REPORT TO COUNCIL
VANCOUVER LIQUOR LICENSING COMMISSION
November 9, 1995
A Regular Meeting of the Vancouver Liquor Licensing Commission was
held on Thursday, November 9, 1995 at approximately 7:30 p.m. in
Committee Room No. 2, third floor, City Hall.
PRESENT: Councillor Kennedy, Chair
Councillor Hemer
Councillor Ip
Councillor Kwan
ALSO PRESENT: Insp. Gary Greer, Vancouver Police Department
Maria Kinsella, City Clerk
Cst. Russ Foster, Vancouver Police Department
Paul Teichroeb, Deputy Chief License Inspector
CLERK: Steve Kautz
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.
RECOMMENDATION
1. 99 Powell Street, Senorita Frogs File: 2613-9
(also known as Club NRG)
For the Commission's consideration was an Administrative Report
dated November 3, 1995 (on file), in which the Chief License
Inspector, in consultation with the City Clerk, the Director of
Environmental Health and the Chief Constable, provided a history of
the concerns and problems associated with the management and
operation of Senorita Frog's Cabaret, 99 Powell Street. The report
also provided information on the ongoing staff efforts to respond
to the complaints and reviewed the Cabaret's ongoing poor
management. The report noted that since the current owners started
operation of the Cabaret in mid-1994, problems have persisted, as
have ongoing complaints from neighbours both in the same building
as the Cabaret and from the surrounding neighbourhood. The report
recommended that the Commission request City Council to hold a Show
Cause Hearing regarding the business license for the Cabaret.
cont'd....
Clause No. 1 (cont'd)
Mr. Paul Teichroeb, Deputy Chief License Inspector, reviewed the
history and status of the Cabaret and the ongoing complaints
associated with it, concluding that no real improvements have been
noted throughout the period of the current ownership's operation of
the premise and that serious problems of noise, overcrowding, lack
of patron control and street disturbances continue.
The Chair informed the Commission the Cabaret at 99 Powell Street
has now formerly changed its name through the Liquor Control and
Licensing Branch to Club NRG. Furthermore, the Cabaret is now in
the process of being sold. Should the sale proceed, the Show Cause
Hearing will be negated. Mr. Teichroeb confirmed he also had
information that the Club may be sold. Staff will monitor this
situation as it unfolds. Mrs. Maria Kinsella, City Clerk, advised
the Commission that it is staff's position the recommendation
before the Commission could be approved and staff would take
appropriate action depending on any subsequent transfer of the
Cabaret's license.
Mr Rick Erdman, H.O.S.T. Consulting, appeared on behalf of the
owners and confirmed the owners intend to complete the sale of the
license by December 1, 1995. In the interim, the prospective
owners have taken over the management functions of the Cabaret.
Several individuals present at the meeting identified themselves as
part of the prospective ownership group. They indicated some
background in cabaret and nightclub management and advised of their
plans to move the focus of the Cabaret toward a new atmosphere and
clientele, including some charity functions. They advised they
were not aware of the history of problems associated with the
Cabaret and would be interested in pursuing soundproofing,
neighbourhood meetings and other remedial measures.
Commission members advised the prospective owners of Council's
awareness of the problems associated with the Cabaret and its
intention to ensure corrective action is taken, including the
suspension or revocation of the business license if necessary.
Commission members cautioned the prospective owners as to Council's
and the neighbourhood's intolerance of any continuation of the
problems currently associated with the Cabaret.
A Commission member asked staff whether the City could undertake to
have the new owners agree to operational guidelines as a condition
of the Business License and asked staff whether there would be a
report back on this topic. In response, Mr. Teichroeb
cont'd....
Clause No. 1 (cont'd)
advised that the power to transfer and issue liquor licenses resides
with the Liquor Control and Licensing Branch. Once a liquor license is
issued, the City cannot withhold a business license, except on very
narrow grounds, such as for a criminal record or other gross misconduct.
Therefore, the Commission
RECOMMENDS
THAT Vancouver City Council hold a Show Cause Hearing regarding the
business license to operate a Cabaret at 99 Powell Street.
* * *
The meeting adjourned at approximately 8:45 p.m.