Licenses and Permits Committee

City of Somerville, Massachusetts City Council Licenses and Permits Committee Meeting Minutes Wednesday, March 27, 2024 6:00 PM This meeting was held via Zoom, was called to order by Chair Burnley at 6:02pm and adjourned at 6:20pm with a roll call vote of 3 in favor (Councilors Ewen-Campen, Councilor Mbah, Chair Burnley), none opposed, and none absent. Others present: Trish Farnsworth – Attorney for AMF Bowling Centers, Natasha Frazier – Assistant Clerk of Committees, Michael Potere – Licensing Operations Manager. Roll Call Present: City Councilor At Large Willie Burnley Jr., City Councilor At Large Wilfred N. Mbah and Ward Three City Councilor Ben Ewen-Campen 1. Committee Approval of the Minutes of the Licenses and Permits Committee Meeting of Minutes February 14, 2024. (ID # 24-0184) RESULT: ACCEPTED AYE: City Councilor At Large Burnley Jr., City Councilor At Large Mbah and Ward Three City Councilor Ewen-Campen 2. License New Billiards and Bowling License, Lucky Strike, 325 Revolution Drive, (ID # 24-0156) for 5 billiard tables and 8 bowling lanes. Trish Farnsworth, attorney representing Lucky Strike, is seeking to transfer licenses to AMF Bowling Centers, or apply for new licenses that are not transferable. She stated that licenses for these locations were purchased in one transaction as part of fourteen Lucky Strike Centers. Councilor Mbah stated this is a routine matter and he is willing to support the license transfer. Councilor Ewen-Campen also expressed his support. Chair Burnley asked if AMF Bowling owns other locations in Somerville and if there is a history of AMF Bowling in the Somerville community. Ms. Farnsworth stated AMF Bowling does not have other locations in Somerville, but there have been other locations in Massachusetts for a number of years. Chair Burnley stated that he was curious if the City is welcoming a new partner in the community, or if someone is returning from a long time away and inquired as to how AMF Bowling will be as a neighbor. Ms. Farnsworth stated that AMF Bowling Centers is respectful of laws and dedicated to the community, and has 345 centers in 36 States. Chair Burnley asked Mr. Potere if Lucky Strike was planning to apply for several licenses regarding arcade related electronics, and Mr. Potere confirmed that license was previously approved in February, and stated that they are squared away for food, alcohol, sales, and auto entertainment devices. Chair Burnley stated that he sees no issue with these license transfers. Page 1 of 2 Licenses and Permits Committee Meeting Minutes March 27, 2024 RESULT: RECOMMENDED TO BE APPROVED AYE: City Councilor At Large Burnley Jr., City Councilor At Large Mbah and Ward Three City Councilor Ewen-Campen 3. License New Extended Operating Hours License, Lucky Strike, 325 Revolution (ID # 24-0157) Drive, opening Monday-Sunday until 2am for in-store service only. Agenda item 3, ID #24-0157 was taken up with agenda item 2, ID #24-0156. RESULT: RECOMMENDED TO BE APPROVED AYE: City Councilor At Large Burnley Jr., City Councilor At Large Mbah and Ward Three City Councilor Ewen-Campen 4. License New Used Car Dealer Class 2 License, Ravelo's Auto Sales, 61 Washington (ID # 24-0267) St, for 0 vehicles inside and 1 vehicles outside, Mon-Fri: 8am-6pm, Sat: 8am-2pm, Sun: closed. Mr. Potere stated that this is an existing car garage that does repairs and they are seeking to add used car sales for one car only. He researched if there are tickets or complaints and he found none relevant to this application. Mr. Potere did not personally reach out to this applicant to remind applicant of the meeting tonight. Councilor Ewen-Campen requires applicants to appear if there are issues with any application, but given there is a history of no issues and this is for one spot, Councilor Ewen-Campen favored of approval even with applicant absent per what Mr. Potere said. Councilor Mbah stated that applicants may not understand the process and prefers to support them rather than make it more complicated for them. Chair Burnley noted that there is a process in which applicants made aware via mail and phone calls generally, and that Mr. Potere stated he did not personally reach out to this applicant. Chair Burnley suggested applicants also check the Somerville Times. Chair Burnley noted that there are four spots available and the applicant is only asking for one spot and would be curious why that is, but is happy to accept a motion for recommendation of approval. RESULT: RECOMMENDED TO BE APPROVED AYE: City Councilor At Large Burnley Jr., City Councilor At Large Mbah and Ward Three City Councilor Ewen-Campen Page 2 of 2