Liquor Commission

City of Naperville 400 S. Eagle Street Naperville, IL 60540 Meeting Minutes - Final Thursday, January 4, 2024 3:00 PM Council Chambers Liquor Commission Liquor Commission Meeting Minutes - Final January 4, 2024 A. CALL TO ORDER: Mayor Wehrli called the meeting to order at 3:00 p.m. B. ROLL CALL: Staff Present: Rachel Pruneda, Assistant to the Mayor; Shebnem Ozkaptan, Budget & Administrative Manager; Detective Marty Creighton, Liquor & Tobacco Liaison, Naperville Police Department; Jennifer Lutzke Bonner, Senior Assistant Attorney Also Present: Christine Jeffries, President of Naperville Development Partnership Present 7- Steve Chirico, Kelly Douglas, John Koranda, Ray McGury, Anthony Signorella, Mitch Stauffer, and Mayor Scott Wehrli C. PUBLIC FORUM: None. D. OLD BUSINESS: None. E. NEW BUSINESS: 1. Install new Liquor Commissioners: Steve Chirico Kelly Douglas John Koranda Ray McGury Anthony Signorella Mitch Stauffer The following Liquor Commissioners were sworn-in by Mayor Wehrli: Steve Chirico, Kelly M. Douglas, John Koranda, Raymond J. McGury, Anthony M. Signorella, S. Mitch Stauffer 2. Consider Pepe’s Restaurant and La Cantina’s request for a Class C - Tavern license Matt Rocush, Sandra Rocush and Rod Peterson owners of ZSRM Inc, dba, Pepe's Restaurant & La Cantina presented their concept for a Class C - Tavern License. Heinen's Grocery Store purchased the strip center at 1200 E. Chicago Ave. (Butera plaza), and intends to construct a new grocery store in its place. Pepe's lease expires this month, and it has been looking City of Naperville Page 1 Printed on 2/12/2024 Liquor Commission Meeting Minutes - Final January 4, 2024 to move to a new location in Naperville. The owners of Pepe’s are interested in acquiring Miss Kitty’s Saloon, located at 634 E. Ogden Avenue. Miss Kitty's does not have a kitchen and therefore, owners would only be opening the Cantina and not the restaurant. There are plans to possibly add a kitchen in the future. Commissioners asked what the hours were going to be and the owners responded that the hours would remain the same as their current hours which is 1:00 am during the week and 2:00 am on weekends. Commissioners also asked what changes would be made and the owners responded that the changes would only be cosmetic. Commissioners also asked how important was packaged liquor to their concept to which the owners replied that they are not relying on it. Commissioner Koranda made a motion to approve Pepe's Restaurant and La Cantina's request for a Class C - Tavern License and recommend it for approval by City Council. The motion was approved and carried by the following vote: Aye: 6- Chirico, Douglas, Koranda, McGury, Signorella, and Stauffer Excused: 1- Mayor Wehrli 1. Approve the regular Liquor Commission meeting minutes of April 6, 2023 Commissioner Chirico made a motion to approve the regular Liquor Commission meeting minutes of April 6, 2034, seconded by Koranda. The motion carried by a unanimous vote. 2. Approve the regular Liquor Commission meeting dates for 2024 Commissioner Stauffer moved to approve the regular Liquor Commission meeting dates for 2024, seconded by Signorella. The motion carried by a unanimous vote. F. REPORTS: 1. Restaurant Association Report - Jeffries Christine Jeffries representing Naperville Development Partnership provided an annual update for Naperville restaurants stating sales/revenue generated from drinking and eating at Naperville restaurants has been on a steady incline for years and the only time she saw a decline was during the COVID pandemic. She also stated that in 2021, things started to rebound and even exceeded sales from before the pandemic. City of Naperville Page 2 Printed on 2/12/2024 Liquor Commission Meeting Minutes - Final January 4, 2024 Jeffries reported that NDP continues to distribute the dining guide which lists all restaurant establishments who pay food and beverage taxes. NDP also distributes a Celebrate Safely guide book that cites rules around the serving and selling of alcohol. Annual Restaurant Week: Starts January 19th and runs through February 4th. Naperville Restaurant Week will showcase many restaurants throughout town from fast casual to fancy dining. Each venue will provide either a pre-fixed menu at an appetizing price or discounts on featured menu choices. Commissioner Signorella congratulated Christine Jeffries on her retirement and all the work she has done for the City of Naperville. 2. BASSET- Employee Training Statistics - Creighton Creighton, reported that there were 1200 people BASSET trained in 2023. He stated that we are still bringing in a lot of new employees to the industry, adding that providing in-person training is key. 3. Tobacco Enforcement Review - Creighton Creighton reported that the first round of tobacco compliance checks for the new fiscal year will be in March. Last year we saw a significant increase in violations, but they are currently on a decline. A Commissioner asked if there have been repeat offenders and Creighton reported that there are 3 businesses that had 2nd violations. Bonner reported that tickets will be adjudicated, and fines will be issued. 4. Liquor Report - Creighton Creighton reported that there were 11 DUI's in March 2023 compared to 12 DUI's in March 2022; there were 10 DUI's in April 2023 compared to 17 DUI's in April 2022; there were 11 DUI's in May 2023 compared to 13 DUI's in May 2022; there were 8 DUI's in June 2023 compared to 16 DUI's in June 2022; there were 11 DUI's in July 2023 compared to 15 DUI's in 2022; there were 12 DUI's in August 2023 compared to 10 DUI's in August 2022; there were 15 DUI's in September 2023 compared to 19 DUI's in September 2022; there were 7 DUI's in October 2023 compared to 11 DUI's in October 2022; there was 1 DUI in November 2023 compared to 14 DUI's in November 2022; and there were 18 DUI's in December 2023 compared to 20 in December 2022. Creighton reported that DUI's are down by 27%; the lowest they have been in years. There were 171 DUI's in 2022 compared to 125 DUI's in 2023. Commissioners said this was great news and gave a shout out to those who are making better choices about drinking and driving. City of Naperville Page 3 Printed on 2/12/2024 Liquor Commission Meeting Minutes - Final January 4, 2024 5. Liquor Concept Committee Update - Pruneda Since the last Liquor Commission Meeting, the Liquor Concept Committee has had 7 meetings on April 20, May 18, June 15, July 20, Aug 17, Sept. 21, and Nov. 16. The following concepts were discussed: Festa Italiana, event scheduled for August 4 - 6 at Naper Settlement The 3rd party organizer is Star Events. The charity license holder is the Amici Naperville Area Italian American Club. They will be serving beer, cider and canned vodka/lemonade. Their request was approved and their application has been processed. Kura Revolving Sushi, 1211 E. Ogden Avenue, Suite 101 New business seeking a Class A - Restaurant License. Their request was approved and their application has been processed. Naansense, 1211 E. Ogden Avenue, Suite 105 A new fast casual Indian Cuisine restaurant/business is seeking a Class A - Restaurant License. Their request was approved and their license has been processed. Bollywood Café, 1413 S. Plainfield/Naperville Road New business seeking a Class A - Restaurant License. Their request was approved and their application is in process. Brazilian Festival, event scheduled for July 15 & September 16 at Community Christian Church (Yellow Box), 1635 Emerson Lane Temporary Permit. Organized by Brazilian Festival NFP. They will be serving beer and wine. Their request was approved and their application has been processed. AltaVida!, 16 W. Jefferson New full-service Latin Fusion Restaurant seeking a Class B - Restaurant License with a late-night permit, entertainment permit and outdoor seating. Their request was approved their application is in process. Last Fling, event scheduled for September 1 - 4 on Jackson Ave. There is no 3rd party organizer. The charity license holder is the Naperville Jaycees. They will be serving beer, wine, and pre-mixed canned cocktails. Their request was approved and their application has been processed. The Naperville Salute, event schedule for June 30 - July 3 The Charity holder is Naperville Salute Charitable Organization. They will be serving beer, wine, and four types of canned cocktails. Their request was approved and their application has been processed. United Flavor’s Indian Fusion, 220 S. Washington City of Naperville Page 4 Printed on 2/12/2024 Liquor Commission Meeting Minutes - Final January 4, 2024 New Indian full-service Fusion Restaurant seeking a Class A - Restaurant License. Their request was approved and their application is in process. Bn Chingon Mexican Restaurant, 367 E. Bailey Road An existing Modern Mexican Restaurant is seeking to add a Class A - Restaurant License to their business concept. Their request was approved and their application has been processed. Sea Love Candle Bar and Boutique, 120 Water Street, Unit 104 New business seeking a Class M - Recreational Facility License. Their business concept is to have guests select from a wall of scents and create customized, scented candles or diffusers. They will be selling wine, beer and seltzers. Their request was approved and their application has been processed. North Central College North Central College is working with a new caterer, Parkhurst Dining. Their request to seek a Class K - Catering license was approved and their application is in process. Little Italian Pizza, 373 E. Bailey Road This is an existing business changing ownership. One of the new owners is on the current liquor license and had no violations. They are Seeking a Class B - Restaurant License. Their request was approved and their application is in process. Barrio Tacos + Tequila + Whiskey, 175 W. Jackson Ave. New business seeking a Class B - Restaurant license with a Late-Night Permit & (possibly) outdoor seating. They have been referred to a future Liquor Commission meeting for further review of their request. Pepe’s Restaurant and La Cantina, 1270 E. Chicago Ave. Existing business that currently holds a Class B - Restaurant License seeking to obtain a Class C - Tavern License and move their business to a new location, currently Miss Kittys Saloon, 634 E. Ogden Ave. Pepe’s Restaurant and La Cantina has been referred to the Liquor Commission meeting being held today for further review. Taco Pros Naperville, 2860 Showplace Drive, Suite 114 New casual Mexican Restaurant seeking a Class A - Restaurant License. Their request was approved and is in process. Mariscos el Muelle, 1550 Illinois Route 59, Suite #156 Change in ownership. Currently MZ Bar & Grill. The new owner is seeking a Class B - Restaurant License. The new owner is currently employed by MZ Bar & Grill. Their request was approved and is in process. G. EXECUTIVE SESSION: City of Naperville Page 5 Printed on 2/12/2024 Liquor Commission Meeting Minutes - Final January 4, 2024 H. ADJOURNMENT: Commissioner Chirico made a motion to adjourn the Liquor Commission meeting of January 4, 2024 at 3:45 p.m., seconded by Koranda. The motion was approved by unanimous vote. /S/ Rachel Pruneda Rachel Pruneda Assistant to the Mayor City of Naperville Page 6 Printed on 2/12/2024