Two other establishments – The Arena and Café Zola – had originally been on the list but had been removed by the time of the council meeting because they’d resolved their outstanding issues. They had all been on the list for potentially being recommended for non-renewal due to non-payment of personal property taxes.

The council’s Feb. 3 action also appointed Jane Lumm (Ward 2) as the hearing officer. Lumm serves on the council’s liquor license review committee, along with Mike Anglin (Ward 5) and Sumi Kailasapathy (Ward 1).

Lumm served as the hearing officer for this kind of proceeding in 2013 as well. Also on that occasion, Banfield’s Bar & Grill, Café Zola and The Arena were on the hearing list. However, by the time of the hearing, Café Zola had resolved its issue. And at the hearing itself, Banfield’s Bar & Grill made an arrangement to resolve its outstanding issue.

Only the hearing on The Arena ultimately resulted in a city council recommendation to the state liquor control commission not to renew a license. Subsequently, The Arena did pay its taxes, and the council withdrew its objection to a license renewal for The Arena.

This brief was filed from the city council’s chambers on the second floor of city hall, located at 301 E. Huron.