10-25-1999 Council Minutes - Laserfiche WebLink

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ORONO CITY COUNCIL MEETING MINUTES FOR OCTOBER 25, 1999 • James Anderst and his application for transfer of liquor license held by Jimmies Lounge. The City Council needs to make a determination whether the transfer of the license should be approved. Sansevere commented that in his view there appear to be some inconsistencies in the memorandum issued by the Police Chief. Moorse stated that the violations do not constitute a basis for denial under the Statutes, but that these violations do raise some concerns that should be looked into. Mayor Jabbour commented his understanding of the memorandum is that the Police Chief is not able to give a good recommendation to transfer the license. Anderst indicated that he was willing to discuss the allegations contained in the police report. Mayor Jabbour inquired what the City Council is permitted to discuss regarding this application. Tom Barrett, City Attorney, stated that the question whether to deny would probably be covered under 34A, 402.3 of the Statutes, which states that you are not required to grant a license to a person not of good moral character. Barrett commented that the Applicant has given the members of the City Council permission to discuss this incident. Mayor Jabbour inquired of the Applicant whether he was giving the City Council permission to ask him any questions regarding this incident with the understanding that this information will become part of a public record. Anderst stated that he is willing to discuss this incident Sansevere stated he has some concerns about the transfer of the license given the Applicant's past criminal history. Anderst stated that the incident referred to in the police report occurred in 1994, noting that the case was dropped twice by the prosecuting attorney before he finally entered into a plea agreement on the third occasion. Anderst stated that he finally pleaded guilty to the charge due to a lack of money available to contest the allegations any further and because he wished to end the matter. Anderst commented, in hindsight, he would not have entered into the plea agreement and would have maintained his plea of innocent. Anderst stated that he did provide the Police Chief with the names of three character witnesses, who were not contacted. Moorse stated he was unsure why the references were not contacted in relation to this application. Mayor Jabbour commented that he would like the Police Chief to contact the Applicant's references. . Sansevere stated he is in agreement with Jabbour and that the references should be contacted. Page 13