Kodiak Island Borough Assembly objects to renewal of restaurant license 3293, warns transfer could be affected

The Kodiak Island Borough Assembly on Jan. 16 voted 5-1 to object to the renewal of restaurant and eating place license number 3293 and directed the borough clerk to notify the Alaska Alcoholic Beverage Control (ABC) board.

The objection, offered by Assembly Member Jared and seconded by another assembly member, followed a clerk’s investigation that cited an inaccurate business address in the application packet and evidence the business listed on the application had been inactive for several years. Borough Clerk Lena reported the clerk’s office had not received a response from the licensee after attempts to contact them.

The objection matters because a transfer application for license 3293 is currently pending with the state. Borough Clerk Lena told the assembly that a local protest of the renewal could “ripple” into the transfer review: if the ABC board upholds the borough’s protest or delays action, the transfer could be held over to a later meeting or put on hold while appeals or further investigation take place.

Small business owners and residents addressed the assembly during the public-comment period. Melissa Burns, who said she owns and operates Nunez Cafe downtown and applied last year for a transfer of an RLP permit, described her multi-year efforts to open and operate a restaurant in Kodiak and the economic strain of delays. “I ask for your support in obtaining this RLP — it has been a long journey and part of my business plan since inception,” Burns said. Leanna Harrington, who said she has followed the licensing matters closely, told the assembly she was tired of the drawn-out…