HomeMy WebLinkAboutgr00090_000044_pg140days and cost Mr. Hartinger thousands of dollars in lost business.
Attorney Meyers stated that he had a report in front of him of a call received on
the Launching Pad in which the caller stated that every Monday morning Al Hartinger
took name brand liquor bottles and poured bar whiskey into them. Attorney Meyers
said that that was the type of report the City had received on the Launching Pad.
Attorney Meyers also mentioned the numerous violations that have occurred at the
Launching Pad, such as closed doors, electrical problems, etc., and stated that
there were enough facts involved that the City would like to know why Mr. Hartinger
felt he should be issued a liquor license, and reminded everyone that it was the
City's responsibility to control the bars and what goes on in them. He also revealed
that Mr. Hartinger had contacted him earlier at the time of the federal suspension
and asked if the City would invoke a further suspension.
Mr. Diamond replied that it is difficult for anyone to stay on top of all situations
on a day to day basis, and that the Launching Pad appreciates knowing what the City
thinks and how they feel and knowing what the complaints are.
Attorney Meyers stated that he did not feel Mr. Hartinger was taking the whole issue
seriously.
Mr. Diamond replied that the difficults of the past had been taken care of and that
the new bouncers at the Launching Pad were now called doormen, and that the Launching
Pad was taking the Council seriously.
Councilmember Baumgartner read from a report he had from Agent Roberts who was involved
in the inspection at the Launching Pad. The report stated that two bottles confiscated
from the Launching Pad had been found to be in violation, that one was only 78 proof
and the other only 82 proof, and that both should have been 86 proof, contradicting
Mr. Diamond's statement that only one bottle had been removed and found in violation.
Mayor Pickar asked what steps had been taken by Mr. Hartinger to change the crowd that
frequented the Launching Pad.
Mr. Diamond replied that the disco had been put into effect, which had changed the
crowd, and that it was generally the younger, more unruley people who preferred live
bands, which the disco cut down on. Also, the floor manager had changed his attitude
for the better. However, Mr. Diamond stated that the crowd could not be changed over-
night but that they were working on it.
Mayor Pickar questioned the assault charge on the Launching Pad. Attorney Meyers
replied that the police department had prepared a report on the charges, and that
a gun had been taken from a customer by an employee of the Launching Pad but was not
turned over to the police until they requested it from the Launching Pad.
Attorney Meyers stated that there had been 134 radio calls to the Launching Pad since
January 1977, of which 17 were for noise, 2 were for assault in January, 1 was for
assault in April, and numerous vandalism incidents. Attorney Meyers also pointed out
the condition of the Launching Pad parking lot when driving by in the morning, all
strewn with litter from the night before which had not been cleaned up.
Ronald Fagerstrom, 7408 Silver Lake Road, identified himself as the fire chief and
stated that he had inspected the Launching Pad recently on a Saturday night at 9 PM,
unannounced, and found several violations. The back door was locked on the main
level and the back door on the lower level was also locked. Mr. Hartinger did not
even have the key to open the door in his possession and had to drive home to get the