Flagstaff council forwards six liquor-license applications to state for approval

The Flagstaff City Council voted Tuesday to forward six liquor-license applications to the state Alcoholic Beverage Program with a recommendation for approval.

The applications include restaurant and government licenses, a sampling privilege and a theater restaurant application that council members asked about during the hearing. City Clerk Georgina Staskey opened the public hearing, saying, "Before you today we have 6 liquor licenses." She presented establishment names, license series, addresses, agents and on-site managers as included in the council packet.

The vote moves routine local review to the state for final licensing. The applications presented were El Tapatio 10 (Series 12 restaurant) at 1000 N. Humphrey, Suite 243, agent and manager Jose Manuel Gutierrez Hernandez (managers listed also Claudia Arcela Espinosa, Francisco Espinosa and Cesar Octovio Velasquez Becerra); Melinda Veracruz (Series 12 restaurant) at 1800 S. Milton Road, Suite 21, agent/manager Jared Michael Repinski; Harkins (Series 12 restaurant) at 4751 E. Marketplace Drive, agent Andrea Dahlman Lukowitz, manager Kevin Matthew McConahan; Mobile (sampling privilege on a Series 9) at 3960 N. Country Club Drive, agent/manager Rishon Goswami; Northern Arizona University, Du Bois Center (Series 5 government license) at 306 E. Pine Knoll Drive, agent Rosalita Wilson, manager Frank Alvarado; and Northern Arizona University, Asher's Hall (Series 5 government license) at 624 Knowles Drive, agent Rosalita Wilson, manager Frank Alvarado.

Staskey told council that reports from the Flagstaff Police Department and Community Development were included in the agenda packet. During brief discussion, an attorney for Harkins, Andrea Lukowitz, described the company’s menu expansion and said the company had sought restaurant licenses in other markets. Lukowitz said Harkins had operated with Series 6 and 7 licenses in 12 to 13 locations and that newer menu items had prompted requests for Series 12 restaurant licenses; she added, "It just brings a whole different perspective to watching the movies and having some food."

There was no public comment on the liquor-license items. A council member moved to forward the six applications to the state with a recommendation for approval; another council member seconded. The motion carried with all council members present voting in favor: Mayor Daggett (Mayor) — yes; Vice Mayor Sweeny (Vice Mayor) — yes; Council member Aslan — yes; Council member Garcia — yes; Council member House — yes; Council member Matthews — yes; Council member Spence — yes. The council then closed the public hearing and moved to the consent agenda.

The council record does not include final state action; forwarding to the state is a recommendation and not a final license issuance.