City Council Actions and Report

A cabaret license request submitted by Greenwave Sports Bar during the council’s last meeting was back for a second look on Tuesday, February 21 with commitments from the owner to not allow minors in the establishment.

Deputy City Clerk Elsie Lee said the cabaret license is a privileged license that allows live entertainment or dancing at the establishment. 

Johan Vera’s new application included a February 9 letter stating he now understood the requirements for a cabaret license for his bar and has canceled all events until further notice. 
Mayor Ken Tedford said, “This was tabled before because there were questions about 20 and under, partitioning, and other events on the application.” The mayor acknowledged the new correspondence saying, “We have a letter from Johan that states he will only have 21 and older in there now, so the partition per our ordinance is no longer an item for discussion to separate those (under 21) people.”

Vera’s new letter also stated that the bar would like to have live music, dancing, karaoke, DJs, bands, trivia, a mechanical bull, cornhole, dart competitions, and pool leagues. The mayor said items such as cornhole, dart competitions, and pool leagues are typically bar activities and don’t need a cabaret license. “Those others are the things you’d be allowed to do under the cabaret license and nothing else. If you think of something else, now would be the time to tell us.”

Vera added that he wanted to also add midget and arm wrestling, and it was thought those events were part of his original application. Lee was able to find his original request, with the council explaining that contests are considered entertainment.

Councilwoman Karla Kent asked, “Have you converted to 21 and over?” to which Vera said yes.

He also described some of the contests, such as DJs, trivia, and dancing, and the council quickly responded that there would be no strip-type dancing. When Councilman Paul Harmon asked, “Do you have plans to have extra security when you have these events?” Vera replied, “Yes, we have extra security on those nights. We’re checking at the door, we have metal detectors, and two more checking on the floor.”

The mayor cautioned Vera saying, “Contests can bring out the real competitor in people. Then you add in some alcohol, and you find out they don’t always mix.” He went on to say that competition can bring out the worst in someone. The map Vera submitted showed the bar capacity at less than 200, but Vera said he only has a capacity for about 150 people. The mayor said, “When you add competition and contests with alcohol with a whole lot of people, it’s the density that usually brings Fallon P.D. there, so we don’t want them to have to go there. That’s why Councilman Harmon asked about your own security.” The mayor also explained that other events held at the convention center have been required to have security as well, even those that were not competitions but still had alcohol involved. Vera told the council that the security men he uses have previously worked for a security business and are on-site Friday and Saturday nights too. In the end, his request for the cabaret was approved by the council, the mayor adding, “Good luck to you. Have fun out there. Don’t forget the PD. Call them when you get in trouble.” 

In other business, Fallon Station and Food Mart submitted a request for a retail liquor license that allows the sale of alcoholic beverages from a fixed and definite place for consumption off-premises only. This currently established business requested the new license to remove a partner’s name who is no longer involved, and that request was approved.

Fallon Police Caption Ron Wenger discussed his department’s monthly activity report for January 2023 which noted total calls were up from 596 in December to 669 in January, however, that January number was down when compared to the 794 calls received in January 2022. The crime summary was down from December to January with a reduction in larcenies from 16 to 10. The arrest summary included five felonies, four warrants, 1 parole and probation, and four misdemeanor warrant arrests. The report contained statistics for moving citations and traffic warnings, traffic accidents, and animal shelter services. Positive citizen survey results and police support for activities and special events were also included.

The Fallon City Council meets on the first and third Tuesday of each month in the Council Chambers at 9 a.m.