Uses her vote allowing loud music at a bar she owns.
Pacific Grove officials are mum one week after a member of the city council voted on a new city rule that some residents say amounted to a conflict of interest. At the March 19 council a council meeting, councilman Joe Amelio proposed an ordinance to allow louder music at downtown businesses and restaurants. The revised noise law would benefit several establishments that host live and recorded music, including a venue called Pop & Hiss at 215 Forest Ave.
But just before the council was to deliberate on the proposal, a resident said during the public comment period that councilwoman Tina Rau should recuse herself from the discussion since she owns the building that Pop & Hiss occupies. Rau did not do that, and neither she nor the other five council members addressed the issue. Minutes later, Rau made a motion to allow louder music. The city council passed the measure 4-2.