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Council postpones Big League Brews suspension hearing to Aug. 6 after heated due-process dispute
Summary
After hours of testimony from the bar owner, attorneys, police and dozens of public commenters, Taylor City Council voted to postpone an appeal of the mayor's suspension of Big League Brews' business license to Aug. 6 to allow more evidence and negotiations.
Taylor City Council on June 30 opened a public appeal of Mayor Woolley's suspension order targeting Big League Brews and then voted to postpone a final decision to Aug. 6, 2025 so the city and the business can gather documents and attempt negotiated remedies.
Matt Taylor, the owner, told the council he did not receive written notice before the mayor's action and said his "due process was was very much so violated." Taylor and his counsel, Seth Tompkins, argued the June 17 meeting that led to the suspension letter provided only a three-hour text notice and no meaningful written allegations, and that the bar had no prior municipal tickets or liquor-control violations tying the business to the most serious incidents. "There was no hearing, there was no notice, and there was no due process," Tompkins told the council.
Police Chief Blair and the mayor countered that calls for service and recent violent incidents around the premises created a public-safety concern. Chief Blair said his office compiled a run tally showing about 160 related runs over three years (noting some were not at the exact bar address) and that investigators found the location "out of control." The chief said the department supports temporary restrictions to "break the cycle."
Council members debated procedure and options during the hearing. Corporation counsel and the city attorney described prior efforts to notify the owner and to negotiate concessions. The mayor offered a revised, narrower proposal from an initial 60-day suspension: a two-week suspension (July 2'16) combined with four weeks of reduced weekend hours (closing at 10 p.m., alcohol sales ending 9:30 p.m.) on specified dates. Defense counsel said the earlier process flaws expose the city to legal risk and urged the council to reject a full 60-day suspension.
After hearing dozens of residents and employees pleading both for public safety and to preserve jobs and community programs tied to the bar, the council voted to postpone the appeal hearing to Aug. 6, 2025 and to allow additional information to be compiled by the police and counsel. The council's motion carried by voice vote; the mayor's original suspension letter was included in meeting materials and the hearing will reopen on the new date.
