Get Full Government Meeting Transcripts, Videos, & Alerts Forever!
Get email alerts on the Licenses topic
No spam. Unsubscribe anytime.
Licensing committee advances new licenses, continues several applications; motion to credit 39 West fine fails
Summary
The Safety Services & Licenses Committee approved multiple liquor‑license actions and continued several applications for missing documentation. A separate status hearing for 39 West (39 West Phoenix Plaza) ended with a failed motion to convert a previously imposed $500 fine into credit toward the next license renewal.
The Safety Services & Licenses Committee met March 2 and handled a full slate of licensing matters, moving several applications forward to the full council and continuing others to the April meeting for missing documents.
New and transferred licenses approved out of committee included a Class BV application for G and MK Co‑op at 146 Gans Avenue (applicant Tom Kim) and a Class B transfer for Ganzik Asian Bistro (736 Park Avenue). The committee approved hours and technical requirements for those applicants and instructed them that final council approval will be required at the full council meeting because the city is at its cap for certain license types.
Several applications were continued to April because required materials were incomplete: Ugly Dumplin (2000 Chapel View Boulevard) was missing a letter of good standing and a certificate of occupancy; KJ Amar Venue LLC (1016 Park Avenue) was missing state documentation and was advised to apply for a separate entertainment permit; a victualing license for DNM Pizza (41 Wick Avenue) was continued pending Rhode Island Department of Health inspection.
A lengthy, contested status review concerned 39 West Phoenix Plaza. Owner Steve F. explained he believed prior notices and online payment had resolved the matter; he described a misunderstanding after police visits and said the business paid fees in good faith. The city solicitor acknowledged a communication breakdown and said officers had reported 39 West was in compliance on some items but that the committee remained the decision‑making body on fines and renewals. The solicitor said he would not object if the committee chose to convert the $500 fine to a credit toward the 2026 license renewal but left the decision to the councilors. Several councilors opposed the credit, citing precedent and fairness to other businesses; a motion to credit the $500 toward the 2026 renewal was seconded but failed on a roll‑call vote (tally: yes 2, no 4). The owner was told the committee had no further action that evening beyond status reporting.
Other routine renewals (secondhand dealer, used auto dealer, farmers market permits, mobile food establishment schedules) were approved and monthly vendor schedules were accepted into the record. The committee closed by noting several communications items and adjourning.
The committee’s actions now proceed to the full council calendar where required.
