Committee holds Bulldogs Bar license amendment; police investigate possible unpermitted operation during rebuild

The Protection Policy Committee on Oct. 13 voted to hold until its Nov. 17 meeting an application to amend the liquor-license premises for Bulldogs Bar, listed at 1234 State Street, to include an inside bar area and horseshoe pits.

Staff and police told the committee that the bar’s old building had been torn down and a new building constructed without all permits in place. Inspection staff said the business ultimately obtained a certificate of occupancy in October, and staff noted the license description on file previously referenced a bar storage area in the old structure. Police reported social-media posts and video that suggested the business may have served alcohol during construction or before the certificate of occupancy was issued; police said citations could follow pending their investigation.

Inspectors told the committee the business paid double permit fees for inspection-related permits (an amount staff said totaled between $600 and $700) as part of the enforcement process. Committee members also noted a paperwork problem: the amendment submitted in the packet bore an incorrect future year date on the signature line and needed to be corrected.

Members discussed whether a stipulation agreement (a voluntary conditions agreement often used for problem establishments) could be required; legal staff said a stipulation cannot be a condition of a liquor license but that an applicant could offer one as a sign of good faith. The committee agreed to hold the amendment to allow the applicant to correct the paperwork and to appear at the next Protection Policy Committee meeting; the clerk’s office was directed to notify the applicant to correct the amendment form and to appear.

Speakers included inspection staff, a city attorney, Lieutenant Mahoney of the Green Bay Police Department, Alderman Morgan (who represents the district), and public commenters including Brandy Hibbard.