The Seattle Nightlife and Music Association (SNMA) is a coalition of music, night club, and bar interests formed to educate elected officials, civic and community leaders, and the media on the serious issues facing the music and nightlife industry in Seattle.

• Provide our customers a safe and vibrant nightlife.
• Protect music venue, bar, and club owner's rights.
• Respond to proposals which impact our industry.
• Support our local communities.
• Promote responsible music venue, bar, and club management.

Mayor Names Problem Clubs – uses erroneous data
Mayor’s Nickels continued his all out assault for a new nightclub license this week when he released a list of the most “problematic” clubs on Tuesday. The list, compiled from the city’s still untested LiquorStat database purports that several clubs in the downtown core have dozens of liquor violations. However, the Mayor’s data is disputed by the Washington State Liquor Control Board who have chided the city for using it. The SeattleP-I and The Seattle Times have stories here http://seattlepi.nwsource.com/local/324 ... ife18.html and here http://archives.seattletimes.nwsource.c ... nightclubs.

New Proposal from Clark could be voted on next week – details still unknown
City Councilmember Sally Clark, who’s Economic Development and Neighborhoods Committee (EDN) has been reviewing the Mayor’s Nightlife License proposal for over six months has stated she hopes her committee will begin voting on a package of new nightlife regulations at her July 27th committee meeting. While broad outlines of a new package have been released, no details of the actual legislation have yet been made public. It is unclear whether Clark will continue to push for the mayor’s licensing proposal, but the Mayor’s office and community activists continue to push for it’s inclusion and have mounted an aggressive public relations effort as they attempt to move their licensing agenda forward.

Here is a link (http://seattlenma.org/downloads/Nightli ... 070507.pdf) to the briefing memo that was released at the last EDN meeting, which gives you a flavor of what new regulations the council is considering. Key elements of the package appear to include significant changes to the existing noise code; creation of a nightlife advisory board with limited authority; safety plan requirements; increased enforcement and regulatory staff; and granting enhanced authority to the Seattle Police Chief and City Attorney under the city’s nuisance laws. In addition, the package requests the Mayor study and propose even more nightlife regulations.

SeattleNMA has stated we support the creation of a Nightlife Commission with responsibility for monitoring nightlife issues and providing early intervention assistance to preventing nightlife problems. A balanced board consisting of neighborhood interests, nightlife representatives, law enforcement and other key stakeholders could respond to citizen complaints and work with neighborhoods and nightlife businesses.

SeattleNMA continues to strongly advocate for more police to patrol the city’s nightlife districts. More police at night in the right areas is the most effective way to deal with rowdy behavior and prevent violent incidents on the streets. In addition, nightlife business need to be able to contract for off duty police, particularly if they are to be subject to new security plan requirements.

Any new or additional regulations should be worked in collaboration with the new Nightlife Commission so that all stakeholders have a voice in the process. We strongly support forming the board now so these other issues can be worked.

The next meeting of the council committee will be Friday July 27, 9:30 AM, second floor City Council Chambers. We anticipate being able to provide you any proposed legislation prior to that meeting so you will be able to let the councilmember know what you think.


Time to renew SeattleNMA memberships – many accomplishments, but nightlife still under siege
SeattleNMA has been working hard for the last year to represent the nightlife industry interests to the City and the State. When we formed in July of last year, the Mayor was ready to steamroll through the city council the most onerous set of nightlife regulations in the country. Backed by the police and well organized neighborhood coalitions, our industry was under heavy assault. Because we were able to form quickly, we soon were able to establish ourselves as a key player in the process and have effectively killed the mayor’s package and are actively working with the city council on a more reasonable approach.

At the state level we were successful in providing relief to over 200 nightclubs in Washington state by giving them additional time to install new sprinkler systems. While we were not able to obtain the tax credits we were seeking, we did get fair hearings and requests to come back and try again the next session. If it wasn’t for SeattleNMA the sprinkler relieve bill would never have happened.

SeattleNMA also successfully led the charge to kill a Washington State Liquor Board proposal to ban all ages shows. This proposal was a major concern of the local music community. If it were not for our intervention, this proposal would have moved forward.

SeattleNMA is membership funded organization. Dues are based on your business size and are extremely affordable. We need you to renew you membership, or for those who have yet to pay dues, to send in a check today so we can continue our efforts to protect Seattle’s nightlife.

SeattleNMA wants to ensure that whatever legislation is passed by the city is implemented fairly. SeattleNMA wants to continue to work with the WSLCB to modernized our state liquor laws. SeattleNMA wants to expand the number of businesses involved and develop a set of member services that can help your business make or save money.

To help us achieve this, please renew you membership today. Membership forms can be downloaded at http://www.seattlenma.org/SMNA_membership_form.pdf.
permalink  |  related link  |   Last Monday’s packed hearing on the Mayor’s Nightlife proposal seems to have gotten the attention of a few councilmembers, causing them to slow down the process and consider significant modifications to the proposal unveiled by Councilmember Clark the previous week. Prior to Monday’s hearing, the committee was scheduled to release an actual legislative package last Thursday and was planning on taking final action on June 21. However, we were informed at Thursday’s committee meeting that other councilmembers were beginning to become more engaged on the issue, and more time is needed to work on the details.

SeattleNMA has consistently said we don’t need a new license. Rather let’s better enforce existing laws (noise, litter), create a Nightlife Commission, and provide more police resources to the entertainment districts of the city on weekend nights. Hopefully a majority of the Council will consider this approach.
permalink  |  related link  |   Thanks to everyone who showed up Monday at the City Council hearing on the Mayor's nightlife legislation. We had a great turnout and there were many thoughtful comments directed at the City Council. The testimony from our industry has already had an impact on the direction of the legislation, with Councilmember Clark indicating she believes the 50-foot rule should be dropped. Check out her blog at: http://www.seattle.gov/council/clark/blog/ for her reflections on Monday's hearing.

If you'd like to watch the video of Monday's City Council hearing on the nightlife legislation, click here to go to the Seattle Channel's website (http://www.seattlechannel.org/videos/vi ... ID=2180712).

Things are moving very quickly right now with regards to this legislation. Please continue to monitor this issue closely. We will continue to provide updates here on the website as well as via email and hope you will continue to track this issue carefully. This is a critical time and we need your help to ensure sucess!

permalink  |  related link  |   Yesterday City Councilmember’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 councilmembers are proposing a series of actions that if, taken together, would be far 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 Councilmember 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 Councilmembers 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 2ndfloor of City Hall, located at 600 - 4th Ave. downtown.

Below are the emails to the councilmembers:

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.

permalink  |  related link  |   The City Council’s Economic Development and Neighborhoods Committee met last week to again review the Mayor’s Nightlife Premises Ordinance. While the focus of the briefing was on zoning issues related to “drinking establishments” in the NC zones, there were a few encouraging surprises. Councilmember Jan Drago, a long supporter of Seattle nightlife, shared with the committee her views on the Mayor’s proposal. First, she does not believe a new regulatory license is the best approach to deal with issues of concern raised by residents. Rather, she stated amending and better enforcing current noise and nuisance laws would be a more effective approach. She is also advocating establishment a civil noise enforcement unit which would be on the streets at the time they are most needed to enforce the noise ordinance. While we have yet to see the details of her proposals – and there could be significant issues of concern - we are nonetheless encouraged that the council appears to be moving in a much different direction than what the Mayor proposed. As soon as the amendments are made available for circulation we will post them.

Key dates for Council review – Please add to your schedules!

May 17, 6 PM - Economic Development and Neighborhoods Committee meeting to review proposed amendments. Location to be determined.

June 4 6PM - Public Hearing on Mayor’s proposed ordinance and council amendments. Council Chambers. We need a HUGE turnout for this meeting.

June 7 9:30 AM - Economic Development and Neighborhoods Committee. Review and possible vote on amendments.
permalink  |  related link  |   SeattleNMA briefed the City Council’s Economic Development and Neighborhoods Committee last Thursday on our position regarding the Mayor’s proposal and provided alternative approaches to deal with public safety, noise and litter issues. Our message is the city should do a better job of enforcing existing laws, and provide additional police officers in the entertainment districts on weekend nights. Our full presentation can be viewed here at http://seattlenma.org/downloads/SNMA_powerpoint.

This Friday, the 13th, the committee will meet again to continue to review the legislation. This time representatives from the Washington State Liquor Control Board, the City Attorney’s Office, Seattle Police, Department of Planning and Development and citizen representatives will be presenting. The agenda for the meeting can be viewed here at http://www.seattle.gov/leg/econo.htm. In addition, the Chair will present a short video showing street activity around three bars at the 2 AM push. Public comment will again be taken at the meeting and anyone who can attend is encouraged to testify. Also, if you haven’t yet, please email or call the city council members expressing your opposition to this outrageous proposal.

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.
permalink  |  related link  |   Important Update! SeattleNMA General Membership Meeting rescheduled to April 17th. Please join us on the 17th at 2:00 p.m. for more information on SeattleNMA, the Mayor's proposed nightlife ordinance, SeattleNMA's upcoming city-wide promotion, and other important issues that effect the nightlife community.

Tuesday, April 17th – 2:00 PM
The Ballroom
456 North 36th Street
Fremont

Agenda:
Introductions
Update on Mayor's Nightlife Premises Ordinance
State Legislative Update
"The Night the Music Died" promotion
permalink  |  related link  |   Seattle City Councilmember Sally Clark’s Economic Development and Neighborhoods Committee has scheduled another briefing of the Mayor’s proposal for this Thursday, March 15 at 6 PM at the Miller Park Community Center, 330 19th Avenue East. Public comment will be taken a the beginning of the meeting. Later, council staff will give a broad overview of the proposed legislation, detail existing statutes regulating nightlife premises and discuss what other cities do to regulate nighttime establishements.

This link http://www.seattle.gov/leg/econo.htm takes you to the committee’s agenda for the meeting and this link http://www.seattle.gov/council/clark/ takes you to Councilmember Clark’s home page which has a link to the committee’s proposed review schedule of the ordinance. The schedule includes a presentation by SeattleNMA on April 5, and the City Attorney and Liquor Control Board on April 13. After the committee will determine to move forward with the legislation, offer amendments or take some other course of action.

We strongly encourage you to continue to track this issue closely, attend whatever meetings you can and offer testimony.

The full ordinance can be found at: http://seattlenma.org/downloads/nightli ... inance.pdf. SeattleNMA's letter to Council President Nick Licata can be found at: http://seattlenma.org/downloads/SNMA_Licata_Letter.pdf and SeattleNMA's analysis of the legsilation here: http://seattlenma.org/downloads/SNMA_Or ... alysis.pdf.
permalink  |  related link  |   Sprinkler Bill House Bill 1811, which extends the mandatory deadline for installation of sprinkler systems in night clubs passed the State House of Representatives on Saturday, March 10. It has now been referred to the Senate’s Commerce and Labor Committee for consideration. We continue to aggressively work this bill on behalf of our members and will continue to keep you posted.
permalink  |  related link  |   Senate Bill 5859 http://www.leg.wa.gov/pub/billinfo/2007 ... 9-S2.E.pdf which would have created a new wine, spirits, beer and nightlife premises license passed the Senate last night, however, the bill has been substantially rewritten and no longer provides for the creation of such a new license. Rather it appears it was heavily amended by microbrewer and hotel interests. We have calls into staff to get a full briefing on the affects of the bill and will provide updates as we learn. At this point we do not know, what, if any, impacts this bill will have on our industry. One interesting item of note, Senator Jacobsen offered an amendment to the bill to allow dogs in bars, the amendment was ruled out of order.
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