Local Liquor Commission

LOCAL LIQUOR CONTROL COMMISSION March 10, 2016 I. CALL TO ORDER AND ROLL CALL VOTE Chair Taylor called the March 10, 2016 Local Liquor Control Commission meeting to order at 7:30 P.M. in the Council Chambers of the Wheaton City Hall, 303 West Wesley Street. Upon roll call, the following were present: Commissioner Brown, Commissioner Pearse, Commissioner Sender, Chair Taylor. Absent: Commissioner Wolgemuth. City Staff Present: James P. Kozik, Director of Planning and Economic Development. II. PUBLIC COMMENT There was no public comment. III. APPROVAL OF MINUTES – FEBRUARY 11, 2016 Commissioner Pearse moved and Commissioner Brown seconded a motion to approve the minutes of the February 11, 2016 Local Liquor Control Commission meeting as submitted. On a voice vote, all voted aye. IV. NEW BUSINESS Outdoor Special Event Liquor Licenses - Wheaton Park District - Taste of Wheaton and Wheaton Brew Fest Ms. Kristina Nemetz, Superintendent of Marketing & Special Events for the Wheaton Park District, was in attendance to present applications for two outdoor special events; The Taste of Wheaton and Wheaton Brew Fest. Ms. Nemetz stated that this is the fifteenth year that an Outdoor Special Event Liquor License is being sought in connection with various events held in Memorial Park. She stated that both events will be held in Memorial Park. Taste of Wheaton will be held on Thursday, June 2nd thru Sunday, June 5th with varying hours ending at 10 P.M. on Thursday, Friday and Saturday (their application also includes an 8:00 A.M. start date on Saturday, June 4th to provide a post-race party for the Run for the Animals race participants); Brew Fest will be held on Saturday, August 6th from noon to 4:30 P.M. As in previous years, Ms. Nemetz stated that the entire area devoted to the sale of alcohol within Memorial Park will be fenced off. Wheaton Police and BASSET/Wheaton Police-trained volunteers will be on duty at the entrances to check ID’s and “band” attendees wishing to purchase alcohol. All servers at the event will receive alcohol training pursuant to the Liquor Ordinance requirements. Commissioner Pearse questioned whether there have been any problems with the sale of liquor at previous events. Ms. Nemetz stated there have not been any problems.  Local Liquor Control Commission Meeting March 10, 2016 Page 2 of 3 Hearing no further questions or comments, Commissioner Sender moved and Commissioner Pearse seconded the motion to recommend to the City Council that Outdoor Special Event Liquor Licenses be issued to the Wheaton Park District for The Taste of Wheaton and Wheaton Brew Fest. On a roll call vote, all voted aye. Amendment to Sections 6-83.5 and 6-87.5 of the Wheaton City Code – Outdoor Special Event Liquor License – Warren's Ale House – 51 Town Square Mr. Joe Chavez, General Manager for Warren's Ale House was in attendance to present a draft ordinance to the Commission which would amend Sections 6-83.5 and 6-87.5 of the Wheaton City Code as they pertain to outdoor special event liquor licenses. Mr. Kozik stated that currently, outdoor special event liquor licenses are only available to Wheaton- based nonprofit organizations wishing to serve alcohol at outdoor special events. Mr. Kozik stated that the proposed amendment would allow existing Class A, B or I licensees to serve alcohol at an outdoor special event that would be conducted outside their licensed premises on either their own property or their landlord's property. Mr. Kozik stated that the proposed amendment would match the licensing authority of the State which allows both nonprofit and licensed establishments to conduct outdoor special events. In connection with the proposed amendment, Mr. Chavez stated that Warren's Ale House, an existing Class I Licensee located at 51 Town Square, is seeking an outdoor special event liquor license for an event to be held in a tent in the Town Square parking lot north of their restaurant on Saturday, April 30th from 11AM to 7PM. Mr. Chavez stated that the event is proposed to be an age 21+ only event with ticket sales happening in advance and day of. As with Outdoor Special Event Liquor Licenses issued to Wheaton-based nonprofits, he stated that Warren's will contract with the City Police Department for extraordinary services by having at least two off-duty officers present at the outdoor special event at all times during the hours of operation. Members of the Commission questioned Mr. Chavez about his experience with such events. Hearing no further questions or comments, Commissioner Brown moved and Commissioner Sender seconded the motion to recommend to the City Council approval of the amendments to Sections 6- 83.5 and 6-87.5 of the Wheaton City Code as they pertain to outdoor special event liquor licenses and approval of an outdoor special event liquor license for an event for Warren's Ale House to be held in a tent in the Town Square parking lot north of their restaurant on Saturday, April 30th from 11AM to 7PM. On a roll call vote, all voted aye.  Local Liquor Control Commission Meeting March 10, 2016 Page 3 of 3 V. MISCELLANEOUS There was no miscellaneous business. VI. ADJOURNMENT The meeting was adjourned at 7:50 P.M. Respectfully submitted, James P. Kozik, AICP Director of Planning and Economic Development