Meeting Minutes -8/24/23
• Call to Order – Meeting Start – 7:02 PM
• Old Business
o Acceptance of Minutes from 6/8 & 7/20
▪ Motion – Gary
▪ Second – Kevin
▪ 10 – Aye
▪ 0 – Opposed
▪ Motion Carried, Meeting Minutes accepted
o Zoning Overlay updates and changes in progress to be added to the Association Bylaws
o Neighborhood Zoning Appeals
▪ Rook – To expand operating hours for their outdoor sidewalk seating, starting earlier in the day and adding a day
▪ Other variances sought at the following locations
• 5312-18 Ridge Ave
• 5442-44 Ridge AveTrea
o Treasurer’s Report Received from Gary
▪ Accepted into association meeting record
o Park Update
▪ Cleanup days scheduled
▪ City progressing on acquiring titles for the land parcels
• New Business
o n/a
• Loft Lounge Discussion Forum
o Francis Healy got up and started talking without an introduction and was interrupted by the Secretary to clarify his role and context in the discussion.
o The Secretary then stated the parameters on how discussion forum would be handled
▪ Raise your hand, wait to be acknowledged, state your name
▪ 2 minutes per person
▪ 10 minutes of discussion
o External Parties in Attendance
▪ Brian Farrow – LC Enforcement, Nuisance Bar Coordinator with the Liquor Control Board
▪ 5th Precinct Captain PPD – Captain Kimrey
▪ Francis Healy – Special Advisor to the Commissioner
▪ Loft Lounge Proprietor – Ms. Alexander
▪ Tarik Khan – Local State Representative
o Comments from the Community
▪ Benny J – Complaining of car break-ins and the type of people attracted at the establishment
▪ Katy – Works late, coming home from teaching and has concerns about walking home safely
▪ Kelci – Heard gunshots, concerned about disputes solved by shooting
▪ Katie E. – Wanted to know about the disposition of the previous complaints and the off-duty police officer requirement
▪ Dave B – Lives across the street and had friends over, heard the gunshots, and “hit the floor” didn’t know what was happening
▪ Jay – Concerned that complaints were not being taken seriously and being written off as “racist” without being investigated
▪ Ryan – Involved in previous negotiations [WNCA not involved] and concerned about needing to “walk on eggshells”
o Update from Francis Healy & Kimrey [police captain 5th precinct] & later the LC enforcement officer
▪ Were present at the previous mediation with the proprietor of the establishment
▪ Update on the most recent incident
• Security Guard was a last-minute replacement from the security company and acted negligently
• Discharged his weapon into the air
• As of the meeting was detained under arrest pending arraignment
• Owner of the business was relying on the security company to provide qualified individuals to secure the premises
▪ New rules went into effect as voted on by City Council, on July 5, 2023.
• CIty Council: 9-4400
• Establishes a task force for PPD to have direct involvement with resolving issues/complaints with businesses, particularly “nuisance bars”
• Previously a complaint would be filed with L&I and unless there were incidents of a particular severity within a 6 month period, no cease operations action would be taken.
• New rules provide direct involvement by the precinct local to the establishment
• 3 strikes procedure and then L&I involved to issue a Cease Operation
• Upon receiving a strike, the business works with the local precinct to create an action plan, review it with the ppd, once agreed upon, the business is required to take the required action in a timely manner.
• Should there be an incident resulting in bodily injury on the property or other such serious offense, 3 strikes not required for Cease Operation with L&I
• Just because an incident happens after the patrons leave the establishment, it is still the business’ responsibility and they have to recognize this and take steps to prevent altercations outside their establishment, even if they close, after their patrons leave
• The goal with this program is to create responsible business neighbors
▪ LCB – ensures state rules are adhered to by the establishment
o Follow-up Community Questions
▪ Dan – Still Concerned
▪ Other woman – More and various other concerns
▪ Jeff – How do you define a strke?
▪ Other Random person – What is Responsible Business Operations?
▪ Next random person – How long does it take to resolve an incident?
▪ Maria – Complaining about patrons fighting down the street
o Discussion was ended by the Secretary, Rufus at 7:55 (~45 minutes of
discussion/questions/updates)
▪ A summary of the new rules was provided
▪ People were thanked for participating and voicing their concerns and providing their comments, the Captain and the discussion was ended
▪ “Concerned Community Members” got up and left immediately after and did not wait for the final meeting announcements from Jeff
• Motion to Adjourn
o Motion – Kevin
o Second – Rufus
o No Dissent
o Meeting Adjourned – 7:56 PM
