Juneau Council Discusses Demerit Point Ordinance

(Juneau) The Juneau Common Council Tuesday night held first reading on a demerit point ordinance. City officials have been working on the law after allegations arose of sex-trafficking at two Dodge County strip clubs – the Hardware Store in Clyman and the TNT Gentleman’s Club in Lebanon. The owner of the Hardware Store also owns the Solomon strip club in Juneau which was not named in the federal complaint. If approved, the ordinance would allow the municipality to revoke the liquor license of establishments that fail to follow the law.

For example, taverns could be assessed 150 points for not cooperating with police, having illegal controlled substances on premises, violating municipal or state laws or operating an adult entertainment business unless permitted by law. Eighty points could be assessed for selling alcohol to an underage patron, having minors on premises without parent or guardian and selling alcohol to an intoxicated person. Fifty points could be assessed exceeding posted capacity and failing to notify the police of a fight. Not having a licensed bartender on premises could result in a 40-point assessment.

An establishment that collects between 50 and 149 points in a rolling 12-month period could be warned of the consequences of additional violations. For demerits totaling between 150 and 199 points, a warning could be issued, or a liquor license could be suspected for between ten days and three months. Demerits in excess of 200 points could result in the license being suspended for between ten-to-90-days, or revocation.

Second reading of the ordinance and a vote is planned for next month.