43
Youngstown council postpones a vote on opposing a liquor permit renewal for South Side bar
YOUNGSTOWN
City council decided not to vote on a proposal to object to the renewal of a liquor permit for a South Side bar.
Council postponed a Wednesday vote until perhaps its next meeting Dec. 17.
Council members want the owners of Crickets Bar & Grill at 1733 E. Midlothian Blvd. to meet with neighbors who Councilman John R. Swierz, D-7th, said complained to him about noise coming from the business.
Crickets owners and patrons say the bar follows the law on noise. When asked at Wednesday’s meeting, Police Chief Robin Lees said the business has never been cited for noise.
“In my experience, if you send something down to Columbus [objecting to renewing a liquor license] without any citations, they’re going to send it right back to you,” said Council President Charles Sammarone. “I don’t want to see council embarrassed in Columbus.”
Council can object to the renewal of liquor permits, but that decision rests solely with the Ohio Department of Commerce’s Division of Liquor Control.
Among the 150 people in the audience at the meeting were numerous bar patrons. The owners bused supporters to the session.
Councilman Mike Ray, D-4th, suggested a mediation between Crickets owners and residents overseen by the law department. Councilman Paul Drennen, D-5th, said this was not “an extreme case” that merited an objection from city council.
Swierz, however, resisted, saying he’s received complaints about noise from about 16 residents who live near Crickets.
“It’s my job to work with my constituents,” Swierz said. “Hopefully we can resolve this issue. I’m not out to get anybody.”
Don Holovatick, who owns Crickets with his family, said, “We’ll work this out.”
The business plans to enclose the area where live bands play, he said. But Holovatick said there isn’t a noise problem at his business, and the complaints from neighbors amount to harassment.
Council approved two other resolutions opposing the renewal of liquor permits at two other South Side locations: Breaden Market at 1026 Overland Ave., and Club Amazing at 21 W. Hylda Ave.
In another ongoing matter, council heard from David Cook, president of the city’s firefighters union, in opposition to a plan from Mayor John A. McNally to take a firetruck off the road, effective Jan. 17, and not replace eight firefighters leaving shortly through retirement. It’s a key component to the mayor’s plan to save the city $1 million annually.
Cook urged council to delay the decision and look for alternatives. He also suggested the city have an audit to determine ways to save money.
McNally said, however, the reduction is his decision to make, and he’s not going to change his mind.
Several firefighters were at the meeting to support Cook.
Council also voted to raise sewer rates by 17 percent over the next four years, starting Jan. 1, and authorized the board of control to spend $146 million over the next 20 years to improve its wastewater system.
The plan came after lengthy negotiations with the federal Environmental Protection Agency, said Law Director Martin Hume. The state and federal EPAs are expected to approve the $146 million plan shortly, he said.
The improvements are $36 million in upgrades to the city’s wastewater treatment plant; $62 million for a new wet-weather facility near the plant to better control sewage in heavier rainfalls; and a $48 million interceptor to keep wastewater from flowing into Mill Creek MetroParks.