Sean C. Morgan
Ernie Volkers and Manuel L. Victor are hoping to soon reopen the old Frontier bar as the Downtown Restaurant and Lounge.
The Sweet Home City Council voted to recommend that the Oregon Liquor Control Commission approve a liquor license for the business during its regular meeting on April 24.
Victor and Volkers applied for a full on-premises liquor license to operate the business, formerly known as The Frontier, The New Frontier, The Last Frontier, The Last Round and the Downtown Saloon, located at 1234 Main St. It permits wine, beer and hard liquor to be served at the table or bar. It has previously been licensed by Ed Volkers, father of Ernie Volkers, and also by Manuel Victor.
The Sweet Home Police Department began investigating the request on April 5, said Police Chief Bob Burford. “Ernie Volkers will be the day-to-day manager, and Mr. Victor will be acting as a silent partner with the hopes of selling the business to Volkers in the future.
“Based upon OLCC’s findings of a history of serious and consistent problems, the Police Department has concerns with yet another combination of family members and associates operating this business,” Burford said. “However, Ernie Volkers states he will try and address the history of problems and will attempt to change the reputation of the bar. Thus, the Police Department finds no reason to recommend denial.”
During the licensing process, the OLCC will complete its own investigation and then decides whether to grant the license.
The partners plan to operate the bar from 9 p.m. to midnight, Thursday through Saturday, with live music, recorded music, DJ music, dancing, coin-operated games, Oregon Lottery machines and pool.
Later, the bar may expand its hours of operation, Volkers told the council.
Present at the meeting were councilors Marybeth Angulo, Greg Mahler, Jim Gourley, Mike Hall, Scott McKee Jr., Ron Rodgers and Mayor Craig Fentiman. They voted unanimously to recommend approval.
In other business, the council:
n Approved the exchange of federal transportation funds for state funds.
Under the arrangement, the city will exchange $97,049 in federal funds for $91,226 in state funds from the Oregon Department of Transportation. The funds are used to pay for construction and overlay projects in the city.
By exchanging the funds, local municipalities to fund street-related projects without having federal requirements that usually add significant costs and time to local projects, said City Manager Craig Martin.
The funds will be used in the 2012-13 operating budget.
n Held the second reading of a new variance ordinance and an ordinance that will prohibit the burial of human remains on private property.
n Received a plaque from Oregon Community Trees Director Ron Dyer as Oregon Tree City of The Year in recognition of Sweet Home’s 25th year being named a Tree City USA.