Players Bar Liquor License ApplicationTO: The Honorable Mayor and City Council Members
FROM: Michael C. Van Milligen, City Manager
SUBJECT: Liquor License Application for the following:
Players Bar and Grill, 1902 Central Avenue
DATE: February 13, 2008
Chief of Police Kim Wadding is recommending the continuation of the current six-month
liquor license for Players Bar and Grill by noting the new liquor license application is
timely filed with the City Clerk's office allowing the current license to continue past the
expiration date of March 5, 2008. The purpose would be to continue to meet with
owners of Player's Bar and Grill for the purpose of reducing the number of disturbances
and arrests allowing fora 60-day review to be done on May 5, 2008.
On August 20, 2007, the City Council approved asix-month liquor license for Players
Bar and Grill, 1902 Central Avenue. The six-month license replaced an annual license
due to ongoing concerns. From April 5, 2006 to May 7, 2007, Players experienced 204
calls for service, averaging 14.5 calls for service per month. Players experienced 74
disturbances, 15 Crimes against Persons, 11 Crimes against Property, and 7 Public
Moral violations.
In response to the concerns, the police department has been meeting regularly with
owners, Dave and Rhonda Lorenz, to discuss and implement a number of strategies to
combat the high impact of calls for service.
In reviewing the six-month renewal period (August 14, 2007 to January 27, 2008), there
have been 56 calls for service. Of those, 26 were reported as disturbances, two crimes
against persons, two crime against property, and 10 public moral violations.
Of the 26 disturbances, 15 were founded with seven called to the attention of the police
by bar staff. Thirty-four persons were charged with 61 individual violations (35 alcohol
related violations, 11 disorderly conducts, six Interference with Official Acts, five drug
related violations, a burglary, trespass, assault, and an indecent exposure). No alcohol
violations were found against the business.
Although the Police Department has seen a reduction in the calls for service based
upon the previous 12-month period, concern still remains. Chief of Police Kim Wadding
believes the owners are committed to an active role in the reduction of the high impact
calls for service as shown through their willingness to implement and maintain reduction
strategies.
I concur with the recommendation and respectfully request Mayor and City Council
approval.
~~~
Michael C. Van Milligen
MCVM/jh
Attachment
cc: Barry Lindahl, City Attorney
Cindy Steinhauser, Assistant City Manager
Kim B. Wadding, Chief of Police
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Masterpiece on the Mississippi
MEMORANDUM
DATE: February 12, 2008
TO: Michael C. Van Milligen
City Manager
FROM: Kim Wadding ~ ~
Police Chief
RE: Liquor License Application for the following:
Players Bar and Grill, 1902 Central Avenue
INTRODUCTION
The purpose of this memorandum is to recommend the continuation of the current six-
month liquor license for Players Bar and Grill by noting the new liquor license
application is timely filed with the City Clerk's office. The purpose would be to continue
to meet with owners of Player's Bar and Grill for the purpose of reducing the number of
disturbances and arrests.
BACKGROUND
On August 20th, 2007, the City Council approved asix-month liquor license for Players
Bar and Grill, 1902 Central Avenue. The six-month license replaced an annual license
due to ongoing concerns. From April 5, 2006 to May 7, 2007 Players experienced 204
calls for service, averaging 14.5 calls for service per month. Of the initial 204 calls for
service, with particular attention to high impact calls (calls requiring more than one
officer) Players experienced 74 disturbances, 15 Crimes against Persons, 11 Crimes
against Property, and seven Public Moral violations.
Disturbances, Crimes against Persons, Crimes against Property, and Public Morals are
defined by the following description.
Disturbances Includes physical fighting, verbal arguments, loud music and/or subjects
and all other disorder) behavior not alread listed
Crimes A ainst Persons Includes Assault and Harassment
Crimes A ainst Pro ert Includes Bur lac ,Criminal Mischief and Theft
Public Morals Includes Public Intoxication and Possession of Controlled Substances
DISCUSSION
In response to the concerns, the police department has been meeting regularly with
owners, Dave and Rhonda Lorenz, to discuss and implement a number of strategies to
combat the high impact of calls for service. Those strategies have included:
• Regular meetings with the Police Department.
• The sending of NO TRESPASS letters to subjects involved in any disturbances,
to prevent them from returning.
• Limit the number of people in the bar from the current occupancy limit of 135 to
80-90 persons.
• Implementation of a cover charge on Thursday nights starting at midnight, as
Players reported a large influx of unruly subjects during this period.
• An attempt to upgrade the video surveillance equipment in the bar in an attempt
to identify offenders.
During the meetings with Players other initiatives have been discussed and
implemented to include:
• Maintain bouncers Thursday, Friday and Saturday nights.
• Check identification on all subjects who enter the business.
• Provide T.I.P.S. training to all bar staff.
Of these strategies, only the upgrade of the video surveillance has not been
implemented due to cost and not all employees have been T.I.P.S. trained. In reviewing
the six-month renewal period (August 14, 2007 to January 27, 2008), we find there have
been 56 calls for service. Of those, 26 were reported as disturbances, two crimes
against persons, two crime against property, and 10 public moral violations.
Of the 26 disturbances, 15 were founded with seven called to the attention of the police
by bar staff. Thirty-four persons were charged with 61 individual violations (35 alcohol
related violations, 11 disorderly conducts, six Interference with Official Acts, five drug
related violations, a burglary, trespass, assault, and an indecent exposure). No alcohol
violations were found against the business. A summary of the four key areas of
disturbances, crimes against persons, crimes against property, and public moral
violations contain the following:
DPD Case # T e of Incident/Circumstances Dis osition
Disturbance -Subjects refusing to leave escorted out Report Filed
07-36095 b bar staff. Subjects fled from olice.
Disturbance -Disturbance in front of bar. Public Intoxication
07-36101
Disturbance -Subject refusing to leave physically Public Intoxication Arrest
07-36228 removed b bar staff and atrons.
Disturbance -Large physical fight in the bar which Public Intoxication (2),
07-36249 spilled out into the street. Disorderly Conduct (2),
Interference W/Official Acts
Disturbance -Subject causing a disturbance in the bar Public Intoxication
07-37047 refusing to leave after being told to do so by staff. Disorderly Conduct
Subject resisted arrest and was found to be in Interference W/Official Acts
possession of marijuana. Possession Of A Controlled
Substance
07-38607 Disturbance -Disturbance outside of bar. Public Intoxication
07-38635 Disturbance -Unknown circumstances Handled B Officer
07-39613 Disturbance - Subjects ushin outside the bar. Public Intoxication 2
Public Morals -Subject was arrested for OWI in front Operating While Intoxicated
07-39639 of Pla ers after leavin the bar.
Public Morals -Intoxicated subject arrested in parking Public Intoxication
07-40952 lot after he was observed tr in to et into his vehicle.
07-42220 Disturbance -Verbal disturbance in arkin lot. Handled B Officer
07-42450 Theft -Theft of hone Mail Out
Disturbance -Patrons ejected from the bar fighting Public Intoxication (3)
07-43395 outside. Unlawful Possession of
Medication
07-43411 Disturbance - Sub'ects ar uin when leavin the bar. Handled B Dis atcher
07-43420 Public Morals -Two intoxicated subjects arrested in Public Intoxication (2)
arkin lot.
07-44222 Public Morals -Subject urinating outside the bar ran in Public Intoxication
the bar and was arrested. Indecent Ex osure
07-44590 Public Morals -Subject arrested for warrant in bar Possession Of A Controlled
found to be in ossession of mari'uana. Substance
07-44600 Public Morals -Subject observed in bar earlier in the Public Intoxication
ni ht arrested for Public Intoxication at bar closin time.
07-45317 Disturbance -Verbal disturbance inside bar. Public Intoxication
One Under 21 After 9 P.M.
07-45496 Disturbance -Unknown circumstances Re ort Filed
07-46720 Public Morals -Tavern inspection with Department of Four Public Intoxication,
Corrections. Harassment Of Public Official
07-46888 Disturbance -Disturbance on 19 St. side of bar. Handled B Officer
Assault -Subject assaulted in bar causing injury Offense Report
07-47956 Prosecution declined b Count Attorne
Disturbance -Physical fight in bar that spilled out front Public Intoxication
07-47967 door. Disorderl Conduct
Public Morals -Intoxicated underage subject found in Public Intoxication
07-47968 bar. Under 21 After 9 P.M.
Assault -Subject assaulted inside the bar causing Public Intoxication
07-48951 injury. Disorderly Conduct,
Assault Causin In'ur .
Disturbance -Disturbance in bar. Public Intoxication
07-49120 Disorderly Conduct
Interference W/Official Acts.
07-50199 Disturbance -Unknown circumstances Incident Re ort
Disturbance -Verbal disturbance inside the bar. Incident Report
07-52991
07-55260 Disturbance -Unknown circumstances Handled B Officer
07-57140 Disturbance -Unfounded Handled B Officer
07-57143 Disturbance -Possible Disturbance in arkin lot. Handled B Officer
Disturbance -Bar staff trying to remove patron. Public Intoxication
07-57766 Disorderly Conduct
Trespass
Interference With Official Acts.
07-57772 Disturbance -Disturbance reported by the bar staff. Public Intoxication
Disorderl Conduct
08-019 Disturbance -Unknown circumstances Handled B Officer
08-647 Disturbance -Disturbance outside bar. Disorderl Conduct
Public Morals -Intoxicated subject arrested in bar Public Intoxication
08-1512 found to be in ossession of mari'uana. Possession Of Mari'uana
Disturbance- One underage subject arrested after Disorderly Conduct,
08-3535 exitin the bar causin a disturbance. Under 21 in Bar After 9 .m.
Crime Against Property- Subject was observed Burglary 3
08-3820 entering an unoccupied vehicle in the parking lot and Unlawful Possession of
stealing a car stereo. Subject also found to be in Medication
possession of prescription medications without a
rescri tion.
Public Morals- Officers conducting a tavern inspection Public Intoxication
08-4768 located one intoxicated underage subject in the bar Under 21 in Bar After 9 p.m.
after 9 m. Alcohol Under Le al A e
Although we have seen a reduction in the calls for service based upon the previous 12
month period, concern still remains. We believe the owners are committed to an active
role in the reduction of the high impact calls for service as shown through their
willingness to implement and maintain the listed reduction strategies.
In response to further reducing the high impact calls and the continuation of a positive
working relationship with the owners, we recommend city council consideration to
regard the current license application as timely filed allowing the current license to
continue past the expiration date of March 5, 2008. This allows additional review time
to reduce the number of high impact calls for service through the implementation of
current and further remedies. Once a consistent reduction is seen, a recommendation
for an annual liquor license could occur.
In consideration of this recommendation, contact was made with Judy Seib, Special
Projects Coordinator with the Iowa Alcohol Beverages Division, and City Attorney Barry
Lindahl and both concur this approach would meet the necessary requirements and
allow the business to continue to operate as the review period continues.
RECOMMENDATION
We recommend City Council consideration to regard Players Bar and Grill liquor license
application as timely filed allowing the current license to continue past the expiration
date of March 5, 2008. Allowing fora 60-day review period, the next formal review to
show a consistent reduction in high impact calls occurs May 5, 2008.
ACTION REQUESTED
Action requested is for City Council consideration to regard Players Bar and Grill liquor
license application as timely filed allowing the current license to continue past the
expiration date of March 5, 2008. Allowing fora 60-day review period, the next formal
review to show a consistent reduction in high impact calls occurs May 5, 2008.
Cc: Barry Lindahl, City Attorney
Cindy Steinhauser, Assistant City Manager
Jeanne Schneider, City Clerk
TI-iE CITY OF ' J..
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Masterpiece on the Mississippi
DATE: February 13, 2008
MEMORANDUM
TO: Michael C. Van Milligen
City Manager
FROM: Kim Wadding
Police Chief
RE: Players, Letter from attorney, Todd Klapataukskas
Attached is a letter regarding Players from Todd Klapataukskas who is representing
Dave and Rhonda Lorenz. The letter outlines a meeting we had with Todd
Klapataukaskas, his associate, Natalia Blaskovich and Rhonda Lorenz January 29,
2008 and the corrective steps Players agreed to and implemented to reduce the high
impact calls.
I clarified with Todd Klapataukskas that a recommendation for a twelve month license
would not occur until an additional review of the calls for service would be completed in
60 days showing a positive outcome. Todd was told my current recommendation is for
City Council consideration to regard the Player's liquor license application as timely
filed, allowing Players to continue to operate under its current liquor license. Todd said
he would be contacting Dave and Rhonda Lorenz telling him of the recommendation.
LAW OFFICES OF
REYNOLDS & KENLINE, L.L.P.
WILLIAM J. MAIERS
CHADWYN D. COX*
MARK J. SULLNAN
JOHN T. NEMMERS
TODD N. KLAPATAUSKAS**
KIM C. RODDICK**
NICHOLAS J. KLENSKE**
NATALIA H. BLASKOVICH
'ALSO LICENSED IN MINNESOTA
''ALSO LICENSED IN ILLINOIS
February 13, 2008
Kim Wadding
Police Chief
Dubuque Police Department
770 Iowa Street
Dubuque, Iowa 52001
RE: Player's Bar and Grill
Dear Chief Wadding:
909 MAIN STREET
SUITE 222 FISCHER BUILDING
P.O. BOX 239
DUBUQUE, IOWA 52004-0239
TELEPHONE: (563) 556-8000
FAX: (563) 556-8009
E-Mail: office~rkenline.com
We represent David and Rhonda Lorenz, owners of Players Bar and Grill. Following our
meeting with you on Tuesday January 29`'' we want to confirm our discussions regarding the
Lorenz's application for atwelve-month liquor license to the City Council.
As you confirmed at the meeting, for the last nine months, Mr. and Mrs. Lorenz have
been very cooperative with the Dubuque Police Department. They have worked to maintain a
safe environment in their establishment and in the community:
• They met with you and members of your department to discuss ideas to
reduce patrons' criminal activity identified by your department.
• They installed additional lighting to their establishment.
• They maintained nightly bouncers.
• They added additional help on their busy nights from Thursday through
Saturday.
• They have limited crowd capacities below the fire marshall's approved
capacity of 135 patrons when necessary.
LAW OFFICES OF
REYNOLDS & KENLINE, L.L.P.
They check every single patron's identification to make sure each person is of
legal age prior to entering the building.
David, Rhonda and their son Cory have attended the TIPS training and will
encourage the rest of their family members who work at the bar and
additional staff to attend the training.
Our clients intend to continue to comply with these practices and will especially
continue to diligently comply with state and local laws. As you know, David and Rhonda Lorenz
have not had a citation for serving alcohol to minors within the last year, have never had a dram
shop claim, nor any complaint made to their insurer and have always cooperated with law
enforcement.
As we mentioned during the meeting, we have significant concerns that imposing a dress
code, censoring the type of music played at the bar and imposing a cover charge would be
interpreted as being discriminatory. Attached are the two articles we brought to the last meeting
addressing concerns lawmakers have raised over similar policies used by Des Moines area bars.
A bill is currently working its way through the legislature that would prosecute businesses that
bar prospective patrons based on their attire.
We were happy to hear that you plan on recommending that the Council grant David and
Rhonda's application for atwelve-month license this month. As you know, they have worked
very hard to maintain a peaceful environment within their family-run business. They will
continue to diligently follow their legal obligations. They will continue to be open to suggestions
on how to make things run as smoothly as possible. They will work towards keeping a strong
relationship between their business, your department and the community.
We thank you for your cooperation in this matter and look forward to working with your
department in the future.
Sincerely,
Todd Klapatatts~cas
n !1 ~ )
i Natalia Blaskovich