Hello all.  Staff have prepared the notes below for the meeting regarding closing time problems in the Downtown, held September 9^th.  Thank you again for attending and being part of constructive solutions to these ongoing issues.

I have added some notes regarding the status of the action items at the bottom, and look forward to working with all of you to pursue these items.

Could I ask you to forward these notes to those in your organization who attended the meeting.

Liquor Licensing Meeting Notes

Meeting held at 2:00 p.m. on Thursday, September 9, 2010 in the Sir Robert Barrie Room.

Councillor Lehman welcomed the individuals in attendance and provided an overview of the rationale for the meeting.  He outlined that City Council adopted the following motion on Monday, August 30^th:

Liquor Licensing

1.         That a letter be sent to the Alcohol and Gaming Commission of Ontario on behalf of the Council of the City of Barrie to express City Council's concern regarding the impacts of over-serving in licensed Downtown establishments and to request additional enforcement of LLA licence violations in the downtown core.

2.         That staff in the City Clerk's Office investigate alternatives related to the review of future liquor licence applications including the merit of establishing a Liquor Licence Review Committee, similar to that in the City of Kitchener, and report back to General Committee on the implications associated with any proposed change to the processing of liquor licences.

3.         That the Alcohol and Gaming Commission of Ontario (AGCO), Downtown Barrie, Barrie Downtown Neighbourhood Association (BDNA), Barrie Police Service, and Municipal Law Enforcement Section of the Legal Services Department be invited to meet at their earliest convenience as a working group on potential increased enforcement efforts and other measures to improve safety and reduce negative impacts associated with closing time, and report back to General Committee.

Ray Jack of the Alcohol and Gaming Commission of Ontario provided an overview of the Commission’s processes related to liquor licensing and enforcement, including staff resources available in this area.

The attendees asked a number of questions related to the information provided by Mr. Jack.   The group discussed enforcement concerns and the resources available from AGCO and Barrie Police Services to address concerns.

The group discussed noise complaints, the enforcement of noise complaints and monitoring of noise levels.  The revitalization of the downtown and the increase in residential dwelling units proposed as a result of intensification were discussed in relationship to the concerns and challenges related to liquor licensing.  

The following potential solutions were discussed:

·         The availability of transit service at 2 a.m. or 3 a.m.

·         Noise meters

·         Additional resources for AGCO

·         Minimum separation distances for bars

·         Pamphlets for incoming students

·         Designated taxi lane

·         More people living and working in the downtown

·         Hire paid duty officers for dedicated resources

It was suggested that Georgian College be at the table for future discussions.  

The availability of transit service at 2 a.m. or 3 a.m.

ACTION:  I spoke with the Manager of Transit.  This was looked at in detail a few years back.  Discussions surrounded who paid (bars/BIA/City) and where the service would go given the dispersal of students across the east end.  Suggestion at the time was the bars could collaborate on a private shuttle bus.  However I believe it’s worth looking at the potential to run a dedicated route from 10PM - 3AM on Thurs/Fri/Sat, especially if this could be done with   City/BIA to pursue further.

Noise meters

ACTION:  City has a noise meter, purchased recently.  City has already established maximum decibel limits for outdoor events, so there is a precedent for applying these.  I have asked by-law staff to look at what other cities have done successfully with this issue.

Additional resources for AGCO

ACTION:  I have prepared a letter to the Province requesting additional resources to support the good work that Stacy, Ron, and others are doing.  It would be useful if other concerned organizations would do the same, I can circulate the letter if desired.

Minimum separation distances for bars

ACTION:  On Monday night Council will be holding the public meeting regarding the initiative for minimum separation distances between certain uses in the core.  While bars are not on this list, I anticipate there will be discussion of this issue.  We can proceed from there to a motion.

Pamphlets for incoming students

ACTION:  I have contacted Georgian College staff about attending the next meeting and their current efforts with educating incoming students. 

Designated taxi lane

ACTION:  BIA/Councillor to meet this Monday.  Taxi companies need to be involved and onside.

More people living and working in the downtown

ACTION:  This is of course the long-term plan and there are a wide range of efforts underway on this front.

Hire paid duty officers for dedicated resources

ACTION:  BIA/City to meet about this – combined fund for paid duty.