MINUTES OF THE BOARD OF LICENSE COMMISSIONERS

OF CECIL COUNTY

The Board of License Commissioners of Cecil County met in a regular session at the County Administrative Building, Conference Room, 200 Chesapeake Boulevard, Elk Room, Elkton, MD on Tuesday, July 29, 2008 at 9:15 A.M.

PRESENT:     

Tim Snelling, Chairman

Herrell 'Cuz' Curry, Commissioners

William Gerweck, Commissioner

H. Norman Wilson, Jr., Esquire

Earl R. Bradford, Chief Alcohol Beverage Inspector

 Robin S. Coyle, Administrative Assistant

New License - Application received from Judith Davis; T/A Trendz, 1183 East Pulaski Highway, Elkton, MD 21921 for issuance of new Class "B" Beer, Wine & Liquor Alcoholic Beverage License.

Judith Davis appeared before the Board; she was sworn by the Clerk.  Mr. Wilson read the public notice which appeared on dates of July 16 and July 22, 2008.  The fully executed application packet with proper fees included: Zoning Certificate signed by J. Craig Trostle, Zoning Administrator for the Town of Elkton, signatures of 10 registered voters and property owners in District 3-1; Alcohol Awareness Training; Certification Form stating the nature of the business is sports themed restaurant and bar; Validation for Sunday Sales; Worker's Compensation.  Mr. Wilson asked if the application was correct today as when the applicant signed it; the applicant stated yes.  Mr. Wilson asked if she is 100% owner of the LLC; Mrs. Davis stated yes.  The Board asked if she could explain the operation of the business; Brian Davis stated they have joined with a car magazine called Street Trends Magazine and combined that with a Buffalo Wild Wings theme with a menu of other sports bars but with a car theme.  The estimated date of opening is between November 1 and December 1.  Mr. Snelling asked if they would be holding events, outdoor events; Brian stated if it is permissible.  Mr. Snelling asked about parking; Brian stated currently there are approximately 85 parking spots and they are going to demo the existing building and add additional parking and make this unit similar to Delancy Village next door.  Mr. Gerweck asked why Brian was not on the license and he stated he doesn't want to be tied down to one place; he wants to develop several other properties as well.  Mrs. Davis stated she looks at this as a family venture.  With no further questions, Mr. Gerweck made a motion to approve the issuance of the license conditioned upon issuance of the Occupancy Permit and submitting a copy of the site plan; Mr. Curry seconded that motion and the Board then voted unanimously to approve the issuance of the license with the stated conditions.  Ms. Coyle stated they would need to request an extension as they plan to be open in November; Mr. Gerweck made a motion to approve a 90-day extension past the 60-days allowed; Mr. Curry seconded that motion and the Board then voted unanimously to approve the 90-day extension.

Violation - Anne Ruohonen, President; Denise Methven, Secretary; Ruohonen, Inc., T/A Sunoco A Plus, 355 Telegraph Road, Rising Sun, MD 21911

Anne Ruohonen and Clerk Randy Scott Hall appeared before the Board.  Mr. Wilson stated they would proceed upon statement of fact; Chief Bradford read his report into the record.  Mr. Wilson asked the Board if they had any questions of Chief Bradford; they stated no.  Mr. Wilson then asked Mrs. Ruohonen if she had any questions of Chief Bradford; she stated that she is furious that this has happened and to find out that there are complaints of this happening before infuriates her even more.  She asked the Board for advice on what she should do; the Board asked if she had the program where you need to check the ID and put the birthday into the register; she stated yes.  She stated she will just need to make her employees check everyone's IDs, she sees this as the only solution as she does not want to lose her license and it just infuriates her that she has a blemish on her record.  With no further questions Mr. Snelling stated the Board would make their decision and she would be receiving a certified letter. 

BOARD DECISION: Guilty - $250 fine plus $250 cost of the proceedings

General Business

·                     Approve Minutes

The minutes from the June 24, 2008 meeting were approved.

·                     Specials

Old Business

·                     C&D Canal Inc. appeal        

Mr. Wilson stated the appeal was not overturned and asked the Board how they wished to handle this - the Board stated they wish to appeal the Judge's decision based upon his remark about their decision being based on ethnic reasons.

New Business

Mr. Curry asked if the Board felt that the license fees should be paid at the time of approval - the Board decided the license fees should be paid at the time of approval or within a few days.

September meeting - MSLBA will be held in Ocean City during the September meeting it is requested the September meeting be moved to September 23 - the Elk Room is available that day

With no further business to discuss the meeting was adjourned.

BY:                                                    

Tim Snelling, Chairperson

ATTEST:

Robin S. Coyle, Administrative Assistant