Alcohol Control Commission

ALCOHOL CONTROL COMMISSION Monday, March 21, 2022 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 John Kendrick, Harold Morgan, Billy Cooper, and Commissioner Beeman. Mr. VanMeter was absent. Assistant City Attorney Stephen Moseley and Major Paul Webber were also present. Minutes – January 18, 2022 The minutes of the January 18, 2022 meeting, as submitted in writing by the Secretary, were approved by unanimous consent. There was no February 2022 meeting. Soni 2022 Inc., 611 Shorter Avenue The application of Mr. Bipinchandra V. Soni, owner and operator of Soni 2022, Inc., 611 Shorter Avenue, was presented. Mr. Soni requested that a new Beer Package License be issued to him at that location. Secretary Smith reported this was the former location of a car audio outlet, and there has not been an alcohol license issued at this site previously. Mr. Soni and Mr. Patel were present and explained that this establishment will be a convenient store that will be fully stocked and opened from 6 a.m. to midnight. Monday through Saturday with Sunday hours yet to be determined. They expect to operate this store with a manager and two employees. Both Mr. Soni and Mr. Patel have experience operating similar establishments with alcohol sales in Northwest Georgia. The ACC members inquired regarding their employee training system. Mr. Patel stated there will be a cash register system that requires the IDs to be scanned before an alcohol sale can be made. He is also aware of Rome’s Camera Ordinance regarding convenient stores. Mr. Patel stated that the store will not initially open with coin-operated amusement machines (COAM) but could add them in the future. Mr. Kendrick moved to approve the license request subject to the final inspection and approval by all required City officials. Mr. Morgan seconded, and the vote was unanimously in favor. El Desmadre LLC, 1600 Shorter Avenue, Suite G The application of Mr. Eriberto Vargas, owner, and operator of El Desmadre LLC, 1600 Shorter Avenue, Suite G, was presented. Mr. Vargas requested that a new Beer and Wine Pouring License be issued to him at that location. Secretary Smith stated that this site was the former location of Arabian Nights. Arabian Nights operated at this location as recently as 2021. 1 Mr. Vargas stated this will be a Beer and Wine Pouring establishment and pool hall. He may add a kitchen and a restaurant at a later date, which would qualify him for liquor pouring. He plans to open from 6 p.m. to 2 a.m. each day and have seven employees. The Alcohol Control Commission members discussed his training program and encouraged him to take advantage of some of the online training classes to help educate his employees on the proper service of alcohol. Mr. Vargas was cautioned about his need for an entertainment license for DJs and bands and that he will need prior approval for any special entertainment above and beyond normal musical entertainment and patron dancing. Mr. Vargas plans to only allow people 21 and up to enter his establishment and is aware of Rome’s alcohol service card requirement and security needs. Mr. Morgan moved to approve the pouring license request as submitted, subject to all final inspections and approvals by the appropriate City officials. Mr. Cooper seconded, and the vote was unanimously in favor. Police Report Rome Police Major Paul Webber was present and presented the police report for the previous 60 days. Mr. Webber stated there were no specific incidents to report; however, there continues to be situations where customers have over indulged in alcohol. While there is no evidence specifically of customers being overserved, it appears that is sometimes the case. There also continues to be complaints of late-night noise in the downtown area after establishments close at 2 a.m. Rome Police officers are often needed to help clear the area at the time of bar closings. It was suggested that Secretary Smith send a reminder notice to the affected establishments asking them to take the necessary steps to prevent the over serving of customers and to do all they can to help reduce their customers’ noise at the time of closing. Sidewalk Café There was a discussion regarding Rome’s downtown sidewalk cafes. These sidewalk cafes are located on public property, and there is no lease agreement with the businesses regarding their cafes. There are requirements that establishments must meet in order to have a sidewalk café; including regulations to keep their cafes orderly and clean. There are some sidewalk cafes that are not meeting these basic standards. Mr. Cooper instructed Secretary Smith to notify the Downtown Development Authority of the ACC’s concern regarding the condition of some of the downtown sidewalk cafes. Mr. Kendrick seconded, and the vote was unanimously in favor. 2 Adjourned With there being no further business, Chair Sheppard adjourned the meeting at 5:30 p.m. Joseph F. Smith City Clerk 3