BY SARAH STEPHENS
ELMORE/AUTAUGA NEWS
Top Photo: Still shot from video of Prattville City Council meeting Aug. 17 with Attorney Jim DeBardalaben addressing the council members.
A public hearing concerning the liquor license for the Blue Iguana bar/Bama Lanes Bowling Alley in Prattville will be held Sept. 7 prior to the regular city council meeting.
At a recent Police Committee meeting, Prattville Police Chief Mark Thompson referenced what he calls ongoing issues that has required hundreds of calls to the establishment, including shots fired, domestic violence and assaults. On Aug. 6 an argument in the parking lot led to one family member shooting another, and the victim in critical condition at a Montgomery hospital.
Officials stressed that Bama Lanes is not normally the source of calls, but rather the Blue Iguana side of the business. However, if the shared liquor license is pulled, it will impact both businesses. Officials have said an option it to take the license, but allow Bama Lanes to reapply as an individual business.
Chief Thompson said he isn’t just after a liquor license, but that he would like to see the bar shut down.
The public will be allowed to offer input on whether or not the council should pull the liquor license. Aside from sharing one license, the buildings are attached, with a doorway connecting them. The property is owned by Steve Landers. A suggestion during a recent Police Committee meeting was to separate the licenses, and close off the connecting doorway.
Within the resolution discussed Tuesday, it reads that the city has authorized the city council to revoke or suspend a business license when any licensee, agent, servant or employee of a business violates any ordinance of the City or any statute of the stare. This includes violating, or knowingly permit any ordinance of the City or statue of the State to be violated.
“Bama Lanes Prattville, LLC d/b/a Blue Iguana Bar has had numerous incidents, which include but are not limited to, shootings on July 17, 2021 and August 6, 2021 that created a nuisance or circumstances that were detrimental to the public health, safety and welfare of patrons of the business, innocent citizens, residential areas and law enforcement,” it reads.
Through the resolution, the business licensee of Bama Lanes and Blue Iguana is ordered to appear before the City Council at 6 p.m. Sept. 7 at City Hall. The 10-day notice required will be provided by certified mail.
Attorney Jim DeBardalaben was joined by owner Steve Landers at the meeting Tuesday. He told the council that the majority of issues have taken place in the parking lot, not in the walls of the bar.
Jim Debardalaben “We would like to address this. I know you are in a difficult situation. Mr. Sanders is in a difficult situation. He has approximately $4 million invested in this business that y’all are considering a resolution to take his license. He employs around 35 people with an annual payroll of $900,000 to $1 million and I think that is substantial. He has paid the city through July of this year over $51,000 in taxes. He paid the county over $24,000. He has a substantial investment.”
DeBardaleben said he has viewed the film of the shooting incident that occurred on Aug. 6 where a brother shot his brother, leaving the victim in critical condition.
“It appears the car drove into the parking lot with two people. I understand they are brothers. They got out and started a fight. And one of them shot his brother. That is a concern for (Steve Landers.) He does not want that in his business. Mr. Landers has contacted the police department prior to this. He would like to have off duty policemen (in the parking lot.)”
Debardalaben asked the council to reconsider attempting to take the license.
“If there is a public hearing we will be there. But we would like an opportunity before it goes there to work with the city council and the police department to see what we can do. I think it would be in all of our best interest to find a solution.” DeBardalaben said Sanders would like to continue in business, as well as his employees. He said he is certain that members of the council like the income generated by the business.
“We are available to meet with you and see what we can work out before we go to this other issue. I know a little bit about ABC (Alcohol Beverage Control). I was the attorney there for a good while. I know some of the problems you face and (Sanders) is willing to work with you. We have to communicate.”
Martha Walker, an employee of the Blue Iguana, also addressed the council.
“I’ve worked with the Blue Iguana for 17 years. We can’t decide who comes in that parking lot any more than you can keep the bad element out of Prattville. You are talking about trying to shut us down and put all of us out of work. It is not our fault. We have had three different people call trying to get some help in our parking lot, which is where most of the trouble happens. These people get drunk and act stupid, and we can’t control that either. Most of the time the people don’t even live here. We can’t pick and choose who we let in because we would be racist.”
The City of Prattville has a standing policy that off-duty officers cannot work events or other areas that involve alcohol being served.
