City of Milwaukee - File #: 141788

• File #: 141788
• Version: 1
• Type: Motion
• Status: Passed
• File created: 3/3/2015
• In control: COMMON COUNCIL
• Final action: 3/31/2015
• Title: Substitute motion denying the Class "B" Tavern, Public Entertainment Premises, and Food Dealer license applications of Tamara Bentley for the premises at 4923 W Villard Ave doing business as "The New Villard Inn" in the 1st aldermanic district.
• Sponsors: THE CHAIR
• Indexes: ALCOHOL - REGULATION AND LICENSING, FOOD DEALERS, LICENSES, TAVERNS

Date	Ver.	Action By	Action	Result	Tally
3/31/2015	1	COMMON COUNCIL	APPROVED	Pass	15:0
3/17/2015	0	LICENSES COMMITTEE	AMENDED; Minutes note: The applicant states that she has worked as a bartender and cook at the establishment since November 2013. She does not have prior management experience. She intends to keep the same staff and bartenders, but will add a new cook and more security. She and Mr. Henderson will buy the alcohol for the estabglishment. She was unaware that the establishment had a 30+ age policy, but intends to have a 23+ age restriction. She has not observed any of the shootings and was working in the kitchen the night that underage individuals were on the premises. She states Theresa Tucker currently owns the building and she would continue to rent from Ms. Tucker. She will employ additional staff, purchase an ID scanner, add more security, and have a cleanup crew. Ald. Coggs moved to amend the application to add a 23+ age restriction. (Prevailed 5-0) Appearing with the applicant: Byron Henderson - He has done management work around the bar for 4-5 years and will manage the new establishment. He has management experience in other states. He was working security during many of the incidents listed on the police report. When a woman was shot on December 5, 2014, he was aware that shots were fired, but unaware that anyone had been struck. The victim drove herself to the hospital and most of the staff had left the premises by the time that the police officers arrived. Individuals appearing: Assistant City Attorney Nick Desiato Officer Lisa Saffold - She states she has been the Community Liaison Officer in the area for 5 years. There were no problems at the establishment for the first three to four years, but there have been several violent crimes in the last year and a half. O fficer Bryan Larock - He responded to the responded to the shooting on December 5. The victim had driven herself to hospital, so the Police Department responded to the hospital first and then went to the establishment. Shells were recovered in the church parking lot next door. Individuals appearing in opposition: Darren Watty - 4726 W Villard Ave - Within the last year there has been an increase in younger crowds in the area. There has been a lot of litter and he is concerned about further damage from the establishment. Kera Williams - 4726 W Villard Ave - Her niece was shot in December. She had to drive herself to the hospital and no one in the establishment helped. Her 14 year old daughter was walking a dog when the outdoor shooting occurred. Litter from the establishment has been a problem. Laquanda Johnson - 4825 W Villard Ave - Noise and police sirens have been waking up her children. There is also litter in her yard from the establishment. Henry Davis - He is the block watch captain and has lived in the area for 32 years. He has not experienced issues with the establishment until recently. There has been litter and noise. Jeanette Carson Davis - There have been changes in the establishment over the years. It was previously a quieter establishment with an older patronage. Now there is noise and there have been shots fired. She is especially concerned with violence because of the amount of children who live in the area. Mercedes Blackman - She lives across the street from the establishment. She has lived there for four years. The establishment used to have an older, quiet crowd, but lately there have been problems with noise and litter. Individuals appearing in support: James Howell - 4923 W Villard Ave - He believes the new applicant will be able to prevent some of the issues mentioned by previous speakers. Ricky Ferguson - 1322 Milwaukee Ave - He has patronized the establishment frequently. He states the problems are not unique to the establishment, but increased security will help prevent further issues. Terrance Houser - 3424 W Ripton - Incidents happen everywhere. He helps at the establishment and thinks the new ownership can improve the situation. Ald. Hamilton - Neighbors are concerned for their personal safety. The operation of the establishment for the last year has changed the entire dynamics of the neighborhood. Neighbors do not want a vacant building, but want a well-run business. Because a plan to resolve issues has not been presented, he is not in support. Ald. Puente moved denial for neighborhood testimony, police testimony, police evidence, and aldermanic testimony.	Pass	5:0
3/17/2015	1	LICENSES COMMITTEE	RECOMMENDED FOR APPROVAL	Pass	5:0
3/3/2015	0	COMMON COUNCIL	ASSIGNED TO

Number

141788

Version

SUBSTITUTE 1

Reference

Sponsor

THE CHAIR

Title

Substitute motion denying the Class "B" Tavern, Public Entertainment Premises, and Food Dealer license applications of Tamara Bentley for the premises at 4923 W Villard Ave doing business as "The New Villard Inn" in the 1st aldermanic district.

Analysis

This motion denies the Class "B" Tavern, Public Entertainment Premises, and Food Dealer license applications of Tamara Bentley for the premises at 4923 W Villard Ave doing business as "The New Villard Inn" in the 1st aldermanic district.

Body

Whereas, The licensing committee considered this matter on March 17, 2015;

Whereas, After consideration of neighborhood testimony, police testimony, police evidence and concerns expressed by the local alderperson; now, therefore, be it

Resolved, By the Common Council of the City of Milwaukee, that the applications for a Class "B" Tavern, Public Entertainment Premises, and Food Dealer license applications of Tamara Bentley for the premises at 4923 W Villard Ave doing business as "The New Villard Inn" in the 1st aldermanic district be denied.

Requestor

Drafter

CC-CC

Jessica Celella

3/9/15