More on Seattle Nightlife ordinances

Hopefully you music fans out there have been following the Seattle Mayor's nightlife proposals. If not, I recommend reading the Seattle Nightlife and Music Association site.

There is another meeting on the subject tomorrow (June 21) being held in the University District at University Heights 5031 University Way NE at 6:00pm. Apparently there was next to zero representation from Seattle musicians at the last meeting, although there was representation from clubs and other music related businesses. (see video link below).

Video from the June 4 City Council Hearing. You'll have to stick with it for a while, since the meeting (and audio) don't actually kick in until around the 2 minute mark. The video says there will be a *vote* tomorrow after the council having met to discuss next steps the the proposals.

So, let your voice be heard, music fans.

Seattle Nightlife ordinances - take action

I've been semi-casually following the Seattle Nightlife Ordinances that have been under discussion for 6 months or so, and have done my part to contact these folks and let them know where I stand. I hope you'll do the same. It really does matter.

Here's the latest from the Seattle Nightlife and Music Association, and how YOU, dear reader, can help keep this junk from messing up our rock-n-roll.

From The Seattle Nightlife and Music Association (SNMA)
www.seattlenma.org

Yesterday City Council member’s Clark and Drago issued a press release and briefing paper outlining a series of proposals in response to the Mayor’s proposed nightlife regulations. The press release is available at http://seattlenma.org/downloads/clark_release and the briefing paper at http://seattlenma.org/downloads/clark_brief

The two council members are proposing a series of actions that if, taken together, would be for more egregious than what the mayor originally proposed. These actions include:

Embracing the mayor’s proposal of creating a new nightlife license which would be used to close down clubs at the discretion of the city.

Significantly increases fines for noise violations from $500 up to $6000.

Amends the current nuisance ordinance so the city could more easily close down clubs.

Requests the mayor to consider even more regulations on nightlife establishments.

If this entire package were to be adopted, Seattle would have some of the most stringent nightlife regulations in the country.

It appears that Council member Clark is intent on seeking approval of all elements of the package! This would have a devastating impact our music industry!!

Your voice needs to be heard now and loud.

First, email the City Council members today. And then attend the June 4th public hearing on this package. It begins at 5:30. Get there early to sign up! This hearing is in the City Council Chambers on the 2nd floor of City Hall located at 600 - 4th Ave downtown.

Below are the emails to the council members:

Nick.licata@seattle.gov 684-8803
Sally.clark@seattle.gov 684-8802 **
Richard.conlin@seattle.gov 684-8805
David.della@seattle.gov 684-8806**
Jan.drago@seattle.gov 684-8801
Jean.godden@seattle.gov 684-8807**
Richard.mciver@seattle.gov 684-8800
Tom.rasmussen@seattle.gov 684-8808**
Peter.steinbrueck@seattle.gov 684-8804**

** indicates these members are up for reelection this year. Peter Steinbrueck is not seeking reelection and this will be an open seat.

seattlenma.org

More on Seattle Nightlife ordinances

The folks over at the Seattle Nightlife and Music Association (SNMA) have done a great job of staying abreast of the proposed ordinances that could/will affect the bars and clubs around town. They've just posted a message that is asking for you to take action.

If you're in Seattle, please send an email to the City Council via the "sample email" link in the message below.

Action Needed – the City Council needs to hear from the nightlife community! Wednesday, January 24, 2007, 01:59 PM

The City Council needs to hear from the nightlife community regarding our opposition to the proposed nightlife premises ordinance. SeattleNMA is hoping you will get involved today. Neighborhood activists are organizing an email campaign as we speak – the City Council must hear from our industry as well.

Please email the City Council and let them know you oppose this legislation. A sample email can be found at http://imonthelist.org/index.php?id=6 and you can just cut and past it into an email by clicking on the link to the councilmembers email addresses.

To read Seattle Nightlife and Music Association's talking points of the proposed law: http://www.seattlenma.org/downloads/SNMA_Talking_Points.pdf

To read Seattle Nightlife and Music Association's Analysis of the proposed law: http://seattlenma.org/downloads/SNMA_Ordinance_Analysis.pdf

To read the entire Nightlife Premises License Ordinance: http://seattlenma.org/downloads/nightlife_premises_ordinance.pdf

Proposed nightclub license legislation released

Over on the Seattle Nightlife and Music Association site, they noted that the Washington State Liquor Control Board has released their proposed legislation [the link=pdf of the legislation] on nightclubs.

Quoting from the SNMA:

Potential restrictions/conditions placed on nightclubs. A major concern of this legislation is that any business defined as a nightclub could not allow persons under 21 on their premises, thereby eliminating all-ages shows at places that serve alcohol. It could also prevent restaurants that have live entertainment in the evenings from serving families lunch and dinner. In addition, this bill would allow WSLCB along with local law enforcement to establish conditions on a nightclub’s operations. These conditions would likely include mandatory security requirements and conditions currently identified in many of the city’s good neighbor agreements.

Please contact you legislator and the WSLCB to express you opinion about this legislation. We will need to mount an aggressive campaign to fight this bill. You can find your legislators at http://apps.leg.wa.gov/DistrictFinder/Default.aspx. Please cc rachel@seattlenma.org on your emails to your elected officials so that we can have a central place for these correspondence.

The mayor's "nightlife" legislation

While I can't consider myself fully informed, I've been vaguely following the situation with Mayor Nickles and his nightlife legislation. There's a piece on it in the Seattle PI this morning.

According to the article, the city council isn't slated to review the proposal until after the first of the year. The new language is apparantly less onerous than previous versions, but it still requires bars and venues to be responsible for not only their own space, but 50 feet surrounding them (essentially saying the venues must serve as the police for public space, which his problematic) and ensure that no sound (i.e. bands) can be heard further than 75 feet away from the venue.

All this, plus $350 the first year and $300 every year after that just to operate.