Las Vegas City Commission Minutes, December 8, 1959 to February 17, 1960, lvc000012-37

Mr. James A. Brennan, Attorney, informed the Commission that since the last meeting his client, Robert D. Lawrence, had gone to Texas and taken care of four outstanding warrants by paying fines; that it took only one day to accomplish this and Mr. Lawrence left for San Diego the following day. He stated the fact that it took Mr. Lawrence only one day to take care of these outstanding warrants was a good indication of what Texas thought of its own laws and how serious these charges were. He reminded the Commission that he previously pointed out the significance of these charges, as illustrated by Look Magazine. Mr. Brennan stated the very actions his client was arrested for in Texas were now legal in Texas. Mr. Brennan informed the Commission that Mr. Lawrence had previously operated in Las Vegas, under local laws, for sometime; that he had operated the Bar of Music on the Strip and, during this time, Mr. Lawrence's record was 100% clean. It was necessary for Mr. Lawrence to go to Texas because he had substantial investments there and had to protect them; however, he did not operate a dive or anything of that nature in Texas, but had some fine entertainment, such as the Treniers and Johnnie Mathis, and, as a matter of fact, conducted such a fine establishment that it caused the other Clubs to suffer. It was Mr. Brennan's thought that although there were approximately 12 or 14 violations, it was indicative of the seriousness of these charges that on the 12th or 14th violation the fine was the same as on the first violation. He stated if a person were picked up in Las Vegas 12 or 14 times, he would be fined the maximum of $500.00 and spend six months in jail. Commissioner Fountain inquired if Mr. Lawrence went back and cleared up 4 warrants in two days by posting and forfeiting a bond. Mr. Brennan stated Mr. Lawrence had done this previously but since the last Commission meeting Mr. Lawrence had spent one day in Texas and cleared up 4 warrants by paying a nominal fine on each one. Mayor Gragson stated this was done on outstanding warrants, but Mr. Lawrence had previously posted bail on those warrants. Commissioner Fountain inquired if Mr. Lawrence was a paid employee at Peyton Place. Mr. Brennan replied in the affirmative and continued by stating that in Texas they elect a wet Sheriff to keep the people down there happy. He stated he did not think Las Vegas should give any more recognition to Texas Blue Sky Laws than is given to New England Blue Sky Laws; that it was ridiculous to have to operate under such laws; further, he couldn't see the laws his client violated in Texas were more serious than someone engaging in gambling outside the State of Nevada, except in the latter instance the person was more or less lucky and did not get caught. It was Mr. Brennan's opinion that the ambiguity of the Texas laws should be taken into consideration. He requested the Commission to disregard Mr. Lawrence's actions in Texas, which covered a small portion of his client's lifetime, and, instead, consider his past and present history while in Las Vegas. Mr. Brennan pointed out that Mr. Lawrence had no record before going to Texas; that Mr. Lawrence has had a Clark County Sheriff's card and a Police Department card, and his employment at Peyton Place justified the fact that he is a citizen who can be trusted to operate this type of business. Mr. Brennan concluded with the statement that Mr. Lawrence's brief stay in Texas was the only thing against him in his lifetime and requested that the Commission pass his client and not hold Mr. Lawrence's brief stay in Texas against him. Commissioner Sharp inquired whether Mr. Lawrence would be willing to appear before the Board and to this Mr. Brennan replied that he would. Commissioner Sharp moved the application of Robert D. Lawrence for a 50% - interest in Patrick's Peyton Place be held in abeyance. Motion seconded by Commissioner Elwell and carried by the following vote: Commissioners Elwell, Fountain, Sharp and His Honor, Mayor Gragson, voting aye; noes, none. Absent: Commissioner Whipple. An Emergency Ordinance entitled: AN EMERGENCY ORDINANCE TO AMEND EMERGENCY ORDINANCE NO. 815; PROHIBITING FALSE AND FRAUDULENT ADVERTISING, INCLUDING ADVERTISING OF RATES AND SERVICES OF HOTELS, INNS, MOTELS, MOTOR COURTS, BOARDING HOUSES AND LODGING HOUSES WITHIN THE CITY OF IAS VEGAS; PROVIDING PENALTIES THEREFOR; PROVIDING OTHER MATTERS PROPERLY RELATED THERETO; REPEALING ALL OTHER ORDINANCES OR PARTS OF ORDINANCES IN CONFLICT THEREWITH; AND DECLARING AN EMERGENCY was read by title. Commissioner Elwell moved the above-entitled Ordinance No. 818 be adopted. Motion seconded by Commissioner Fountain and carried by the following vote: Commissioners Elwell, Fountain, Sharp and His Honor, Mayor Gragson, voting aye; noes, none. Absent: Commissioner Whipple. A proposed Ordinance entitled: AN ORDINANCE TO AMEND SECTION IV OF ORDINANCE NO. 378, REFERRED TO AS SECTION 10, CHAPTER 24, CODE OF LAS VEGAS, NEVADA, 1949, BY AMENDING THE LAND USE PLAN MAP ADOPTED BY THE CITY OF LAS VEGAS, AND CHANGING THE ZONING DESIGNATION OF CERTAIN AREAS OF THE SAID MAP was read by title. City Attorney Cory recommended that this be referred to a Committee. LIQUOR APPLICATION Additional Owner Robert D. Lawrence Held in Abeyance EMERGENCY ORDINANCE #818 Adopted PROPOSED ORDINANCE Rezoning Z-5 and z-39-59 Referred to Committee