CITY OF VANCOUVER
VANCOUVER LIQUOR LICENSING COMMISSION
May 4, 1995
A Regular Meeting of the Vancouver Liquor Licensing
Commission was held on Thursday, May 4, 1995, at approximately
7:40 p.m. in Committee Room No. 2, third floor, City Hall.
PRESENT: Councillor Kennedy, Chair
Councillor Hemer
Councillor Kwan
ABSENT: Councillor Ip (Illness)
CLERK: Jean Sharpe
Power to Act
On January 11, 1994, Council by the required majority,
granted the Commission Power to Act on all unanimous decisions.
The decisions of the Commission contained herein are unanimous
and, therefore, stand approved.
Adoption of Minutes
The Minutes of the Vancouver Liquor Licensing Commission
meeting of April 13, 1995, were adopted as circulated.
1. Requested Update on Licensed Premises File: 2610-2
within the Downtown Eastside to
March 31, 1995
The Commission had before it an Administrative Report dated
April 24, 1995 (on file), in which the Chief Constable provided
an overview of problems and issues, status of enforcement and
other activities pertaining to licensed premises within the
Downtown Eastside from January, 1994 to March 31, 1995.
Staff Sgt. Wayne Wilton, Vancouver Police Department,
advised that at the request of the Commission, the observations
reported were from January, 1994. It was agreed that the
problems and issues of the Downtown Eastside since the beginning
of 1992, would
cont'd....
Clause No. 1 (cont'd)
be reported annually. Staff Sgt. Wilton reviewed the report
noting there have been no suspensions to date in 1995. Several
premises, however, have been getting special attention from the
Police Department, including Senorita Frogs, where residents have
called with a number of complaints. Discussions on resolving
residents' concerns are currently underway.
The following motion by Councillor Hemer was put and
CARRIED. Therefore, the Commission
RESOLVED
THAT the Administrative Report dated April 24, 1995, on the
Requested Update on Licensed Premises within the Downtown
Eastside, to March 31, 1995, be received for information.
2. Special Occasion Liquor Licenses File: 2610-2
Staff Sgt. Murray Day, Operations Auxiliary Section,
Vancouver Police Department, provided a verbal report on the
procedures and problems in connection with Special Occasion
Liquor Licenses (SOLs). These licenses, issued by the LC&LB, are
for three types of events:
(a) Private Group Function - issued to bona fide
organizations;
(b) Public Function - such as Sea Festival; 6 licenses
issued per community per year;
(c) Private Family Function - weddings, birthdays, etc.
The SOLs came under scrutiny because of wide-scale abuse and
problems with over-charging of liquor at "rave" parties. The
cost of selling alcohol is set by the Province. A process was
initiated in 1994 with the approval and co-operation of the LC&LB
and the LDB, whereby a 7-day advance purchase was imposed, with
each application monitored by the Police Department. With the
aid of a database and working through Permits & Licenses, every
premise will be more easily monitored. It already has brought to
light a number of unlicensed restaurants that operated with a
SOL.
cont'd....
Clause No. 2 (cont'd)
In conclusion, Staff Sgt. Day advised, because of the new
procedures, there may be an increase in applications for other
classes of liquor licenses submitted to the Commission.
In discussion, the Commission was advised that persons to
whom SOLs are issued may be required to take a Responsible
Beverage Service "Serving it Right" training course.
The following motion by Councillor Hemer was put and
CARRIED. Therefore, it was
RESOLVED
THAT the verbal report on Special Occasion Licenses be
received for information.
3. "J" Class Liquor License - Winery Lounge File: 2618
Mr. Paul Teichroeb, Assistant Director, Permits &
Licenses, referred to the LC&LB Operational Bulletin (on file)
advising of a new class "J" liquor license for a winery lounge.
He felt it was a possibility the Commission would receive
applications for this type of facility in the future.
Mr. Teichroeb also advised of problems with providing liquor
licenses for the Ford Theatre, GM Place and Canada Place, which
do not fit into the current categories. It was likely there
would be other new classes available in the future to respond to
these applications, as the LC&LB have submitted new regulations
for approval to the Ministry.
* * *
The meeting adjourned at approximately 8:30 p.m.