Local Licensing Authority Minutes 2004 06 28

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Louisville Local Licensing Authority Meeting Date: June 28, 2004 Page 3 of 4 Bleau stated the Council would probably be interested in what the Authority thought. She explained the City could choose to opt-in or not opt-in. If a municipality opts in, then they have the ability to just say the tastings can occur according to the state law or they can take each one on a case-by-case basis and come up with an application procedure. Discussion centered on fees that might be charged and how that might affect businesses. Rich Eisenberg, owner of Flatirons Discount Liquors, spoke to the Authority concerning this bill. He commented Louisville has just a few liquor stores and he thought perhaps there should be consideration case-by-case by establishment instead of each tasting. He felt the tastings would be beneficial to his business if handled properly and sees it as an educational process. He also mentioned as a competitive issue, if surrounding municipalities approve it and Louisville does not, it might hurt businesses in Louisville. He pointed out the responsibility lies with the liquor license holder and those license holders have to have a way to control the consumption. He commented charging for each tasting would be difficult for the establishments since the manufacturer cannot give the product to the stores. He felt an annual fee might be more appropriate. Bruce Carmichael, owner of Centennial Wine and Spirits, introduced himself to the Authority. He expressed the opinion that the establishments wanting to do these tastings would be the ones specializing in fine wines. He spoke of the tastings conducted by the Colorado wineries currently regulated by the state. He was asked about the turnout he had when holding those tastings. He had about 20 people. He also spoke of tastings benefiting charities held in restaurants. Mr. Carmichael looks at these as educational opportunities and an opportunity for customers to try a variety of wines without having to buy the bottle. He commented the legislation kept the tasting restrictive enough that they would not resemble a wine festival or the winery tastings yet still give customers a chance to sample. Detective Lanphere was asked if he had any law enforcement issues. He mentioned there had not been any issues stemming from the winery tastings Centennial Wine and Liquor had held in the past. Lipton moved the Authority table this item until the next meeting to find out what other municipalities are doing. Rommelfanger seconded. Roll Call Vote: Paige-yes, Mulvahill-yes, Rommelfanger-yes and Lipton-yes. The motion carried. Attorney Bleau asked if anyone had questions about the other piece of this legislation, which allowed re-corking of wine at restaurants. The Authority seemed to find this part of the bill straight-forward. C. Setting of Public Hearing - 3 Margaritas XVI, Inc. d/b/a 3 Margaritas - 592 S McCaslin - Application for a new Hotel and Restaurant Liquor License 3 G:\UQUOR\2004\MINUTES\MINUTES JUNE 04.DOC