Village Council wants your input

This in from Patrick Sessions, the Chairman-elect of the Village Council:

To: All Coconut Grove Residents, Residential Associations, Business Owners, Commercial Associations, and interested individual parties.

From: Patrick Sessions, Chairman-elect, Cocoanut Grove Village Council

As you are undoubtedly aware, there is an ongoing debate in Coconut Grove regarding the 3 am versus 5 am bar/restaurant closing times. In June, 2008, a revision to the Miami City Code went into effect which changed the closing times to 3 am for Coconut Grove. Specifically, the underlined language was added at that time:

“(6) The hours of sale for alcoholic beverages by the following establishments are weekdays, including Saturday, from 7:00 am to 5 am on the following day; Sunday, from 12:00 noon to 5 am on the following day, except in the SD-2 Coconut Grove Central Commercial district where the hours of sale for alcoholic beverages by the following establishments are weekdays, including Saturday, from 7:00 am to 3:00 am on the following day; Sunday, from 12:00 noon to 3:00 am on the following day:
a. Nightclubs;
b. Supper clubs;
c. Hotels, motels and apartments with 100 or more guestrooms;
d. Any of the establishments (above) in a retail or waterfront specialty center.”

Commissioner Sarnoff has announced that he will hear discussion on this issue at the second January, 2010 Commission meeting. At his request, the CGVC will be speaking at the Commission meeting on this issue and therefore the Council is seeking input from all interested parties and organizations regarding their position on this issue. As mandated by its By-Laws, “The Cocoanut Grove Village Council shall promote and advance the interest of, and represent the people of Coconut Grove, Florida, before governmental and other entities having any impact on the people who live in the area defined as Coconut Grove.” You elected us, and to fulfill our obligations and responsibilities to you, we are seeking input from you, the “people” both residential and commercial, of Coconut Grove. While we had some input at our previous meeting, additional information would be helpful.

Therefore, I’m asking that prior to or at our next scheduled meeting on December 16, 2009, that you or your organization give us your official position on this issue, either by sending an authorized representative to the Council meeting or emailing your position to us at patsessionscgvc@aol.com.

Your choices are as follows:

1. Leave the ordinance as it is and keep the closing time at 3AM in the Grove business district.

2. Request that the revision pertaining to the 3 AM closings in the SD2 Grove Commercial District be rescinded and that the Grove be treated the same as other business districts in the City and allow qualified establishments be open to 5 AM.

It should be pointed out that there is currently only one establishment in the Grove with a 5 am license and that is Mr. Moe’s, so in the event that the 3 AM closings were rescinded and put back to 5 am, Mr. Moe’s would be the only establishment “grandfathered in”. Any other establishments seeking a 5 am license would be required to meet all applicable governmental standards and requirements for a 5 am license.

I would request that you provide us with as much information as you can or would be willing to share. If you are a member of an organization, that includes, but is not limited to:

The name of your organization.
Your position in your organization.
The type of organization, ie; residential, commercial, ect.
The number of members.
The area your group encompasses.
Whether your vote was determined by a vote of your board or by the full membership.
The actual count of your board or full membership for or against the existing ordnance.

The Council needs your input to best represent the interests of the people of the Grove to the City Commission and others. Many of us in the Grove have strong positions on issues that affect Coconut Grove, but are “guilty” of not taking the time or effort to make ourselves heard. The Coconut Grove Village Council is one opportunity for you to be heard, and for your voice to be then heard by others.

The newly elected Cocoanut Grove Village Council will be sworn in at the upcoming December 16, 2009 meeting and we look forward to your participation on this and other important Coconut Grove issues.