Public Safety & Welfare Committee

CITY OF VERONA PUBLIC SAFETY AND WELFARE COMMITTEE MAY 23, 2016 VERONA CITY HALL MINUTES 1. Call to Order: The meeting was called to order by Evan Touchett at 5:35 p.m. 2. Roll Call: Heather Reekie and Evan Touchett present. Also in attendance: `Police Chief Bernie Coughlin, Sergeant Jesse Christensen, Megan Clark, Ryan Hastings, James Listug, Vance Mindermann, and City Clerk Ellen Clark 3. Approval of Minutes: Motion by Touchett, seconded by Reekie, to approve the minutes of the May 9, 2016 meeting. Motion carried 2-0. Touchett requested unanimous consent of the Committee to take Agenda Item No. 4 out of order. There were no members objecting. 5. Discussion and Possible Action Re: A Premise Description Amendment for Toot & Kate’s Wine Bar, 109 S. Main Street. Chief Coughlin stated the request is to allow outdoor seating on the concrete slab in front of the business. The challenge is that if we fence that area in, we’ll be fencing in the front door of the business. Outside seating areas must be accessed from inside the business, be fenced, and have an outside emergency exit. Building Inspector Brian Flannery expressed concern that the area in question is an accessible means of egress to all tenants fronting S. Main Street. A clear and open path would be needed from the north end of the building to this unit. Megan Clark spoke on behalf of Toot & Kate’s. They just want to do something small so people can sit outside. The building inspector was okay with putting a table or bench in the corner in front of the business. The wine dispensers are inside the building & the entire front of building is glass, so the outdoor area can be observed at all times. Touchett stated he is not comfortable with this from a consistency aspect. We have denied others with the same request for the same reasons. If there were a back door, or one off the side of the building, that would work. Reekie stated that she is of the same opinion. This plan doesn’t meet the city’s requirements, but it would be nice to have an outdoor area out the back or on the side. Motion by Touchett, seconded by Reekie, to deny the premise description amendment for Toot & Kate’s Wine Bar. Motion carried 2-0. 6. Discussion and Possible Action Re: A Special Event Permit for Wisconsin Triterium Triathlon on Saturday, June 25, 2016, from Ryan Hastings of Race Day Events, LLC. Sergeant Christensen stated this event has been held at Firemen’s Park for several years. The running course will be between Bruce Street and S. Main Street. Officers will keep one-way traffic open on Bruce Street. Motion by Touchett, seconded by Reekie, to approve a Special Event Permit for Wisconsin Triterium Triathlon on Saturday, June 25, 2016, from Ryan Hastings of Race Day Events, LLC. Motion carried 2-0. 7. Discussion and Possible Action Re: A Special Event Permit for the 4th Annual Carbone’s Pedaling for Pancreas Bicycle Ride on Saturday, June 25, 2016 from James Listug of the UW Carbone Cancer Center. Sergeant Christensen stated this is a fundraising bike route – not a race. Approximately 200 participants are expected. There are no concerns by the police department. James Listug, speaking on behalf of the event sponsor, stated it is  awesome to have the event here in Verona. They try to use all the bike trails around here. The change of date from previous years was out of their control, but he thinks the June 25th date will work out fine. Motion by Touchett, seconded by Reekie, to approve a Special Event Permit for the 4th Annual Carbone’s Pedaling for Pancreas Bicycle Ride on Saturday, June 25, 2016, from James LIstug. Motion carried 2-0. 6:00 p.m. The Public Safety & Welfare Committee moved from the Council Chambers to Room C101 for the remainder of the meeting. 4. Discussion and Possible Action Re: A Hearing for Vance Mindermann Regarding the Police Chief’s Recommended Denial of Operator’s License. Chief Couglin explained that Mindermann applied for an operator’s license on March 2, 2016. He applied in 2015, and was denied based on convictions and arrest record. He reapplied after 12 months, and was again denied based on convictions and arrest record. He is outside the criteria with which we grant a license. Mindermann was noticed of the denial and his right to appeal at hearing. Mindermann chose to appeal the decision and appear at the hearing. Mindermann stated that he is a different person than he was a few years ago when those convictions took place, and that he is a responsible bartender. Mindermann asked what his driving record has to do with bartending. Touchett answered that it is a question of judgement. Motion by Touchett, seconded by Reekie, to recommend to the Common Council to accept the Police Chief’s recommendation to deny an operator’s license to Vance Mindermann. Motion carried 2-0. 8. Adjournment. Motion by Touchett, seconded by Reekie, to adjourn at 6:15 p.m. Motion carried 2-0. Ellen Clark City Clerk