File #: Res 1493-2012    Version: * Name: NYS Liquor Authority to improve public and police access to liquor license information by posting online the Method of Operation stipulations for each and every liquor license issued by the state.
Type: Resolution Status: Filed
Committee: Committee on Governmental Operations
On agenda: 9/12/2012
Enactment date: Law number:
Title: Resolution calling upon the New York State Liquor Authority to improve public and police access to liquor license information by posting online the Method of Operation stipulations for each and every liquor license issued by the state.
Sponsors: Robert Jackson, Margaret S. Chin, Daniel Dromm , Lewis A. Fidler, Vincent J. Gentile, Letitia James, Peter A. Koo, Deborah L. Rose, Jumaane D. Williams, Ydanis A. Rodriguez
Council Member Sponsors: 10
Res. No. 1493
 
 
Resolution calling upon the New York State Liquor Authority to improve public and police access to liquor license information by posting online the Method of Operation stipulations for each and every liquor license issued by the state.
 
 
By Council Members Jackson, Chin, Dromm, Fidler, Gentile, James, Koo, Rose, Williams and Rodriguez  
 
Whereas, The New York State Liquor Authority (SLA) is responsible for issuing liquor licenses to all manufactures, wholesale distributors and retail sellers of alcoholic beverages in New York State, and enforces the Alcoholic Beverage Control Law; and
Whereas, When considering an application for such a license in New York City, the SLA reviews the recommendations of the affected Community Board wherein a proposed licensee will be located; and
      Whereas, Community Boards include specific operating stipulations in their recommendations which have usually been negotiated with the proposed licensee, including issues relating to hours of operation, allowable noise level, security provisions and the use of outdoor space; and
      Whereas, The SLA usually incorporates these stipulations into the license's Method of Operation, which is legally enforceable and determines how a licensee must operate; and
      Whereas, The SLA often depends on notification from Community Boards and members of the public when a licensee is not complying with its Method of Operation; and
      Whereas, Currently neither police officers responding to a complaint nor Community Boards can get immediate access to the Method of Operation, while a member of the public must submit a request for information under the Freedom of Information Law in order to access information about the Method of Operation; and
      Whereas, This process is slow and burdensome, and hinders the ability of the police and the community to help enforce the Method of Operation; and
      Whereas, Posting the license's Method of Operation online would allow local police officers to know immediately if a licensee was breaking its operating rules when responding to a complaint, and would allow Community Boards and the public to help the SLA enforce State liquor laws; now, therefore, be it
      Resolved, That the Council of the City of New York calls upon the New York State Liquor Authority to improve public and police access to liquor license information by posting online the Method of Operation stipulations for each and every liquor license issued by the state.
 
 
AM
LS #3264
03/23/2012