The City Council met Tuesday, Sept. 3 to discuss Havana Dreamin' requesting an alcohol license, and Exhale's request to operate as a cigar and hookah lounge.
"They died because a lack of action," said David Dorton, city director of public affairs. "The Havana Dreamin' one is two issues, even though they are both dealing with smoking. Havana Dreamin's issue was that they wanted to add alcohol to a smoking lounge."
Havana Dreamin', 2328 S. College St. suite 12, sought approval for an alcoholic beverage license, but the license was denied after being granted approval to operate as a retail tobacco shop in January.
Zamil Ali of Exhale, the cigar and hookah lounge, requested approval to operate as a tobacco specialty shop, or operate as a cigar or hookah lounge. Exhale is located at 221 N. College St. in the College Edge Overlay District.
At the Aug. 6 meeting, both Havana Dreamin' and Exhale's requests were tabled in order for the Council to research the businesses' compliance of the City's smoking ordinances.
"The problem the Council saw with that was we've told bars that they can't smoke anymore," Dorton said. "So if you allow a smoking lounge to add alcohol to the smoking lounge, then that might be inconsistent with rules bars have to abide by."
Three citizens approached the Council to discuss the potential harms of smoking, while Havana Dreamin' owner, Rick Payne argued for the approval of the alcohol license.
"I think the hookah bar goes back to the issue of what do they want the smoking ordinance to allow, and the idea that we are going back and being consistent in how we apply all of these rules," Dorton said. "And really do they want to allow any type of smoking establishment, I think is part of the discussion."
In other business:
- Katie Robinson from the planning department was named employee of the month.
- The Mayor awarded five service pins and plaques. Stephanie Spraggins with the finance department and Audrea May with the public works department were awarded pins for their five year service to the City. David Carr with the public safety department and Marty Beckwith with the public works department were honored for their 10 years of service.
- City Manager Charles Duggan announced vacancies in the Auburn City Public Library board, cemeteries advisory board and two vacancies in the industrial development board.
- The Council approved alcoholic beverage licenses to Halftime Sports Bar and Grill on 154 and 156 N. College St.
- The Council approved with unanimous consent the establishment of a stop sign in the Shelton Cove Subdivision.
- Approved closing City streets for the Historic Pine Hill Lantern Tour and the Downtown Trick or Treat in October.
- Approved Zazu's, 149 E. Magnolia Ave., request for an outdoor cafe permit.
- Approved fixed costs for cutting overgrown lots at 804 Cahaba Drive and South College Street parcels.
- Approved non-educational tax abatements for Pyongsan America Inc and toolCare U.S. International.
- Approved conditional use of an accessory road for Oly's Automotive Detailing located at 465 Opelika Road. The item originally appeared in the August 20 City Council meeting where it was tabled to ensure the correction of zoning violations.
- Approved Boykin Center tenants leases
- Approved the purchase of 60 Motorola two-way radios at a cost of $59,145.
- Approved purchase of two 60-inch Exmark mowers, three weed eaters, two edgers and one backpack mower at a total cost of $21,968.25
- Approved drainage and utility easements at lot 2-C of the Samford Glenn Subdivision and two easements for the Northeast Parallel Outfall Sewer Project.
- Approved nomination of Anna Hovey on the Mental Retardation Board.
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