Sean C. Morgan
The Sweet Home City Council recommended to the Oregon Liquor Control Commission that it grant a license to open The Woods Roadhouse at the location of the Foster Waterhole during its regular meeting on June 25.
The applicant, Theresa Brown, doing business as U-N-Me Corporation, had previously operated the business, said Police Chief Jeff Lynn. She sold it to family members in March 2012.
At the time of the sale, Brown’s liquor license was pending suspension through the OLCC, Lynn said. The reason for the suspension was due to Brown allowing a prohibited person on the property.
During Brown’s previous ownership and operation of the establishment, there were several contacts with law enforcement related to complaints of noise associated with live music emanating from the building and disturbing residents of a neighboring RV park.
“The Police Department does have some concerns, based upon the overall investigation,” Lynn said. “However, these concerns do not rise to the level of a recommendation for denial.”
The council has the option of recommending to OLCC that it grant or deny a license, or the council could have simply not taken action, making no recommendation.
Brown told the council she was waiting on the community response, the council’s decision, before moving forward.
“The prohibited person was my husband,” Brown said. “Now we know. That’s not an issue.”
The noise issues were not issues when police responded to complaints about noise, Brown said, and she believes the new owners of the RV park are supportive of the bar, which complements their business, giving campers a place to go.
The noise is monitored, Brown said, and she challenged the council to find someone trying harder to stay within compliance.
“Everyone has a different tolerance,” Brown said. “I try to respect that.”
Music is usually offered only twice per month, and when people ask for something during the week, she tells them she can’t do it, Brown said.
The council voted 5-0 to recommend approval. Present at the meeting were Marybeth Angulo, Craig Fentiman, Mayor Jim Gourley, Bruce Hobbs and Greg Mahler.
In other business, the council:
n Adopted the Budget Committee’s approved 2013-14 budget, which took effect on July 1, and levied property taxes following a public hearing.
n Adopted a supplemental budget, making minor adjustments to the 2012-13 budget, which ended on June 30.
n Entered into a contract to continue with Grove, Mueller and Swank for up to $25,000 for auditing services.
n Reappointed Kevin Hill and Barbara “Susie” Ford to the Library Board, with terms ending on June 30, 2017.
n Reappointed Steve Hanscam to the Traffic Safety Committee, with a term expiring on June 24, 2015.
n Adopted a resolution declaring the city’s election to receive state revenues, among which are revenue streams like the tobacco tax and liquor tax.