Nov 132012
 

 

At the agenda meeting on November 5, 2012, the Greenwood Village City Council and Local Liquor Licensing Authority did exactly what the title suggests. The City Council questioned and determined the penalty of a liquor store, Khulan Wine and Spirits, which had violated the local liquor law. A lawyer on behalf of Greenwood Village asserted that the city had given a stipulation to the local liquor store in lieu of suspension. The stipulation stated, that since this was a first-time offense, the store could pay a fine instead of face suspension and lose profit. The store would also have to require employees to ask for ID from anyone who looks 35 and younger, post signs reminding customers about Colorado laws, and place a calendar in the front of the store. Classes teaching employees about the liquor laws and how to differently handle customers would also be offered. After that, the owner of the liquor store and her daughter testified that they had accepted the stipulation and would pay the fine. The fine was between $300 and $500. Although this was relatively routine council business, I found the exchange between the lawyer, the store, and the Council fascinating. The lawyer was pleased that a reasonable deal had been reached. The store owners seemed nervous but graciously accepted the deal and promised that a second offense would not happen. The Council reprimanded the store owners and warned that the situation might not go as smoothly for a second offense. I think all parties were happy with the end result and the Council dealt with the issue quickly and efficiently with little debate or argument.

 

  •  Posted by on November 13, 2012 at 6:33 pm
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Nov 112012
 

During the September meeting, Article 2 and 24 of the Greenwood Village Municipal Code Regarding Mobile Service Permits was reviewed and tabled. Although it was tabled, it seemed as though the council members were not in favor of letting Mr. Scott Little and Mr. Jessie Rayford continue to let them park their food trucks in public parking spaces due to safety concerns. In my opinion, I think this is wrong. I can’t say that for sure that this was about to fail, but I am quite certain.
The main disagreement that the council chamber had was that pedestrians have trouble seeing over these large vehicles and are impaired while attempting to use the crosswalk and cannot see past the angled parking. The amendment provided stated that these vehicles are not allowed to park on busy streets but on inner confined private parking lots where they can only occupy two spaces. This prohibits any parking on any public streets or parking spaces. The argument against that was that private buildings usually already have diners and food places affiliated with them already, creating a lack in business and increase in competition.
What I believe would be the best option is to let the vehicles park in public spaces with a bought parking pass that goes directly to the city. Another option would be to allow them to park in public spaces but with every item the food truck sells there is a small tax on it that goes to the city in order to let them park in these public spaces. I feel as though if you do ban them from parking where their usual business consumers go, they will disobey the law and get parking tickets and that can be their temporary “parking permit” for them. If it is worth it to them, I don’t see why they wouldn’t try this. Then every time they just pay the fine, they get on a regular basis. In order to prevent this from arising, it would be fair to take these measures to prevent conflict instead of just banning them.
In regards to the safety issue, a precaution could be taken by putting parameters on where they can and cannot park. For example, a food truck must be a certain amount of feet away from a cross walk and need to have caution cones warning the public. A food truck should not be treated any differently than a hot-dog stand in the park.

  •  Posted by on November 11, 2012 at 2:59 pm
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Nov 072012
 

 

 

 

 

 

Councilmember Presley’s Interns Fall 2012. Ragan Anthony, Asha Banerjee, students at Cherry Creek High School.

  •  Posted by on November 7, 2012 at 11:23 pm
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