Protection and Welfare Committee

Protection & Welfare Committee Meeting Minutes March 21, 2017 Chairman Rosek called the meeting to order at 6:00 PM. Members Present: Aldermen Rosek, Strey and Schmidt Staff Present: Mayor Nold, Kitsembel, Gallo, Duffy, Frye, Pickart, Buerger, Sullivan, Kelliher, Osborn, Golz and Coenen Others Present: Alds. Zwart, Shaw, Gross and Miller; Atty. Riffle and Stan Sugden 2. Consider/recommend Granting New “Class A” Retail Intoxicating Liquor License to JX2, Inc.: Coenen reported the City received an application for a new “Class A” Retail Intoxicating Liquor license from JX2, Inc., d/b/a Great Harvest Bread Co., located at 127 E. Wisconsin Avenue to sell packaged wine. The business opened on Saturday, March 18th however the licensee understands that his license will not take effect until after Council approval on March 22nd. The applicant meets all Chapter 12 licensing requirements for a new business to operate with a retail license. A “Class A” retail license is for intoxicating liquor sales for off premise consumption. Additionally, the City has no quotas on “Class A” retail licenses. Motion by Strey to recommend granting a new “Class A” retail intoxicating liquor license to JX2, Inc.; second by Schmidt. Motion carried 3-0. 3. Discussion on Short Term Rental Regulation: Duffy reported that the US Open event happening in Erin this June and large events such as the Harley Davidson Anniversary prompted discussion by the Tourism Commission on short term rentals as travelers are looking for vacation rentals by owners and Airbnb accommodations because they are more flexible to meet needs. Based on the discussions, staff drafted some regulations and at the request of the Tourism Commission are bringing the concept ideas to Protection & Welfare for consideration. Currently, the City zoning code allows short term rentals in all residential districts for not less than 30 days, except where prohibited by restrictive covenants. Possible ways to regulate short term rentals would be to require a private residence obtain a permit from the City which limits up to 15 days per calendar year for rentals. There would be a fee associated with the permit and the owner would need to comply with applicable State Laws such as obtaining a tourist rooming house permit and paying room and sales taxes. Regulating rentals would protect persons engaged as a landlord or tenant; protect against adverse impacts of noise, odor, disturbance, adverse visual impacts, or other nuisances; and also control the impacts on municipal services. The Committee had lengthy discussion on what is the benefit and efficiency to the City to regulate short term rentals, what the fee would be, what department would monitor this activity, how would it be enforced; i.e. complaint driven or staff investigation, number of days allowed to rent a residence, why government needs to get involved and wanting more information on fees, enforcement, issuance of permits and penalty mechanism. The Committee directed Duffy to have further discussion with the Tourism Commission. Motion by Strey to adjourn; second by Schmidt. Motion carried 3-0. The meeting adjourned at 6:27 PM. Minutes taken by Diane Coenen, City Clerk Ald. Strey, Secretary S:\Committees - Commissions\Protection & Welfare Committee\Minutes\2017\PWMin3-21-17.doc