Carbondale liquor commission accepts hearing officer recommendation, reprimands Indigo Event Space & Lounge

The Carbondale Local Liquor Control Commission voted unanimously to accept a hearing officer—s report and recommendation and to impose costs of proceedings and a letter of reprimand on Indigo Event Space & Lounge LLC, the commission said during its March meeting.

The action followed an Oct. 14, 2024 occupancy check requested by on-duty police and the on-duty assistant fire chief after calls about patrons standing in State Route 13 outside the establishment. Staff reported that Indigo Event Space & Lounge had exceeded its posted occupancy and voluntarily closed for the night to address the concern.

City staff said the City Attorney's Office filed a complaint on Nov. 22, 2024, parties entered a stipulated statement of facts and submitted relevant documents to the hearing officer. Because this was the establishment—s first violation within the applicable period, staff recommended the standard outcome: payment of costs and a letter of reprimand rather than a fine or suspension.

"I move the commission accept the recommendation of the hearing officer and impose cost of proceedings and a letter of reprimand to licensee," Commissioner Doherty said when moving the action. A second was recorded and the roll-call vote was unanimous in favor.

A representative noted that a letter of reprimand is recorded on a license as the routine response to a first violation. City counsel explained that if a licensee pleads not guilty the matter proceeds to a hearing; if the licensee pleads guilty, it commonly results in a stipulated agreement and the standard sanction for a first offense.

No additional penalties were announced at the meeting. The commission accepted the hearing officer—s recommendation and ordered the licensee to pay the costs of proceedings and issued a reprimand as recorded in the hearing file.