Council Has Intense Discussion
Monticello City Council members dispensed of several agenda items during Tuesday’s regular business meeting but one particular alcohol license renewal was met with lots of discussion.
The council, minus Larry Thurman, reviewed 13 applications for renewal of their alcohol, beer and wine license. Those appplications included Circle K, McMichael’s Package, Monticello Food Mart, Hide-A-Way Inc., Mars Market, Noor 2023 LLC, Ingles Markets, La Central Farmers Market LLC, Mesquite Mexican Grill and Bar, El Giro Mexican Restaurant, Blaque Butterfly at Reese Hall, Family Dollar, and Monticello Fuels LLC.
When the licenses renewal came up, council member Jenny Murphy asked the city clerk and city manager if all the applicants had their “ducks in the row” in terms of submitted paperwork. City Manager LaThaydra Sands responded yes.
Council member Murphy then motioned to approve them all when an audience member blurted out “no.” With no second to Mrs. Murphy’s motion, Mayor Pro Tem Doug Currie motioned to accept all alcohol, beer, wine licenses except for Blaque Butterfly at 421 east Greene Street.
Going into discussion of the matter, City Clerk Carnethia Pennamon explained that 421 East Greene Street has had a beer and wine license since 2015. In 2021, when it was a bed and breakfast owned by Judy Hunsucker, the owner applied for a conditional use permit so that the beer and wine license follow the property through different owners. The property is zoned residential, as it always has been. According to a city ordinance, only commercial entities can have a liquor license but are not barred from a beer and wine license. However, council had not followed that standard since the the location opened.
Mr. Currie said if the business is not zoned commercial then it should be denied even though the council had approved it before.
City Manager Sands said the beer and wine license should be approved, as it is legally in compliance. She said the liquor license was not included.
Mrs. Murphy then motioned to approve the Blaque Buterfly for beer and wine license only. With no second, the motion died.
Council member Tim Womack then motioned to table 421 East Greene application until the council’s December 31 called meeting. Mr. Currie seconded the motion and council voted 3-1 with council member Murphy casting the dissenting vote. The other 12 applicants were approved.
The vote came before Citizen Comments when several residents had commentary about that single beer and wine application.
Kim McDaniel, a resident in the neighborhood, spoke about one particular party at the event center that had loud music with vulgar language. She noted had the music stopped at 10 p.m. and the party ended around midnight. As the next door neighbor, Ms. McDaniel doesn’t want the establishment to have a beer and wine or liquor license.
Sarah Calies, an East Greene Street resident, said that problems came with the opening of Blaque Butterfly. She said it’s zoned residential and not allowed beer and wine license.
City Clerk Pennamon then clarified that the property in question has a conditional use permit, applied for by the previous owner, that allows the conditions to follow the property, not the owner.
Council member Murphy said that it sounded like the complaints were about the noise, not the alcohol use. She went to say that 911 reports could be reviewed but as far as she knew no citations and no driving under the influence had been connected directly to the facility.
Danna Kratovil, a resident in the neighborhood, said that her property was bought before the Blaque Butterfly opened. She said people were not aware of the variance.
In her plea to deny the license, she alleged “there is drug use and drug sales going on.” She also stated that parking is an issue and there is garbage on the street all the time.
“We do not want a business there,” said Mrs. Kratovil. She went on to say that the conditional use application had not been advertised properly.
City Manager Sands responded to that with the dates and times when the ads were published and the results from the public hearing with the vote.
Greg Kratovil, spoke about the differences between a liquor and beer & wine licenses.
Charlotte Crawley, an Eatonton Street resident, said she could hear the noise too. She said living there 50 years, she’s seen her share of changes and battles.
Walter Smith also shared comments during the citizens spotlight. He complimented the Christmas parade and asked if it could start an hour earlier in the future because it gets dark earlier.
He also said there were three lights out on the Square and asked the city to please fix the light. He noted the bump of Funderburg Street Drive when leaving the Square and asked that it be fixed as well.
Mr. Smith, a veteran, noted that on Veteran’s Day (November 11) no flags were flown on the Square and he was disappointed. He also noted that a former longtime city employee Keith Singletary was killed May 2022 in an accident. He asked that the city honor Mr. Singletary in some manner.
Craig Lashley spoke to the speed limits in the city, particularly near his business on West Washington Street.
In other city business, the council approved the 2025 holiday calendar which includes 14 days. One of which was new to include a half day on Thanksgiving Eve. The topic was met with some discussion, as all members were not in agreeance on the added holiday.
Mr. Currie suggested a floating holiday between Thanksgiving and Christmas. Mr. Womack suggested giving employees the half day on Thanksgiving Eve. When the vote was called for it was 2-2 with Mayor DeAshley Thurman casting the deciding vote for the extra holiday with Council members Womack and Murphy.
Council voted to change the traffic lights at intersections to red flashing lights for a 30 day trial period with Dept. of Transportation approval.
Other approvals included:
•Red Clay Ramble Bike Race
•City of Civility renewal
•Revolving loan fund committee appointments of Tracey Nelson, Sam Kelly, Wanda Cummings, Bobbie Jean Ozburn, and Cyndi Johns.
•Falcon Design code and compliance
•Historic Preservation District survey
•Gas capital outlay account approval
Action was tabled Hwy. 83 North water main replacement, city hall security, and the Short Street lease.
