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.

The Washington State Liquor Control Board (WSCLB) intends to seek approval from the State Legislature of this new bill that would require a “nightclub” to obtain a special license from the state. You can find the legislation by visiting www.seattlenma.org/downloads/WSLCB_proposed_legislation.pdf. While SeattleNMA is just beginning our review of this legislation, there are a number of concerns, which we have identified:

The definition of a “nightclub”. The bill proposes a definition which would require any business “operated primarily for the purpose of providing alcohol and has any (one) of the following characteristics:” live entertainment, primary business hours between 10pm and 2am, operates 5 days a week or less, cover charge, or menus not offered to customers when beverages are ordered. This new definition will likely capture most every establishment serving alcohol open until 2 AM.

Potential restrictions/conditions placed on nightclubs. A major concern of this legislation is that any business defined as a nightclub could not allow persons under 21 on their premises, thereby eliminating all-ages shows at places that serve alcohol. It could also prevent restaurants that have live entertainment in the evenings from serving families lunch and dinner. In addition, this bill would allow WSLCB along with local law enforcement to establish conditions on a nightclub’s operations. These conditions would likely include mandatory security requirements and conditions currently identified in many of the city’s good neighbor agreements.

This bill is the result of the WSCLB’s Density Task Force, charged with addressing issues related to the statewide cap on the total number of licensed establishment, which was set by a statewide initiative in 1949. Essentially this proposed bill would remove the cap on the total number of licenses, provided that this new nightclub license is imposed by July of 2008. The Seattle City Attorney’s Office and the Mayor’s office have been intimately involved in developing this legislation. To date, no bars or nightclubs have been involved any of these discussions. WSLCB has expressed an interest in meeting with club owners to better understand the industry.

Please contact you legislator and the WSLCB to express you opinion about this legislation. We will need to mount an aggressive campaign to fight this bill. You can find your legislators at http://apps.leg.wa.gov/DistrictFinder/Default.aspx.Please cc rachel@seattlenma.org on your emails to your elected officials so that we can have a central place for these correspondence.

We will continue to update the website frequently with additional information. Please frequent www.seattlenma.org for more information.
permalink  |  related link  |   The Washington State Liquor Control Board is proposing the creation of a new Nightclub License. This is in addition to what the mayor is proposing and would require applicants to develop an operating plan for their establishments. SeattleNMA has yet to receive a copy of the proposed legislation, though we did receive the issue paper that was distributed at the last meeting of the WSLCB Density Task Force. That paper is attached here for your review.

WSLCB will be holding a public meeting on Wednesday, December 20 starting at 2:30 where the work of the density task force, along with the details for the proposed Nightclub License will be discussed. The meeting will be held at the Liquor Board Distribution Center boardroom located at 4401 E. Marginal Way in Seattle. The Density Workgroup recommendations will be heard from 3:30 to 4:30. We encourage you to attend this meeting.

Once SeattleNMA receives the proposed legislation we will send it out to everyone and post it on the website.
permalink  |  related link  |   Rep. Geoff Simpson convened an ad-hoc task force meeting regarding potential modifications to state night club sprinkler requirements. Representatives from the State Fire Marshall’s office, Building Codes, the sprinkler industry, Washington Restaurant Association (WRA) and, SeattleNMA participated. While it was clear that the legislature is not willing to consider the elimination of the requirement, there did seem to be a willingness to consider modifications to the statute in order to reduce the burden on businesses who will be required to install these new systems.

SeattleNMA suggested clubs who must install these systems be provided with a credit to establishments' B&O tax, state sales tax, or admission’s tax. Most task force members where very surprised by the costs charged by local jurisdictions for water connection services. We also requested that local jurisdictions be given discretion for applying the sprinkler requirements.

We anticipate a draft proposal within the next several weeks and will forward it along once it is received.
permalink  |  related link  |   The next membership meeting of SeattleNMA will be held on Thursday, December 7th at 3:00 p.m. It will be held at Ohana, located at 2201 – 1st Ave. in Belltown. This is an opportunity for you to receive a thorough briefing on the mayor’s ordinance and participate in planning the strategy for the next few months. Please plan to attend this meeting.
permalink  |  related link  |   Many have requested talking points regarding the Mayor's Nightlife Premises License Ordinance. We have posted those here at http://www.seattlenma.org/downloads/SNM ... Points.pdf

The full text of the ordinance and related materials produced by the City can be found at the following links:
Nightlife Premises Ordinance: http://www.seattlenma.org/downloads/nig ... inance.pdf
Mayor's Press Release: http://www.seattlenma.org/downloads/nic ... elease.pdf
Mayor's Fact Sheet: http://www.seattlenma.org/downloads/nic ... tsheet.pdf
permalink  |  related link  |   The State of Washington has established a task force to review the recently adopted state sprinkler requirements. The goal of the task force is to recommend modifications to the existing law for consideration by the state legislature when they convene in January. Amongst issues due to be considered will be clarification of what establishments are affected, extension of the implementation date, and potential financial relief for club owners impacted by the law. SeattleNMA has been asked to participate in the task force. Their first meeting is slated for the week of December 10th. We will keep you informed of the work of the task force.

We would like to thank State Representative Eric Pettigrew (D-37th district) for making sure that SeattleNMA was included on the task force and his support of our issues. The highest concentration in the state for clubs impacted by this law in 43rd Legislative District (Capitol Hill, Freemont, Wallingford and parts of Downtown), which is represented by the Speaker of the House Frank Chopp. Please make sure you email/call/ or write your legislator asking for their support of our efforts on this issue. To find out who represents you visit http://apps.leg.wa.gov/districtfinder/.

Finally, many of you have requested additional information about the sprinkler issue. The City of Seattle’s Fire Marshall has an excellent website with a plethora of information that may be useful to you. This information can be found at:http://www.seattle.gov/fire/FMO/firecod ... ] http://www.seattle.gov/fire/FMO/firecod ... klers.htm. [/url]

permalink  |  related link  |   Today Mayor Nickels held a press conference announcing the transmittal of the nightclub ordinance to the City Council. Copies of the Mayor's press release, fact sheet and final ordinance can be found here by clicking on the links.

SeattleNMA has not yet reviewed the final proposed ordinance but once we do, we will share with you our analysis of the legislation.

With the mayor's transmittal of the ordinance the City Council now takes over. The City Council needs to hear from you regarding the proposed legislation. Please contact the city council today. Neighborhood activists will certainly be vocal on their thoughts on the legislation - club owners must do the same! Email and call the members of the council, and share this information with other club owners and nightlife fans and encourage them to also contact the council. Contact information for the city council can be found at: http://seattle.gov/html/feedback.htm.

Your involvement is key to the final outcome of this legislation. Please contact rachel@seattlenma.org for more information about what you can do to work on behalf of the nightlife industry in Seattle.


permalink  |  related link  |   Thanks to everyone who attended Tuesday's legislative reception. The event was a success and a good step in educating elected officials in the area on the important issues facing our industry.

Below is SeattleNMA's 2007 legislative agenda. We hope you will share this with your elected leaders at the state and city level. Remember, direct contact from you as a constituent and business owner is the best way to communicate with your representatives.

To find your legislators, visit http://apps.leg.wa.gov/DistrictFinder/Default.aspx. Contacts for the City Council can be found at http://seattle.gov/html/feedback.htm. Please contact these individuals and let them know what you think about these critical issues.

SeattleNMA 2007 Washington State Legislative Agenda

Extending the date for compliance of new state regulations requiring nightclubs to install sprinkler systems by December 2007. A state law passed in 2005 requires all nightclubs to have a sprinkler system. However, there are a number of challenges to clubs being able to meet that deadline:

Limited number of certified contractors who can install the systems.

Significant time constraints on the ability to hire architects, design the systems, receive bids and obtain necessary permits within the short time frame. Many clubs in the state were just recently notified of the new requirement.

The costs to install these systems range from $25,000 to $100,000 or more. Some clubs will not be able to afford to pay for these systems and will no longer offer live music.

Some type of tax break or financing assistance may help some of these music venues survive.

Updating state liquor laws to modernize the nightlife industry and be more reflective of current consumer trends.

Provide extended hours of service on weekends. This would reduce the impact to neighborhoods at closing time when all the bars, taverns and nightclubs patrons are leaving at once.

Allow pitcher and bottle table service. This service is available in most other states.

Increased funding for the Washington State Liquor Control Board for enhanced customer services and oversight.

Elimination of the 25-foot rule associated with the statewide indoor smoking ban. Bars, taverns and nightclubs can better manage patrons if they are closer to the establishment. Increased residential complaints have increased as patrons are stepping further away from club entrances and closer to condos and apartments.

SeattleNMA 2007 City of Seattle Legislative Agenda

Additional police officers and patrols for the entertainment zones of the city.

Development of a balanced comprehensive nightlife plan to ensure harmony between neighborhoods and nightlife establishments.

Provide clubs who charge cover the alternative for a “flat fee” payment as an alternative to the current admission tax surcharge.

Download SeattleNMA's Legislative Agenda
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Reminder - SeattleNMA Legislative Reception is Tomorrow! 

Monday, November 13, 2006, 02:47 PM

Don't forget to attend tomorrow's legislative reception sponsored by SeattleNMA. We're expecting many elected and officials from state and local governments and hope you will attend as well. This is a chance to meet directly with policy makers who affect our industry. Please plan to attend!

SeattleNMA Legislative Reception
Tuesday, November 14
5:00-7:00 p.m.
Amber
2214 - 1st Ave
in Seattle's Belltown neighborhood.

If you haven't already done so, please RSVP to rachel@seattlenma.org
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Mayor's Proposed Ordinance & Task Force Meeting 

Thursday, November 2, 2006, 04:18 PM

The Mayor’s Nightlife Task Force met for the final time on Monday to review the Mayor’s latest proposal regulating bars, nightclubs and taverns. We have posted the ordinance on the website below and strongly encourage you to read as it could have a significant impact on your business.

The draft ordinance creates a “Nightlife Premises Advisory Board” consisting of business owners and residents and requires “Nightlife Premises” to obtain licenses, receive approval of their operating plans, and adhere to strict operating requirements. Violations of these standards can result in the business being shut down. A “Nightlife Premises” is defined as any establishment which serves alcohol after 10 PM, is larger than 500 square feet, and has an occupancy load of one person per seven feet of space. So, if you have 1000 square feet of space, and you have an occupancy capacity of 143 or more, (1000 divided by 7), you would be required to obtain a license. To apply for the license, you would be required to fill out a complicated questionnaire outlining your operational plan which then must be approved by the city. The city could deny you a license. Once you obtain a license ($350 per year), you must abide by a set of strict operational standards. Violations of these standards can result in revocation of your license.

We have a number of concerns regarding this proposal including – lack of authority for the Advisory Board, no increase in public safety officers, and lack of approaching nightlife issues in a wholistic and comprehensive fashion. The city even indicated that they will continue to use good neighbor agreements to control bars and taverns.

Despite these repeated concerns it appears the Mayor’s office is intent on forwarding this ordinance to the city council. The city council is expected to begin consideration of this issue early next year.

We need your help. We encourage you to read the ordinance. We need you to attend our November 14 legislative reception at Amber. And we need you to make sure you have paid your SeattleNMA membership dues – www.SeattleNMA.org -- so we can continue to work on this and other issues facing nightclubs, bars and taverns.
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