Las Vegas City Commission Minutes, November 20, 1957 to December 2, 1959, lvc000011-624

Motion seconded by Commissioner Sharp and carried by the following vote: Commissioners Elwell, Fountain, Sharp, Whipple and His Honor Mayor Gragson voting aye; noes, none. PROPOSED ORDINANCE Additional time was requested for the proposed Child Welfare Ordinance which was introduced and read by title at the regular meeting of the Board Child Welfare of City Commissioners held July 1, 1959, and referred to Commissioners Ord. Fountain and Elwell, committee for recommendation. Continued PROPOSED ORDINANCE Additional time was requested for the proposed Liquor Control Ordinance; which Liquor Control Ord. was introduced and read by title at the regular meeting of the Board of City Commissioners held September 16, 1959 and referred to Commissioners Sharp and Continued Whipple, committee for recommendation. PROPOSED ORDINANCE An Ordinance entitled: AN ORDINANCE TO AMEND ORDINANCE NUMBER 521 AND ORDINANCE NUMBER 736, DEALING WITH THE ESTABLISHMENT OF A PUBLIC POUND IN Animal & Fowl Ord. THE CITY OF LAS VEGAS; PROVIDING FOR FEES FOR SERVICES PERFORMED BY THE Amendment POUNDKEEPER; AND REPEALING ALL ORDINANCES OR PARTS OF ORDINANCES IN CONFLICT Referred to Committee THEREWITH; was read by title and referred to Commissioners Fountain and Sharp, committee for recommendation. PROPOSED ORDINANCE An Ordinance entitled: AN ORDINANCE PROVIDING FOR THE PROTECTION OF THE PUBLIC HEALTH AND SAFETY, AND THE EXAMINATION, REGISTRATION, LICENSING OF Plumbing Code PERSON ENGAGED IN THE BUSINESS OF PLUMBING, OR LABORING AT THE TRADE OF PLUMBING, REQUIRING A PERMIT FOR THE INSTALLATION OR ALTERATION OF PLUMBING Referred to Committee AND DRAINAGE SYSTEMS, CREATING AN ADMINISTRATIVE OFFICE AND A BOARD OF PLUMBER EXAMINERS, AND PRESCRIBING THEIR DUTIES; DEFINING CERTAIN TERMS; ESTABLISHING MINIMUM REGULATIONS FOR THE INSTALLATION; ALTERATION OR REPAIR OF PLUMBING AND DRAINAGE SYSTEMS AND THE INSPECTION THEREOF; PROVIDING PENALTIES FOR ITS VIOLATION AND REPEALING ORDINANCE NOS. 623; 700 AND 737; AND ALL OTHER ORDINANCES OR PARTS OF ORDINANCES IN CONFLICT THEREWITH; was read by title and referred to Commissioners Fountain and Sharp; committee for recommendation. LIQUOR LICENSE The Commission again considered the application of Karl and Leo Frey (Leroy Corp.) for a Tavern License and license for four slot machines at the Moulin Moulin Rouge Hotel Rouge Hotel, 900 West Bonanza; favorable police report on the applicants. This application was held in abeyance for a full Board at the last regular Held in Abeyance meeting of the Board of City Commissioners. Dr. James B. McMillan; representing the NAACP, advised the Commission they had knowledge of accommodations being refused to colored people by the present operators of the Moulin Rouge Hotel; despite the understanding that this would not happen; and that the hotel would operate in a democratic manner; therefore, they were objecting to this application and recommending that it be denied. Mr. Leo Frey, one of the applicants; disagreed with this statement and stated there were several colored residents presently registered at the hotel; and that they did not deny lodging because of race; however; they did refuse service to anyone disorderly. He advised the Commission no one would be refused service in the bar because of race if they were granted this license. His Honor Mayor Gragson asked how many rooms there were in the Moulin Rouge Hotel and Mr. Frey replied there were 105. Mayor Gragson asked the attorney what the ordinance required and Mr. Whitmore advised the ordinance provided a tavern was permitted in a hotel having more than 100 guest rooms. Commissioner Sharp asked Mr. Frey if he would operate this as an inter-racial hotel and he replied they would not refuse anyone admission to the bar because of race or color. Mayor Gragson stated he hoped Mr. Frey realized if this application was granted, that all concerned, including the Commission and the entire community, would expect the operation to be conducted in this manner. Dr. McMillan cited an instance where certain people, who came here to the Mobil Convention, had confirmed reservations at the Moulin Rouge and were refused lodging when they arrived. He added there was nowhere for colored visitors to stay. He believed this hotel could be operated with dignity as an inter-racial hotel and did not see why it should be operated differently. Commissioner Elwell asked if there would be any objection if the establishment was operated as an inter-racial hotel, and Dr. McMillan stated if the hotel was operated as had been in the past, there would be no objection. Dr. McMillan cited another instance where four negroes from California asked for reservations and waited 45 minutes before they were finally given accommodations. He added this hassle to get rooms caused trouble which they did not want. Mr. Frey stated that when colored people came into their place, they were not treated any differently than anyone else. Commissioner Fountain stated Mr. Frey was one of the original prime investors who invested in and opened this as an inter-racial hotel in the west section of the City, and moved this application be denied. Mr. Frey stated he bought it in Bankruptcy Court. David Hoggard addressed the Commission, stating he had attended a meeting when members of West Las Vegas agreed with what Mr. Frey told them at that time, but since then the situation had changed. He added he did not believe Mr. Frey was sincere when he said he would operate this as an inter-racial hotel and that he (Mr. Frey) had used such excuses as renting only to permanent guests or by the week when colored people had tried to rent lodging. Mr. Hoggard said, because of the peculiarity of this location, he was in favor of Commissioner Fountain's motion to deny this license at this time. 11-18-59