MADISON, Wis. -- A proposal to add a provision to downtown liquor licenses hit a brick wall Wednesday.

The city's Alcohol License Review Committee rejected the provision that would have put bar owners on notice that the mayor could shut their establishments down.

Technically, the mayor does have the power to close businesses in an emergency.

In order to do that, the mayor is supposed to seek permission from the City Council. But if the council can't meet, the mayor could do it on his/her own.

Mayor Dave Cieslewicz said he still plans to pursue an ordinance at the city level that would ask the council to give him the authority before Halloween.

Cieslewicz said he would like businesses to step up to the plate.

"If we can get the bars to comply voluntarily with an early closing time then I'm certainly willing to look at that and pursue it," said Cieslewicz.

Downtown Alderman Mike Verveer disagrees with the mayor's strategy.

"Shutting down restaurants and bars I don't think is the answer," said Verveer. "I will oppose any effort to do so. So, if the mayor does to go the City Council and ask for our blessing, to use the martial law authority that he has without City Council blessing, I will not support that."

The mayor added that the license provision is now less important because bar owners know about the authority.