During its closed session discussion on June 15 the Hollister City Council approved an emergency ordinance that requires all businesses in the event area of the Hollister Motorcycle Rally to stop alcohol sales at midnight during the event.
While Hollister Police Chief David Westrick and city officials say that the temporary measure will help first responders keep the annual event safe, Chariysse Tyson, owner of Johnny’s Bar and Grill in Downtown Hollister, says that the new policy may cost her business thousands of dollars.
On the recommendation of City Attorney, Brad Sullivan, the emergency ordinance was discussed and passed during the council’s closed session proceedings because the item directly related to public safety. This meant that while the emergency ordinance was listed on the council’s agenda, the public did not have an opportunity to comment during the official discussion. City officials said they did speak privately to several local business owners affected about the ordinance, including Tyson, before their June 15 meeting.
The idea for the emergency ordinance, officially known as Urgency Ordinance 1119, was brought to the council by Westrick after he investigated safety policies enforced at other motorcycle rallies.
“We wanted to see if we could do something to decrease violent acts late at night,” Westrick said, as well as lower the number of DUI citations issued. In meeting both of these goals, “Those couple of hours makes a big difference…violence increases in those hours.”
As police chief, Westrick said he had the authority to unilaterally shut down alcohol sales early without making a request of the city council but brought it before the city anyway so that the public could be represented in the decision.
Westrick added that he was sympathetic to business owners who might feel a negative economic impact.
“I understand those [businesses] that aren’t [supportive of the new ordinance],” Westrick said, “I get it. I really do.” At the end of the day however, Westrick said he would like to see everyone leave safely.
“I do appreciate their [businesses] willingness to help us have a safe rally,” agreed Hollister City Manager William Avera, adding that with the new ordinance the city hoped to “mitigate any threats to public safety.”
Avera said he walked downtown to speak to as many business owners as he could before the council voted on the ordinance. He estimates that approximately nine business are impacted by the ordinance. Avera said he was able to speak with six of the owners, most of whom indicated they hadn’t planned to stay open past midnight in any case.
The Hollister City Council passed the measure with affirmative votes from all council members except Mayor Ignacio Velazquez, who chose to abstain due to his ownership of The Vault in the downtown area.
Mayor Pro Tempore Raymond Friend, representing District 1, said he agreed to support the Chief’s request because “He is the professional and his recommendation is that it would help him control the situation.”
Friend said he agreed with the chief that, “A bad incident is going to ruin it for everyone.”
Tyson, owner of Johnny’s Bar and Grill in Downtown Hollister, said that while she continues to respect the local police chief, she is “disappointed” in the ordinance that she estimates will cost her business thousands of dollars in revenue over the four hours she is prohibited from selling alcohol. The new policy impacts her staff as well, Tyson said, explaining that some hours from the latest shift in her business had to be cut as a result.
While the policy does cut into her financial bottom line, Tyson said she also “cares about people” and the experience they have at the annual rally.
According to Tyson, the majority of the patrons during the hours in question are typically local residents who have worked at the rally and want to enjoy a drink after a long day. Visitors to the rally may not look favorably upon the earlier last call either Tyson said, especially if they have traveled long distances to enjoy the festivities.
This isn’t a good impression to leave visitors with, Tyson added, particularly if the community wants to build the rally year after year.
While the fact that the ordinance was discussed in close session did bother her, Tyson said she did opportunity to talk to city staff as well as the chief directly about her concerns. She followed up with emails to the council members before they took a vote on June 15.
Despite the curveball, Tyson said “I still love the chief. I respect him a lot. Without him we wouldn’t have a rally.”