PIMA — An item most boards and councils address pro forma turned into a 15 minute discussion and a postponement.
During last Tuesday’s regular meeting, the Pima Town Council delayed action on a request from the Speedway convenience store to update its liquor license from a Series 10, which allows the sale of beer and wine, to a Series 6, which allows for the sale of beer, wine and spirits.
Members of the public encouraged the council to vote against the request, questioning the types of patrons the change would attract, and whether the town’s youths would be impacted.
Meanwhile, council questioned why Speedway didn’t have a representative at the meetings, and whether Speedway needed the additional sales, since the Pima location appeared to be busy at almost all hours of the day.
However, Vice Mayor Sherrill Teeter wondered if rejecting the request would be the best look for the town.
“We have new prospects coming in, and do you think this will set a bad precedent for some of these new businesses that want to come in if we’re not allowing the growth of another business? That’s something we have to look at,” Teeter said.
The town’s attorney also advised the council it is not voting for approval or denial, only a recommendation for final action to be taken by the state’s liquor board. And if the council voted to recommend denial, a town representative should be at the liquor board meeting to explain its vote or the recommendation would likely be ignored.
The Town Council voted unanimously to postpone action to a special meeting June 19, and directed town staff to invite a representative from Speedway to the meeting to answer questions.
Increased liquor sales are part of upgrades planned for Speedway stores announced by its parent company, 7-11 Inc., last January. Other improvements planned are to add hot food cases and grow food service by 30 percent.
