mr. Sheikh explained that he has many years of experience with alcohol sales. His planned hours at 307 Broad Street are approximately 7 a.m. until 10 p.m. seven days per week. Currently, he expects to have two employees at that location, and there are no plans for gaming machines. Mr. Sheikh explained that both employees are experienced; however, he will use a date of birth entry, or ID scan system for his cash register. Mr. Sheikh will also have numerous cameras in his establishment, recording activity at the cash register and other areas of the store both inside and out. Mr. VanMeter moved to approve the license request as submitted. Mr. Doss seconded, and the vote was unanimously in favor. Tops Corner Food Mart, 1105 Calhoun Avenue The application of Mary Jo Vice, manager of Tops Corner Food Mart, 1105 Calhoun Avenue, was presented. Ms. Vice requested that a new Beer Package License be issued to her at that location. This will be Ms. Vice’s first experience with alcohol sales. She explained that this facility will be opened 24-hours a day, seven days a week and yet only plans for three employees. There was not a specific training program outlined to the ACC members. However, she did report that there would be a camera system installed at this facility monitoring both inside the store and outside. The ACC members were concerned of her plans to be open around the clock with only three employees, realizing that is not a realistic plan. There was also concern regarding her lack of a specified training program for these employees and her lack of previous alcohol sales experience. 1 Ms. Vice was instructed to give some serious thought to the type of training program she would like to use and to consider more employees, or less hours of operation. Ms. Vice seemed receptive to these suggestions and indicated that she would be back at the November ACC meeting with more details in these areas. 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 to the ACC members. This is the third time Mr. Jones has been to the ACC meeting trying to gain approval for a new Beer Package License. Mr. Jones reported that there will be a total of five employees at this establishment, and the hours will still be 24-hours a day, seven days per week. Mr. Jones also stated that cameras will be in place and operational. Furthermore, he indicated that training is underway for these employees; however, he could not specify which type of training was being taken. The ACC members continued to express their wishes for Mr. Jones to be successful at this location; however, they still would like more specifications regarding the training for these employees. Mr. Charles Love addressed the Commission. Mr. Love reported that he is the landlord for the shopping center which contains this business. He indicated that he is working with Mr. Jones with the goal of this facility becoming more of a true grocery store, which is needed in this part of North Rome. After further discussion by the ACC, Mr. VanMeter moved to approve the request for the new Beer Package License at Pop’s Food Mart, 1437 North Broad Street, subject to Mr. Jones submitting certificates of the completion of alcohol service training by his employees. Mr. Doss seconded the motion. City Clerk Smith reported they would issue the license at this location once the certificates, and any lingering signoffs, are obtained. 2nd’s On Broad Street, 325 Broad Street The application of Stephanie Shaw, owner and manager of 2nd’s on Broad Street, 325 Broad Street, was presented. Ms. Shaw requested that a Beer, Wine, and Liquor Pouring License be issued to her at that location. Secretary Smith reported that this is the current location of the Brew House. The Brew House, under the management of licensee Eric McJunkin, currently holds a Beer, Wine, and Liquor Pouring license at this site. Ms. Shaw has been working as a manager for Mr. McJunkin for the past year. Ms. Shaw stated that they have not officially settled on a name of the business and that would be reported as soon as it was solidified. She also reported that she has a direct lease with Mr. Larry Martin (the property owner) for this facility. Mr. Martin is also the owner of the kitchen equipment at this location. Ms. Shaw plans to have approximately nine employees and be opened from 5 p.m. to 2 a.m. on Friday and Saturday, and perhaps 2 other days during the week if it is profitable. Ms. Shaw has experience in alcohol service and is familiar with Rome’s Alcohol Rules and Regulations. She plans to continue a “bar/food” type menu and may add lunch in the future. Regarding training, Ms. Shaw reported that one of her employees is a previous trainer in the State of Tennessee Alcohol Training Program. They expect to have an ID scanner, and the other employees will also be taking online alcohol certification training. Ms. Shaw will continue to have off-duty police officers working at this facility as security guards with one at the front door and one at the rear door. Rome Police Major Rodney Bailey reminded the Commission that Rome Police officers can work at alcohol establishments; however, they can work at the entranceway or out front and typically not police inside the building unless they are there to make an arrest. Ms. Shaw expects to offer entertainment at this facility and plans to open on Halloween 2020. She also reported that her target market is those 21 and older; however, she realizes it is necessary to allow the 18 – 20-year-old crowd in at times and understands the additional responsibility that goes along with having persons under 21 in the establishment. Commissioner Davis encouraged Ms. Shaw to take precautions regarding the COVID pandemic and referenced some of the previous comments made by Mr. McJunkin concerning his plans to not follow the COVID guidelines regarding persons inside his business. Mr. Doss moved to approve the license request as submitted, subject to all final inspections and approvals by the appropriate City officials. Mr. VanMeter seconded, and the vote was unanimously in favor. Public Consumption of Alcohol – Marriott Courtyard Ms. Barbara Reeves, representing the Marriott Courtyard Hotel, was present to request permission for the public consumption of alcohol. Ms. Reeves explained that the Marriott will hold the Novembeer Fest on Saturday, November 7, 2020. This festival will last from 1 – 5 p.m. and will take place on the Marriott Courtyard; however, some of the activities may take place on the levee Riverwalk in front of the Courtyard. She explained that there will be ten employees working this event, and they will ensure that no one leaves the levee area in front of the Marriott with their alcoholic beverage. This event seems very well planned, and Mr. VanMeter moved to approve the request for public consumption as submitted. Mr. Morgan seconded, and the vote was unanimously in favor. Police Report Rome Police Major Rodney Bailey was present to present the police report for the previous month. He reported that drunk and disorderly arrests had occurred at the Sports 3 Page on Dean Street and at 333 on Broad Street. These were routine arrests and were properly handled by business management. 24-Hour Convenience Stores Mr. Doss addressed the topic of all-night convenience stores. Some of these businesses seem to offer very little, other than, video gaming machines, and we continue to receive reports that many of these establishments operate gaming machines in an illegal manner with cash payouts. Secretary Smith reminded the ACC that the Rome City Commission has continually asked our State Legislative Delegation to take action to allow local governments more control and oversight of the gaming machines. Currently, the Georgia Lottery Commission has complete oversight of these machines, and local governments are not allowed to prohibit the machines or charge a licensing fee. Adjourned With there being no further business, Chair Sheppard adjourned the meeting at 6 p.m. Joseph F. Smith City Clerk 4