| 7/31/2017 | 0 |
COMMON COUNCIL
| APPROVED
Minutes note: Renewal, with a thirty (30) day suspension, based on the police report and neighborhood testimony of the Class A Malt & Class A Liquor license for Nael Jabbar for the premises located at 2643 W Atkinson Ave (“Hot Spot Supermarket”) in the 1st aldermanic district. (no written objections have been filed)
| Pass | 15:0 |
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| 7/18/2017 | 0 |
LICENSES COMMITTEE
| RECOMMENDED FOR APPROVAL
Minutes note: 01 JABBAR, Nael N, Agent for "HOT SPOT SUPERMARKET, LLC", Class A Malt & Class A Liquor License Renewal Application for "HOT SPOT SUPERMARKET" at 2643 W ATKINSON Av. (Expired 2/6/2017)
The applicant stated that he is not sure of the fight referenced by Ms. Green. He stated that he has reached out to Ms. Green and offered to bring her into the store. He offered to come to her home if she feels uncomfortable. He stated that he asked Mr. Tony why he would come to the meeting against him if he didn't want to work with him. He stated that he reports the loitering to the police, provides footage, and security records of incidents. He stated that he's owned it for approximately 15 years and it's been family-owned for over 35 years. He stated that it takes time to clear up the issues and he's been working to address them. He stated that he is willing to work with those in opposition, but they need to be willing to work with him in return. He stated that he will continue to reach out to those in opposition. The applicant agreed to keep the Outreach Coordinator intact and to add to the current Plan of Operation.
Appearing with the applicant:
Atty. Jeffrey Guerard stated that the applicant has hired additional security guards, addressed loitering issues by filing injunctions against perpetrators. He stated that the applicant has installed 49 security cameras to improve surveillance and can be viewed by phone at any time. He asked Ms. Green the time when she sees the fights. He asked Mr. Tony if he's attended any safety meetings in the last year and what time did he witness the loitering on Sunday. He stated that the injunction the applicant is filing is to address the loitering issues and three injunctions have been filed to date. He stated that the injunctions are filed to prohibit the return of violators who are involved in drug dealing and threatening the life of the applicant. He stated that the police were provided access to the cameras for the time requested, not 24 hours access until after the previous hearing. He stated that the 24 hour camera access assisted the police with several arrests and that the name of the store will be changed by the applicant. He stated that those that are in support live in close proximity of the premises.
Individual also present:
Pres. Hamilton stated that there have been several community meetings since the last meeting on the expectations from the neighborhood. He stated that there have been some improvements and some of the issues faced in the neighborhood are occurring throughout the city. He stated that the police are not present stating that they want to close the premises and it was never the expectation that the license would not be renewed. He stated that he is a part of the community and attended several community meetings. He stated that those closest to the premises are the ones that have direct testimony on what actually takes place at and around the establishment and some weight should be given to that testimony. He stated that he has reviewed videos, visited the neighborhood, and witnessed significant improvement. He stated that the applicant funds the outreach coordinator. He stated that it is cleaner, the neighborhood is working together, and there is a relationship with the police. He stated that it should be considered that the applicant provides and help the neighborhood with obtaining jobs. He recommends a suspension of 30 days.
Individuals present in opposition:
Janell Elder-Green, 4333 N 29th St stated that she has witnessed drastic changes in the neighborhood and is afraid for the children that are in the area. She stated that there is fighting, loitering, and drug dealing that occur on and around the premises. She is in opposition and hasn’t noticed any improvements with the last incident witnessed occurring on May 24th. She stated that she didn't know if those fighting were patrons of the premises. She stated that the owner was breaking up the fight outside of the establishment. She stated that she never met the applicant, he recently began to be nice to her and she wished he would have tried months before now. She stated that the premises adds to the destruction of the neighborhood.
Vince Tony 2721 W Roosevelt Dr stated he was told by the applicant that things were going to improve and that hasn't happened. He stated that he's witnessed loitering on several occasions and on one occasion noticed security and three others. He stated that the area is dangerous, the premises are a hazard to the neighborhood, and he is in opposition.
Sharon Price 4329 N 29th St stated that the neighborhood is deteriorating. She stated that she's witnessed loitering every morning from the premises to the park and the street is often blocked by cars stopping in front of the premises. She stated that there are trash and drug dealings in front of the store, inside cars. She reported the incidents to the police and alderman. She stated that at 7 AM there are approximately 15 people around the premises, not sure what time the store opens, and it has become a magnet for drug dealings.
Individuals present in support:
Martha Freeman 4388 N 27th St stated that the applicant is willing to work with the neighborhood and she is in support. She stated that the premises are not the issue, the community is trying to work with the young men that are causing issues in the neighborhood, and the issues occur throughout the neighborhood. She stated that there are cleanup crews to clean the street daily.
Sean Moore 4381 N 26th St stated that the neighbors were asked to get involved and he is in support. He stated that there is loitering, but it's not associated with this premises. He stated that he previously testified in opposition, but has witnessed a great improvement. He stated that he believes that if the applicant continues his improvements the neighborhood can change for the better, if the neighbors are strong on expectations of the applicant. He stated that he is the Chairperson for Community Outreach Engagement and takes the community issues to the owners to come up with viable solutions.
Felicia Ferguson 4392 N 27th St stated that she is in support and the applicant is a great contributor to the neighborhood. She stated that she is the Outreach Coordinator for the applicant and placed applications for job opportunities at the premises for those in the community. She stated that she hasn’t witnessed any loitering.
Jimmy Wilkins 2511 W Atkinson Ave stated that the applicant has made improvements and he is in support.
Jessica Allen 1946 N 39th St stated that she works at the premises and is in support. She stated that the applicant works with her in scheduling her employment around the care of her child.
Maria Gomez 2225 N 34th St stated that she is employed by the applicant, witnessed improvements, and is in support.
James Tate 2434 W Roosevelt Dr stated he is in support.
James Cocroft 2615 W Atkinson Ave stated there is improvement and he is in support. He stated that the loitering is at the park and a vacant house in the neighborhood. He stated that the applicant cleans the neighborhood regularly.
Lashonda Jordan 2609 W Roosevelt Dr stated that she has seen improvement and is in support.
Joe Bova, 4468 N 26th St stated that he is in support. He stated that the improvements in the last 6 months are outstanding and hasn't noticed any loitering in relation to the premises. He stated that there is no evidence that shows that there are any issues at the premises.
Dorice Carter 3150 N 46th St stated that he is head security at the premises, there's no loitering outside of the premises, and he is in support. He stated that he's armed, bonded, and certified through the State of Wisconsin.
John Lee 4396 N 27th St stated that he is in support.
Ald. Zielinski asked Ms. Green if she's noticed any changes since the installation of additional security cameras. He asked the applicant if he has the fight on camera. He asked how many injunctions they have so far. He stated that the applicant pursuing restraining orders against those causing problems shows an improvement initiative.
Ald. Rainey asked Ms. Green if she witnessed the owner outside during the fight and asked if the owner was fighting or trying to break up the fight. He asked the attorney why injunctions were filed for this establishment in particular. He asked Mr. Moore what position he holds in the NAACP.
Ald. Lewis asked that applicant if he's reached out to Ms. Green. She asked the applicant if they report the loitering and suggested monitoring cameras during the early morning hours. She asked Ms. Ferguson if she's witnessed loitering during her months of employment at the premises.
Ald. Coggs asked the applicant if he told Mr. Tony not to show up to the renewal hearing if he didn't take his phone number. She asked if the access to the cameras is 6 months back, were the police given access to the cameras before the last hearing. She asked Mr. Moore if he thinks the neighborhood is better having this establishment sell alcohol. She asked Mr. Bova if there is any level of issues at the establishment. She asked Mr. Carter if he's armed, bonded, and certified. She asked the applicant about his years of ownership, if he was aware of the issues raised by neighbors at the January hearing, and what delayed the response to the issues. She stated that she wonders if there's a sincere commitment to addressing the issues and how will he address the issues with those neighbors in opposition. She stated that the importance is not to gain the appreciation of the neighborhood but to improve the neighborhood.
Ald. Coggs moved to amend the Plan of Operation that the Outreach Coordinator remains intact to work with the community. (Prevailed 4-0)
Ald. Zielinski moved approval of the amended application with a 10 day suspension based on the police report and neighborhood testimony. (Failed 1-3, Ald. Coggs, Rainey, and Lewis voting no)
Ald. Zielinski moved approval of the amended application with a 30 day suspension based on the police report and neighborhood testimony. (Prevailed 3-1, Ald. Rainey voting no)
| Pass | 3:1 |
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