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Sioux Falls council renews La Carrera liquor license after neighbors cite noise; police data shows 27 calls in year
Summary
The City Council voted 8-0 to renew the liquor license for La Carrera LLC at 2309 W. Madison St. Council members heard police call counts, owner mitigation steps and heated public comment alleging racial motivations for complaints.
The Sioux Falls City Council voted 8-0 Tuesday to renew the liquor license for La Carrera LLC, a nightclub at 2309 West Madison Street, after councilors heard a year of police service calls and testimony from the owner and neighbors.
Councilor Sigurdi pulled the item from the consent agenda for discussion after constituents in the northwest area raised noise concerns. Chief Toombs of the Sioux Falls Police Department told the council, "over the past year... 5 noise disturbances, 10 disorderly subject calls, 5 fights and 7 other various calls. So there's 27 calls for service within the last 12 months at this location." Sigurdi said she has received complaints beginning "right after New Year's" and that they increase as the weather improves.
The owner, Juan Nuno, told the council he has made changes to reduce sound, including removing speakers, adding cushioning under bass speakers, installing a limiter and using a phone app "to measure the noise outside the building." When asked when music stops on weekend nights, Nuno answered, "Exactly at 01:45." He described the venue as "a regular nice club" that serves a single food item and said he has not personally experienced frequent police visits.
A neighborhood resident who addressed the council strongly disputed the complaints against the club, called some complainants "racist" and said the critics repeatedly called police. The speaker urged the council to allow the business to continue and defended the club's role in serving a diverse clientele.
Councilor Spellerberg said he would support the renewal and asked the owner to continue mitigation efforts. After brief council discussion, the motion to renew carried unanimously.
The council's action was a renewal of the existing retail liquor license; no new conditions or ordinance changes were adopted. The council did not adopt additional enforcement measures during the meeting but members encouraged continued attention to neighbor concerns.
The license renewal vote recorded the following yes votes: Cole, McCurries, Sigourney, Sale, Spellerberg, Thomason, Maranko and Basie.
The council proceeded to other business after the vote; the owner indicated he would consider additional noise mitigation steps.
