Local Liquor Commission

June 9, 2022 I. CALL TO ORDER AND ROLL CALL VOTE Chair Taylor called the June 9, 2022 meeting of the Local Liquor Control Commission to order at 7:00 P.M. in the City Council Chambers of the Wheaton City Hall, 303 West Wesley Street and via Zoom. Upon roll call, the following were present: Commissioner Pearse, Commissioner Sender, Chair Taylor and Commissioner Whitmer. Absent: Commissioner Brown. City Staff Present: James P. Kozik, Director of Planning and Economic Development. II. PUBLIC COMMENT There was no public comment. III. APPROVAL OF MINUTES – May 12, 2022 Hearing no questions or comments, Commissioner Sender moved and Commissioner Whitmer seconded a motion to recommend approval of the minutes of the May 12, 2022 Local Liquor Control Commission meeting as submitted. On a voice vote, all voted aye. IV. OLD BUSINESS The court reporter sworn in all those who will be speaking tonight. Violation Hearing – Whole Foods Market, 89 Danada Square East Chair Taylor called the public hearing to order. Chair Taylor stated that this is a matter from the May 12th meeting as the attorney representing Whole Foods asked for a continuance. Rob Anderson, attorney representing Whole Foods, and Mike Farmer, store Team Leader stated that the clerk involved in the sale to the decoy did not follow store policy regarding verifying ID’s and was terminated. Mr. Farmer stated that since the incident, all team members have been retrained and that the store is no longer accepting vertical licenses as a valid form of identification. Hearing no further questions or comments the public hearing was closed. Commissioner Sender then moved and Commissioner Whittmer seconded the motion to go into Executive Session pursuant to the Illinois Compiled Statutes 5ILCS 120/2 (c) (4) at 7:15 P.M. On a voice vote, all voted aye. At approximately 7:23 P.M. the Commission returned to open session. WHEATON LIQUOR CONTROL COMMISSION MEETING June 9, 2022 Following an admonishment of the licensee, Chair Taylor stated the Commission will be recommending a $500 fine for Whole Foods to the Liquor Commissioner. V. NEW BUSINESS Application for an Outdoor Special Event Liquor License - Downtown Wheaton Association - Summer Wine Walk Ms. Allison Orr, Executive Director, stated that the Downtown Wheaton Association (DWA) has submitted an application for an Outdoor Special Event Liquor License in connection with their Summer Wine Walk, to be held on August 11th from 5pm to 8:30 pm. Ms. Orr stated that this DWA fundraising event is planned as a ticketed wine tasting event. The tasting locations will be inside participating restaurants and selected retailers. The DWA will be purchasing the wine and distributing it to the tasting locations. Each location will have one to two wines offered for tastings. Ms. Orr stated that free Tuk Tuk service/school bus/trolley will circulate in the Downtown area to provide transportation from the north side of the Downtown to the tasting locations on the south side of Downtown. Live music and glass rinsing stations will be provided at various locations throughout the Downtown. Regarding liquor sales procedures, Ms. Orr stated that the DWA will sell tickets to the event on-line. All ticket holders will check in at either The Moment on Main or The Doodlebug Workshop to be carded and receive a wristband (must be 21 years or older); receive their tasting tickets, souvenir wine glass, and a walking map of all the tasting locations. Each location will have a Basset trained person (21 years or older) as the server. A special wine stopper that only allows for 1-ounce pours will be in each opened bottle. The server will be responsible for marking off each tasting on the participant’s tasting ticket. All tastings will be consumed inside the business premises. Signs will be posted inside the doorways noting that all tastings must be finished inside - no alcohol will be allowed outside. Hearing no questions or comments, Commissioner Sender moved and Commissioner Pearse seconded a motion to recommend approval of an Outdoor Special Event Permit for the Downtown Wheaton Association’s Summer Wine Walk. Ona voice vote all voted aye. Application for an Outdoor Special Event Liquor License – DuPage County Fair Association - DuPage County Fair Mr. Jim McGuire, President, stated that the DuPage County Fair Association has submitted an application for an Outdoor Special Event Liquor License in connection with the DuPage County Fair, an event to be held on the south end of the County Fairgrounds on July 29-31, from 10 A.M. to 11 P.M. Mr. McGuire stated that this year, the Fair Association is planning a smaller, three-day event for the County Fair. Regarding liquor sales procedures, Mr. McGuires stated that beer, wine and seltzer single serving products will be only sold in Building 2. Wheaton Police will be on duty in Building 2 where BASSET/Wheaton Police-trained volunteers will check ID’s and “band” attendees wishing to purchase WHEATON LIQUOR CONTROL COMMISSION MEETING June 9, 2022 alcohol. All servers at the event will receive alcohol training pursuant to the Liquor Ordinance requirements. Hearing no questions or comments, Commissioner Pearse moved and Commissioner Whittmer seconded a motion to recommend approval of the Fair Association’s application for an Outdoor Special Event Liquor License in connection with the DuPage County Fair. VI. MISCELLANEOUS BUSINESS Boards and Commissions The Commission discussed the proposed updates to the Ordinance on Boards, Commissions and Committees brought forth by the Mayor and City Council. With regards to Section 2-258 (as newly numbered), the limit on terms for a chairperson is suggested as “no more than two consecutive one- year terms.” The Commission suggested recommending that the limit be increased to three consecutive one-year terms. The Commission expressed their concern with this limitation since the Commission has never had a term limit for the role of Chairperson and they would prefer not to have one at all, as they feel having an experienced Chairperson is a benefit to the Commission and the City. Regarding Wheaton City Code, Sec 2-261(b) - This section states that “Every board, commission, or committee identified in this article is authorized on behalf of the City of Wheaton to solicit donations to support the purposes as set forth in this article”. The Commission discussed requesting to be specifically excluded from this statement as it could be perceived as a conflict of interest. VII. ADJOURNMENT The meeting was adjourned at 7:40 P.M. Respectfully submitted, James P. Kozik, AICP Director of Planning and Economic Development