Resolution 051029

..Title Authorizing City Council's Legislative Oversight Committee to hold public hearings for the purpose of investigating the presence of an overwhelming number of violations present in and around licensed liquor establishments. ..Body WHEREAS, The Pennsylvania Liquor Control Board (PLCB) states that it is unlawful for any restaurant or eating place licensed establishment to remain in operation without continuously complying with the conditions under which it was originally licensed; and WHEREAS, The PLCB states that these licensed operations must be reputable places where food is regularly and customarily prepared and sold, with a permanent seating requirement of at least thirty (30) chairs at tables; and WHEREAS, The PLCB also states that it is unlawful to sell, furnish or give or to permit the sale, furnishing or giving of any liquor or malt or brewed beverages to minors, insane or visibly intoxicated persons, habitual drunkards or persons of known intemperate habits; and WHEREAS, Furthermore, the PLCB states that is unlawful for any liquor licensee, or any retail dispenser, his servants, agents or employees to permit persons of ill repute, including prostitutes, to frequent the licensed premises or any premises operated in connection therewith; and WHEREAS, Minors may frequent liquor licensed premises only if they are: with their parent(s); with their legal guardian(s); under proper supervision; attending a social gathering; or in an establishment whose sales of food and non-alcoholic beverages equal fifty percent (50%) or more of their sales of food and alcoholic beverages; and WHEREAS, During every liquor license renewal period, a significant number of nuisance liquor licensed establishments with apparent violations are renewed; and WHEREAS, Allowing these nuisance liquor license establishments to exist without intervention is destructive to our communities and disrespectful to the citizens of Philadelphia; now, therefore, be it RESOLVED BY THE COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF PHILADELPHIA, That authority be given to the Legislative Oversight Committee to hold public hearings for the purpose of investigating the presence of an overwhelming number of violations present in and around licensed liquor establishments. FURTHER RESOLVED, That the Committee is authorized in furtherance of such investigation to issue subpoenas as may be necessary to compel the attendance of witnesses and the production of documents to the full extent authorized under Section 2-401 of the Home Rule Charter. ..End