Madison council votes to revoke liquor license for 36 South Basset after ALRC hearing

The Madison Common Council voted unanimously on May 19 to accept the Alcohol License Review Committee’s recommendation to revoke the class A alcohol license for Fusion Smoke and Spirits LLC (36 South Basset Street) after a full evidentiary hearing.

Assistant City Attorney McReynolds summarized the ALRC’s finding: the subcommittee concluded the respondent permitted illegal drug activity on the premises and failed to maintain a licensed operator or bartender during business hours — violations the ALRC determined met the ordinance standards for revocation. The ALRC hearing included sworn testimony and documentary exhibits; the subcommittee deliberated and recommended revocation to the full committee, which adopted the recommendation.

Under Madison General Ordinance 38.10, revocation following an evidentiary hearing triggers a defined effect: no new liquor license may be issued for that address for 12 months. City counsel explained that the council’s role was limited to accepting or rejecting (or modifying) the ALRC’s report on the factual record; if the council accepts the ALRC findings the ordinance automatically applies the stated consequence.

Public commenters registered during the earlier public‑comment period included representatives of the property owner, Keller Real Estate Group, and prospective business operators. Nick Bradzos of Keller told the council that Keller did not oppose revoking the license held by the operator, Jacob McRoberts (DBA Fusion), but urged the council not to apply collateral consequences to the parcel itself because Keller is negotiating other reputable tenants and argued a revocation of the premises would freeze new uses for 12 months. A registrant who identified herself as Michelle Kumar said she had interest in operating at the location and urged the council not to penalize the property’s next operator for the conduct of a prior licensee.

City counsel said staff had warned the property owner in advance that revocation could carry the 12‑month address consequence and that the revocation process had proceeded after attempts to secure eviction and other remedies did not result in removal of the respondent. Counsel described the surrender of the license that occurred later in the process as insufficient to negate the record and the ordinance consequence because the hearing and factual findings were already complete.

Outcome: The council accepted the ALRC report and recommendation; the license revocation takes effect per the ordinance and will bar issuance of a new alcohol license at 36 South Basset Street for 12 months from the revocation date. The council record shows the decision flowed from the ALRC’s factual findings about illegal drug activity and failure to have a licensed operator on site.

Provenance: Item and hearing documentation (ALRC hearing and report) and council discussion (SEG 651–824; SEG 4572–5375).