REPORT TO COUNCIL
VANCOUVER LIQUOR LICENSING COMMISSION
June 25, 1997
A regular meeting of the Vancouver Liquor Licensing Commission was
held on Wednesday, June 25, 1997, at 4:10 p.m. in Committee Room No. 2,
third floor, City Hall.
PRESENT: Councillor Lynne Kennedy, Chair
Councillor Don Bellamy
Councillor Alan Herbert
Councillor Daniel Lee
ALSO PRESENT: Paul Teichroeb, Chief License Inspector
Inspector Dave Jones, i/c District 1, Police
Department
CITY MANAGER'S
OFFICE: Judy Rogers, Deputy City Manager
CLERK: Rae T. Wylson
ADOPTION OF MINUTES
The minutes of the Vancouver Liquor Licensing Commission regular
meeting held May 15, 1997 were adopted as circulated.
RECOMMENDATIONS
1. Commodore Cabaret, 870 Granville Street
File No: 2614-6
The Commission had before it a memorandum dated June 17, 1997 (on
file), in which the Chief License Inspector advised of the status of
negotiations for operating and lease agreements for the Commodore
Cabaret and providing a copy of an agreement signed by the building
owner. In addition, the Commission had before it a letter dated June
25, 1997, in which Bert Hick of Hick & Associates advised of his
retention by the applicant to assist with liquor licencing and
operational issues (on file).
Paul Teichroeb, Chief License Inspector, reviewed details of the
signed agreement dealing specifically with ensuring the retention of the
facility in a format similar to its past style of operation. A
condition of the agreement requires potential lessees to meet with the
Vancouver Liquor Licensing Commission to discuss the operation of the
Commodore and how it might contribute to the success of Vancouver's
entertainment district.
In response to questions from the Commission, Mr. Teichroeb
provided the status of the Commodore's existing Class 'B' and Class 'C'
licenses , noting, under agreement with the Province, any substantial
changes to the layout of the facility could impact the licenses.
Paul Vickers, potential Commodore lessee, advised the Commission of
his ownership and involvement in the operation and management of 30
businesses, including several night clubs, in Alberta.
In response to questions from the Commission, Mr. Vickers provided
details concerning the following practices employed in his existing
night club operations:
- management team composition;
- management and employee training program;
- door monitoring and other security practices;
- relationship with Police; and
- marketing initiatives, including drink specials and specialized
entertainment.
During the ensuing question period, Mr. Vickers provided the
following information with respect to the proposed use of the Commodore:
- it will remain in its original structural except for the addition
of 25 ladies washroom stalls;
- a combination of live and recorded music will be utilized, namely
live entertainment weekdays and recorded music on weekends except
in cases where a special event has been scheduled;
- live entertainment will be showcase on broadcast television and
Internet concerts; and
- may be used as a venue for special events including all ages shows
and corporate functions.
In response to a request by Police, Mr. Vickers agreed to sign a
consent form allowing the Vancouver Police to obtain from the Alberta
Police any files concerning Vicker's Alberta businesses.
In response to further questions from the Commission regarding the
proposed entertainment program for the Commodore, Mr. Vickers noted
special ladies nights featuring male burlesque dancers are regularly
scheduled at several of his Alberta night clubs and may be included in
the Commodore's program.
Discussion ensued regarding the difference between "strippers" and
"burlesque dancers". Mr. Vickers clarified and staff confirmed
burlesque dancers are similar to strippers except they do not remove all
clothing and expose themselves only to their briefs.
In response to questions from the Commission, Mr. Teichroeb advised
the agreement with the owners does not prohibit ladies nights or use of
burlesque dancers. Further, the City would have legal difficulties in
including a clause of this nature in the agreement.
In response to a direct question from the Commission regarding his
willingness to exclude male burlesque dancers from intended
entertainment for the Commodore, Mr. Vickers advised he would not
consent but would consider it in consultation with his lawyer.
Shiraz Karmali, Mr. Vicker's business partner, provided the
Commission with information concerning the management of their combined
businesses, noting his role as Finance Manager.
Ellie O'Day, Executive Director of the Pacific Music Industry
Association, and organizer of a rally to keep the Commodore open, noted
closure of the Commodore has resulted in Vancouver having to forgo many
opportunities to host live shows featured in other North American cities
due to lack of an appropriate venue. The industry would welcome the
reopening of the Commodore and the opportunity to host shows at this
venue in future.
A member of the Commission expressed concern with respect to the
proposed entertainment planned for the Commodore specifically the use of
ladies nights and male burlesque dancers, given the non-conformity of
these uses to the Commodore's previous entertainment format and in light
of possible negative impacts on Vancouver's entertainment district.
The following motion by Councillor Bellamy was put and carried, the
Commission therefore
RECOMMENDED
THAT the presentation by Paul Vickers regarding plans for the
Commodore Cabaret at 870 Granville Street, be received for
information.
- CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY
2. Privatizing Liquor: The Case for Privatization
of Liquor in B.C. - A Fraser Institute Conference
File No: 2611
The Commission had before it a conference brochure regarding the
Fraser Insitute's June 25, 1997, conference titled "Privatizing Liquor:
The Case for Privatization of Liquor in B.C." (on file).
The Chair and Councillor Herbert advised of their attendance at the
conference and provided comments concerning the presentations,
specifically regarding the social impacts of privatization.
Reference was made to comments of a presenter at the conference
that implementation of the privatization of liquor should not include
municipal or public consultation nor media involvement.
Although privatization has occurred in Alberta, speakers at the
conference did not anticipate the same would occur in B.C. in the near
future. It was noted the change is not imminent but it is being
investigated by the Province.
Councillors who attended the conference did not sense any urgency
and did not anticipate the need for staff to report back at this time.
The City's concern with Provincial legislation at this time is with
securing the authority to roll back hours.
In response to questions from the Commission regarding Police
concerns, Inspector Dave Jones advised major concerns would be with the
need for increased supervision of additional outlets. As well, Police
are concern with illegal importing of liquor which sees a portion of
sales returned to the country of origin.
The following motion by Councillor Bellamy was put and carried, the
Commission therefore
RECOMMENDED
THAT the presentation by the Chair and Commissioner Herbert
regarding the Fraser Institute's Conference on privatizing
liquor in British Columbia, be received for information.
- CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY
3. Correspondence from the Attorney General
File No: 2611
The Commission was advised of a letter dated June 19, 1997, in
which the Attorney General thanked the Commission for its feedback
concerning Tex Enemark's report on Provincial liquor policy and advising
the Ministry is reviewing the recommendations contained in the report.
The letter also states the report will go to cabinet in the near future
and that the government will consult with stakeholders and other levels
of government prior to implementation.
The following motion by Councillor Bellamy was put and carried, the
Commission therefore
RECOMMENDED
THAT the correspondence dated June 19, 1997 from the Attorney
General regarding recommendations concerning the Province's
liquor licensing polices, be received for information.
- CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY
The Commission adjourned at 5:50 p.m.
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