all ages?

I was handed down a copy a couple days ago of a proposed City ordinance, brought forward by Police Licensing Officer Max Hewitt and City Attorney Tim Szamblen, which could be on the Spokane City Council agenda within a couple of weeks. Bob was able to get Council President Joe Shogan to keep it off the agenda for last monday.

The proposed ordinance makes many changes to the cabaret license law, including creating a new term of "all ages clubs" - or some such term - copies went out to the Inlander and to the Empyrean to share with various peeps there. Among the obvious major changes, it would require insurance to be purchased by the cabaret license holder of $1 million naming the City as coinsured, and sets a minimum attendance age limit of 16 years old, requiring identification checks for all people entering. It would also require all license holders to sign a "Good Neighbor Agreement" - much as RAWK did this summer. As you might know, this mechanism gives the Police Licensing Officer more independent discretion, and reduces the process needed to yank a license. "You can't gather here anymore."

Luke Baumgarten intends to call Max Hewitt and Councilman Apple, to inquire about the purposes behind the ordinance. Bob said that an e-mail he received about it referred to the recent closure of (we are guessing) The Cretin Hop due to a liquor law violation (apparently allowing the public to enter a banquet permit event - but I don't know the details). How that translates into these proposed changes is inconceivable.

Bob Apple has asked for a copy of the proposed ordinance as a PDF, so it can be distributed easily, but has yet to receive that.

I have to assume that the Mayor would not support this language - her son (who attended an all ages show at the big dipper for his 11th birthday) would be unable to attend our shows for the next couple years - but time will tell. A veto could be overridden with 5 Council votes, but Bob doesn't think that any Council members asked for this proposal to be developed - it just magically appeared.

i'll keep the blog updated to any changes that come up in the next week, as well as the city council's date for when this issue should be up for discussion.
support the all ages!