Iowa City Council defers vote on Piano Lounge liquor license

The City Council in Iowa City will wait to vote on the liquor license application from the Piano Lounge.

The Police and Housing and Inspection Services departments had recommended the council deny the renewal application from the bar, located at 217 Iowa Ave.

But the council chose to defer a decision to give city staff more time to talk with the bar's owners.

Police Chief Sam Hargadine had recommended against renewal, saying one of the bar's co-owners lacked the good moral character required by the state to hold a liquor license.

Hargadine said Chad Freeman, who owns 30 percent of the bar, pleaded guilty to fourth-degree theft in Linn County District Court last fall after passing a bad check and failing to resolve the matter. He also said Freeman owns Freeman Construction and owes the city of Iowa City more than $46,000 in landfill fees that the city has unsuccessfully tried to collect.

The city's Housing and Inspection Services Department also recommended denial because the Piano Lounge failed, after repeated requests, to submit a required statement on the establishment's hours of operation.

City Attorney Eleanor Dilkes said the city had not heard from the owners until one of them, Brett Thomas, left a message late Monday afternoon saying he planned to meet with Freeman soon to discuss the situation.

Council members said they would wait until their Jan. 25 meeting to make a decision.