Protection and Welfare Committee

Protection & Welfare Committee Meeting Minutes - April 17, 2018 Chairman Rosek called the meeting to order at 6:41 PM. Members Present: Aldermen Rosek, Schmidt and Shaw Staff Present: Mayor Nold, Kitsembel, Freber, Pickart, Gallo, Kelliher, Buerger, Duffy, Osborn, Frye and Coenen Others Present: Alds. Zwart, Kowieski, Ellis, Miller and Strey 2. Consider/recommend Amending Ordinance §12.03(7A)(b)4.b of the Municipal Code Pertaining to Restraint of Pit Bull Dogs: Buerger reported staff received a request from Ellis to review the code pertaining to the restraint of pit bull dogs as he would like to see the requirement to muzzle pit bulls while walking them removed. Buerger referred to the pit bull ordinance comparison that outlined what 58 other Wisconsin community’s requirements are, noting that Oconomowoc is less restrictive than most. The Committee asked what would happen if a non-muzzled pit bull bit. Buerger stated first we would investigate and the animal would be on record, if a second bite occurred we would send a letter to the owner and the animal would be removed from the City. The Committee discussed facts such as temperament, training, any type of dog can be vicious, reputation of pit bulls, prior experience with certain breeds being used to develop our code, pit bulls being singled out as vicious, and that the ordinance is meant to be preventative. The Committee asked staff to verify with the City Attorney any effects on the intent of the code if it is changed to remove the requirement of pit bulls being muzzled. Staff will further investigate and bring back when ready. 3. Consider/recommend Granting Three Temporary Class “B” Retailer’s Licenses to Downtown Oconomowoc Business Association (DOBA): Kelliher reported staff was asked by Council to investigate how beer gardens are managed in other communities (a comparison sheet was handed out) and use that information to determine if the City should implement a beer garden. Staff presented the information to the Park & Recreation Board in January and the Board recommends operation of a beer garden once a month in June, July and August on the Village Green. The Board also felt that staff should develop the concept with the Downtown Oconomowoc Business Association (DOBA) and if there is no interest, put out an RFP. Staff met with DOBA and DOBA has submitted a proposal for a community beer garden this summer. A Temporary Class “B” Retailer’s License would be needed for each event; June 15th & 16th; July 13th & 14th; and August 18th & 19th. The hours of operation proposed in June & July are Fridays & Saturdays 5 – 9 pm and in August, Saturday 11 am – 9 pm and Sunday 11 am – 5 pm. The Committee expressed concern about the effect on businesses in the downtown and if they were in support of a beer garden on the Village Green. Strey stated he has received feedback and passed out a sheet listing 16 downtown businesses (DOBA members and non-members) that are not in support of a the beer garden on the Village Green. The Committee suggested that DOBA seek out member input and also had discussion on traffic and parking issues, other events in the downtown, having the beer garden at Fowler or Roosevelt Park, bringing people to the downtown, trying it for a season, and taking business away from downtown businesses. Kelliher reported that staff will be bringing forward an amendment to our code regarding open intoxicants and that one of the questions on the Needs Assessment Survey was about beer gardens. 55% of responses ranked a beer garden as a med – high priority. He also stated that there are 841 parking stalls in the downtown area. Motion by Rosek to recommend granting three Temporary Class “B” Retailer’s Licenses to DOBA to operate a beer garden on the Village Green; second by Schmidt. Motion carried 2-1. Shaw voted no. Motion by Rosek to adjourn; second by Shaw. Motion carried 3-0. The meeting adjourned at 7:17 PM. Minutes by Diane Coenen, City Clerk Ald. Schmidt, Secretary S:\Committees & Commissions\Protection & Welfare Committee\Minutes\2018\PWMin4-17-18.doc