Nickels names problem clubs

But council doesn't seem to back his plan for new license

By ANGELA GALLOWAY
P-I REPORTER

Hoping to build support for his proposal to impose new rules on Seattle clubs and bars, Mayor Greg Nickels released a list Tuesday of some venues most often connected with criminal and liquor problems.

The City Council is considering Nickels' proposal to require between 200 and 300 bars to obtain special licenses and meet rules regarding violence, noise, litter and general operations.

The tally Nickels' office sent the council and reporters Tuesday was drawn from a city database called LiquorStat that tracks police reports, liquor law violations and other reported incidents in or near clubs.

"We consider LiquorStat to be an early warning system," said Marianne Bichsel, Nickels' spokeswoman. Given the council's deliberations, "we think this is part of the complete picture to understand what's happening out there."

The fate of Nickels' proposal is unclear. It is tentatively scheduled for a discussion late next week before the Economic Development and Neighborhoods Committee.

Councilwoman Sally Clark, who chairs that committee, initially opposed the broad approach of Nickels' proposal. Later, she put the licensure plan back on the table. Recently, however, she said a majority of the council does not appear to support a new license.

That hasn't changed, Clark said Tuesday. A proposal in the works would likely include bolstering existing laws against excessive noise and public nuisances, as well as a requirement that bars and clubs develop "safety plans." But no license.

"There is some increasing talk about licensing in the wake of things that have happened recently," Clark said, referring to lobbying by neighborhood groups since a recent non-fatal shooting outside a club. "But I don't have the sense that there is a new proposal on the floor."

But don't yet count out a revival of some sort of license requirement, said Council President Nick Licata. Licata believes some council members have held "backdoor conversations" with Nickels' office. Indeed, Licata has privately talked to the Mayor's Office about the matter.

"We share (Nickels') concerns and I think actually we will be coming out with something that will be a good compromise," Licata said.

Tuesday marked the second time in less than two weeks that Nickels' office has released a list of bars often associated with troubles according to LiquorStat.

"It's being used to politicize a policy issue and we've suggested they need to have further review of their database," said Tim Hatley, a lobbyist for a nightlife industry organization. "We don't have a problem with them collecting the data. ... It's then how it's processed and used (that's a concern.)"

Earlier this month, the mayor's office gave a list of the "Five Most Violent Nightclubs in Seattle" to reporters during a late-night publicity event Nickels held in Pioneer Square.

Criminal incidents in the database range from disturbance complaints to assault allegations. Liquor law problems span from advertising violations to serving drunken or underage customers.

The summation released Tuesday includes police reports near or in clubs whether or not charges are filed. It doesn't factor for severity. Nor does it distinguish when it's the clubs calling police -- as the city asks them to do.