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Alcohol License Review Committee approves Ohio Tavern’s entertainment and new licenses over police-notification concerns
Summary
The ALRC voted 4–1 to recommend approval of a 21-plus entertainment license and a new alcohol license for Ohio Tavern at 224 Ohio Ave., after discussion about whether applicants had completed required notifications to the neighborhood association and police captain.
The Alcohol License Review Committee recommended approval Tuesday of a 21-plus entertainment license and a corresponding new alcohol license for the Ohio Tavern, 224 Ohio Ave., by a 4–1 roll-call vote.
The committee’s discussion focused on whether the applicants had completed the notifications the ALRC application asks for: an orange informational sign, contact with the district alder and the district police captain, and contact with the neighborhood association. Ross Hubbard, who appeared by Zoom, said the applicants had posted the orange sign and spoken with the alder and the captain but had not met directly with the neighborhood association; his partner, Ryan Schultz, told the committee they had emailed the neighborhood association and had spoken with Alder Rutherford by phone.
Captain Kamoski of the Madison Police Department reported that the department had an email exchange with a person tied to the prior ownership but had not had direct contact with the new applicants in person. Alder Knox and other committee members pressed applicants for confirmation that the police captain received direct contact; Ryan Schultz said the police captain had responded by email and that the applicants had attempted outreach to the neighborhood association.
Attorney McReynolds reminded the committee that the ALRC application requires applicants to attempt those contacts and to document them; she urged consistency with prior meetings in how the requirement is enforced. After discussion, Ms. Carter moved to approve and Ms. Westra seconded. Roll-call votes recorded Alder Revere Aye; Ms. Farley Aye; Ms. Westra Aye; Alder Knox No; Ms. Carter Aye. The motion passed 4–1.
The license recommendation moves to the Common Council for final action; the clerk’s office will confirm any outstanding documentation required before issuing a license.
Votes at a glance: the committee’s roll-call vote on the Ohio Tavern (items 11 and 19) was recorded as 4 ayes, 1 no.
Committee members also discussed the business model and hours, and whether existing staff and menus would remain in place; the applicants said they planned to keep the current staff and maintain menu service through the late-night period. Captain Kamoski and Attorney McReynolds noted the ALRC can recommend licenses while zoning, enforcement, or other administrative follow-up continues.
