On April 28, 2016, a newly appointed set of BLLC commissioners held hearings in order to reschedule seven protest of renewal hearings which had originally been scheduled to take place all in one day. The commissioners had been officially appointed just the day before the set of hearings: Chairman Matricciani and Commissioner Moore by Mayor Stephanie Rawlings-Blake and Commissioner Greenfield by City Council President Jack Young.
Deputy Executive Secretary Thomas Akras explained that the board needed to reschedule and postpone the hearings to allow for communities and licensees to present a full case to the Board. However, the statutory renewal period ends on April 30. Therefore, the Board required that, in order for the license to be renewed for the 2016 license year, the licensee would have to agree to a legally binding renewal protest hearing in the near future.
Chairman Matricciani introduced himself, thanking the Mayor for the confidence that she has placed in him to appoint him to the Board. He noted that the other two commissioners had elected him as the chairman. Commissioner Dana Moore added that she is very happy to be back and is looking forward to working once again with the staff and her fellow commissioners. Commissioner Greenfield also said that he was looking forward to working with the staff as well. Chairman Matricciani added that the commissioners all desire to conduct the hearings expeditiously, in fairness, with due process and a real openness about process.
The commissioners then rescheduled the renewal protest hearings for new dates on May 19 and June 2.