Madison review committee approves several liquor-license changes, grants agent status despite decades-old convictions

The Alcohol License Review Committee in Madison voted Oct. 16 to approve several alcohol-licensing items, including a change of agent for Spare Time New England and two business-license adjustments.

The committee granted the change-of-agent request for Spare Time New England after hearing a background-check summary from Captain Kamoski and testimony from applicant Jessica Miller. Kamoski told the committee the background check showed multiple convictions tied to 2004 for identity theft and obtaining money by forgery, additional Monona Police Department cases in the same period, and a 2016 misdemeanor possession of THC. "These were quite old," Kamoski said when describing the records. Miller, who introduced herself and said she is the general manager for the business, told the committee, "Those offenses were almost 20 years ago ... I have really worked hard to rehabilitating myself" and described completing rehabilitation courses, serving time with work release, and more than a decade of experience managing restaurants and beverage operations.

Alderman Revere moved to "grant the change of agent, notwithstanding the felony convictions." The motion was seconded and approved with no objection. The committee did not record a roll-call tally during the public meeting; the chair announced the motion passed.

The committee also approved an entity reorganization for the Red Rooster (2513 Seaforth Road). Tim Paine, appearing by Zoom, said he bought out a partner and is now sole owner; committee members discussed why the item appeared off the consent agenda (a greater-than-50% ownership change) and then approved the reorganization on a motion from Alderman Revere, seconded by Alderman Knox.

Separately, the panel granted a new license for Dream Lanes (13 Atlas Court). Owner and agent Robin Goldberg told the committee she has operated Dream Lanes for 41 years and is pursuing a new LLC license so potential buyers can complete due diligence; Goldberg said she would remain the agent and general manager during a transition period. Attorney McReynolds asked about a discrepancy on the application showing 99% beverage/1% other for food-and-beverage revenue; Goldberg explained the food service is leased to a franchise operator and that beverage sales make up about 37% of total sales when bowling is included, while alcohol accounts for the large share of food-and-beverage revenue on the licensing form.

Votes at a glance: - Change of agent, Spare Time New England — motion to grant "notwithstanding the felony convictions" (moved by Alderman Revere; seconded; approved). - Entity reorganization, Red Rooster (Tim Paine) — motion to grant (moved by Alderman Revere; seconded by Alderman Knox; approved). - New license, Dream Lanes (Robin Goldberg) — motion to grant (moved by Alderman Revere; seconded by Miss Carter; approved). - Consent agenda (items 2, 4, 6, 7, 8, 9) — approved with recommendations earlier in the meeting.

Why it matters: The committee's decision to approve an agent despite felony convictions highlights how licensing panels weigh rehabilitation claims and industry experience against criminal-history findings in background checks. The approvals also reflect ongoing turnover and ownership changes in downtown and neighborhood hospitality businesses.

Next steps: Approved licenses and reorganizations will move to any required council or administrative steps for issuance; applicants and city staff noted timing questions around issuance and possible 180-day windows for converting grants into issued licenses.