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, June 24, 2008 at 9:00 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 Charles C. Widdoes, President; Elk Lanes Inc., T/A Elk Lanes Inc., 406 Bow Street, Elkton, MD 21921 for issuance of new Class "B" Beer, Wine & Liquor Alcoholic Beverage License

Did not show - will need to submit the $400 application fee.

Update - Not Issued - Class "B" BWL Alcoholic Beverage License No. B-112 - Natalie A. Horton, T/A Gumbo's Ragin' Cajun, 26 South Main Street, Port Deposit, MD 21904

Natalie Horton appeared before the Board to update on the progress of her establishment.  She stated she is almost ready for the inspections but is nervous that she may run out of time if anything needs to be corrected.  She still needs to have the hood installed and there are some items in the bathrooms that need to be installed by the HVAC guys.  She stated she really would rather not have to just open the bar because you only get one chance to make a first impression.  Mr. Gerweck asked if there were any applications pending in that area; Ms. Coyle stated no.  Mr. Curry then made a motion to approve a 90 day extension but she would need to be open in some capacity within that 90 days; Mr. Gerweck seconded that motion and the Board then voted unanimously to approve the 90 day extension.  Ms. Horton then asked if for permission to change her trade name to Joe's Grog House; Mr. Gerweck made a motion to approve the change of trade name; Mr. Curry seconded that motion and the Board then voted unanimously to approve the change of trade name to Joe's Grog House.

Update - Not Issued - Class "B" Restaurant Beer, Wine & Liquor License No. B-131 - Niky Kalaitzolglou; 881 E. Pulaski Highway, Elkton, MD 21921

Dan Escherich appeared before the Board; he stated Mrs. Kalaitzolglou is out of the country.  He told the Board they had a prospective tenant and that fell through.  He has spoken to the accountant and the accountant stated they could not file for a sale and use tax number because they do not know who the operating tenant will be; they cannot have the Health Department or the Fire Marshal inspect because they do not know who the operating tenant will be.  Mr. Wilson asked if there was an operating kitchen in the building; Mr. Escherich stated yes; the Board asked why they are not opening with that and stated they were under the assumption that they would be operating a restaurant and Mrs. Kalaitzolglou would be running it.  Mr. Escherich apologized and said that was not their intent to have the Board think they would be operating that way; he asked for a year to be able to get a tenant under contract and to open.  The Board stated they simply could not hold up a license for a year as there is a pending list for this district.  Mr. Gerweck made a motion to approve a 90-day extension, however they must open in some capacity within that 90 days; Mr. Snelling asked when the original 60 days expired, Ms. Coyle stated June 30; Mr. Gerweck amended his motion to approve a 90-day extension from June 30, however they must be open in some capacity prior to the 90 days expiring and there will be no other extensions given; Mr. Curry seconded that motion and the Board then voted unanimously to approve the 90 day extension with the stipulation.

Update - Not Issued - Class "B" Beer, Wine & Liquor License No. B-102 - Lance Grayson Mitchell Rowe, Member; Hook, Line & Sinkers, LLC, T/A Pickled Herring, 10 South Main Street, North East, MD 21901

Lance Rowe and attorney Karl Fockler appeared before the Board; Lance stated he intends to be open by July 3^rd barring any set-backs from the Town of North East.  He stated he just paid the water allocation and are not dealing with the sewer allocation.  Ms. Coyle stated there are licenses available in District 5.  Mr. Fockler requested a 60-day extension; Mr. Gerweck made a motion to approve a 60-day extension; Mr. Curry seconded that motion and the Board then voted unanimously to approve the 60 day extension.

Update - Not Opened - Class "B" Beer, Wine & Liquor Alcoholic Beverage License No. B-81 to Amy Lynn Charles, Owner; Katina Shae Knox, Owner; Slacker's Inc., T/A Slacker's Irish Pub, 989 E. Pulaski Highway, Elkton, MD 21921

Amy Charles and Katina Knox appeared before the Board; Ms. Charles stated she has the Agreement of Sale and they are waiting on the Bulk Transfer Permit to come back from the Comptroller's Office.  Mr. Snelling asked Ms. Coyle how long that usually takes; Ms. Coyle stated it could take as little as two weeks or as long as two months depending on the Comptroller's Office.  Ms. Charles also requested permission to put tables out front; she stated they will be fencing the area and have already received the okay from the Landlord and they have paperwork to submit to the Town of Elkton.  She stated there will be no one will be able to take open containers from the fenced area to the parking lot nor are they allowed to do that now when they go out to smoke.  The Board stated they would need to get permission from the Town of Elkton before they would discuss this.  Mr. Curry made a motion to approve the 60 day extension to issue the license while they wait for the issuance of the Bulk Transfer Permit; Mr. Gerweck seconded that motion and the Board then voted unanimously to approve the 60 day extension.

Question for Board - Paul Trapani, Boat Warehouse

Paul Trapani appeared before the Board.  He stated they are interested in a license for a floating dock.  He stated he would like to know who has jurisdiction over this sort of license; he has been to the federal government, Maryland State Police, Cecil County Sheriff's Office and they each said they do not have jurisdiction over this.  He stated he has talked to the State Comptroller's Office and they said they do issue a water vessel license, however it is heavily regulated by the Coast Guard and they would not be able to afford to meet their regulations.  He asked if there is a license available from the Cecil County Liquor Board.  Mr. Wilson asked Mr. Trapani to tell them how the Board would have authority to issue a license for a boat; Mr. Trapani stated they don't know, he would like someone to tell him.  Mr. Wilson stated the county simply doesn't have authority to issue such a license.  Mr. Wilson asked if he would be tying the dock up to Harbour North; Mr. Trapani stated no.  Mr. Snelling stated there is no means to regulate a license in the water.  Chief Bradford asked if Mr. Trapani was aware of anything similar to this in the United States; Mr. Trapani stated no.  Mr. Wilson stated they would have to be attached to a parcel of land and under the current law, Cecil County does not have the authority to issue such a license the State of Maryland has that jurisdiction.  Mr. Wilson stated there is a steam boat license; Mr. Trapani stated that is on-premise only and they want off-premise.  Mr. Wilson asked where the floating dock would be located; Mr. Trapani stated not in Cecil County.  Mr. Wilson stated if not in Cecil County the Board has no authority to issue such a license.  It was the consensus of the Board that Cecil County Liquor Board has no jurisdiction over this type of license.

General Business

·                     Approve Minutes

            The minutes from the May 27, 2008 meeting were approved.

·                     Specials

Old Business

·                     Steve Wright - Giant

·                     Mr. Wright has filed an appeal in Annapolis

·                     Canal House

·                     Mr. Wilson has received correspondence from Frank Shaulis

New Business

·                     Main Street Café - Catering

·                     Chief Bradford asked the Board what the intended use of a Catering License is - the Board stated for special events only not to circumvent the need for a license

·                     2009 Legislation

With no further business to discuss the meeting was adjourned at 10:40 AM.

BY:                                                    

Tim Snelling, Chairperson

ATTEST:

Robin S. Coyle, Administrative Assistant