Assembly weighs protest of renewal for beverage permit 3293 while transfer application is under review

The Kodiak Island Borough clerk asked the assembly on Jan. 9 to consider protesting the renewal of beverage license number 3293 after a staff investigation raised concerns about the application’s accuracy and the status of the business at the listed location.

Clerk Selena said the renewal notice for license 3293 was received Dec. 31, 2024. A subsequent internal review found that the business appeared inactive, that the building had not been inspected by the fire marshal and that community development staff identified address discrepancies. The clerk’s report recommended the assembly direct staff to protest the renewal to the Alaska Alcohol and Marijuana Control Office (AMCO) for consideration by the Alcoholic Beverage Control Board.

At the same time the clerk’s office received the renewal notice, the borough also received a transfer-of-ownership application for the same license. Melissa Burns, calling into the meeting, identified herself as the owner of Nunuik Downtown and said she had been working on transferring beverage permit 3293 to her business; she said AMCO had told her the application was complete and would be forwarded for comment.

The statutory timeline is tight: the clerk reported AMCO’s deadlines meant the ABC board could consider the matter at its Feb. 4 meeting and that the borough had until Jan. 17 to file any protest or commentary. The clerk also noted the applicant has an opportunity to respond under state regulation 3 AAC 305.085.

Several assembly members said they would not support renewal for the current holder unless the pending transfer to the local applicant is completed; some indicated they planned to vote to protest the renewal if the transfer could not be documented. Assemblymember Ryan Sherritt said explicitly he would “only support the renewal … if the transfer can be conducted” to the new applicant; otherwise he would support a protest.

Clerk Selena said staff had notified AMCO of the borough’s intent to investigate and had provided notice to the applicant of the potential protest. The clerk recommended the assembly direct her office to file a formal protest to AMCO, based on the departments’ findings.

Next steps: The assembly did not take a final vote on Jan. 9. The clerk will follow up with AMCO to confirm deadlines and to distribute any additional information to assembly members; the matter will return to the assembly as needed before AMCO’s scheduled review. If AMCO approves the transfer before the borough finalizes a protest or objection, the transfer may proceed subject to AMCO’s conditions and review process.