All liquor license holders shall, as a condition of maintaining their license, adhere to any emergency closure or suspension order issued by the Liquor Commissioner in conformance with this section.
A. The Liquor Commissioner or the Liquor Commissioner’s authorized designee shall be authorized to temporarily suspend the sale of alcoholic beverages and/or require the temporary closure of any premises subject ot which a liquor license has been issued where, in his or her sole and absolute discretion, such action is necessary or advisable in order to: prevent the endangerment of public safety; secure the continuation of public peace or order; abate, prevent, or stop any imminent or actual public nuisance, criminal activity or riotous behavior; or otherwise prevent or respond to a threat to public safety or order.
B. The power to suspend the sale of alcohol or close licensed premises may be exercised by the Liquor Commissioner, the County Sheriff, or the acting County Sheriff in the absence of the County Sheriff. Any time any of these authorized individuals exercises the authority to issue a temporary suspension or closure order, any County employee may be utilized to circulate and disseminate the emergency order.
C. All Licensees shall adhere to a closure order that is received by the Licensee in any method of communication from the County, including but not limited to: a telephone call from the County; written notice provided via mail or personal delivery; verbal notice provided by any County employee providing proper proof of identification: radio, television, newspaper or other public communication medium, or any other form of emergency communication. A suspension/closure order may be issued County-wide, may be issued on a geographic basis (e.g., all licensed premises within a defined area of the County), or on a Licensee by Licensee basis. The County shall use reasonable efforts to make personal contact via telephone or via a visit to licensed premises by a County employee, to notify Licensees of an emergency suspension or closure. Within a reasonable time after the notification of emergency suspension or closure, the County shall use reasonable efforts to notify Licensees of the term or duration of the emergency suspension or closure order, if such term is not announced at the start of the order.
D. At any time that an emergency suspension order is in effect, it shall be unlawful and shall be a violation of the conditions of licensure for any persons licensed by the County, or their servants or agents, to sell, give away or permit to be distributed, served, or drawn, in or about the licensed premises any liquors or alcoholic beverages. At any time that an emergency closure order is in effect, it shall be unlawful and shall be a violation of the conditions of licensure for any licensed premises to remain open for business or to permit person other than the Licensee, owner of the premises, or employees or agents of either to remain within the premises. (Ord. 14-007, 4-8-2014)