Local Liquor Commission

LOCAL LIQUOR CONTROL COMMISSION November 12, 2015 I. CALL TO ORDER AND ROLL CALL VOTE Mr. Kozik called the November 12, 2015 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, Chair Taylor, Commissioner Pearse, Commissioner Sender, Commissioner Wolgemuth. Absent: None. City Staff Present: James P. Kozik, Director of Planning and Economic Development. II. PUBLIC COMMENT There was no public comment. III. APPROVAL OF MINUTES – OCTOBER 8, 2015 Commissioner Wolgemuth commented that Ms. Brown’s name was missing from the roll call. Commissioner Pearse then moved and Commissioner Wolgemuth seconded a motion to approve the minutes of the October 8, 2015 Local Liquor Control Commission meeting as corrected. On a voice vote, all voted aye. IV. NEW BUSINESS Proposed Amendment to the Liquor Code - Class V Liquor License – Coffee Shop Mr. Kozik stated that the Commission has been asked by the City Council to review a proposed amendment to the Liquor Code regarding the creation of a new “coffee shop” license classification. Mr. Kozik stated that the proposed classification comes at the request of Starbucks who would like to introduce its “evenings” (limited sales of beer and wine) program to one of its Wheaton locations. Mr. Kozik stated that the language of the proposed license classification is closely modeled after a license classification adopted by the Village of Winnetka. The proposed hours would be Monday thru Sunday, 5:00 p.m. to 11:00 p.m. The proposed fee would be $1,000; the same fee for a Class B License (small restaurant serving beer and wine). Ms. Rebecca Rabin, an attorney representing Starbucks and Ms. Emily Schook, a district manager for Starbucks, were in attendance to answer questions from the Commission. In response to a question from the Commission, Ms. Schook stated that Starbucks nearby locations in Glen Ellyn, Downers Grove, St. Charles, and Bartlett have liquor licenses. Ms. Schook stated that there are a total of three dozen locations in Illinois that have liquor licenses. Ms. Rabin, stated that liquor sales account for less than 1% of sales and that in the three years since having been granted licenses in Illinois, there has been no liquor infractions. Ms. Schook stated that Starbucks expects to sell two to thirteen units of liquor a day and fifteen to thirty-five “plates” a day. Ms. Schook stated that “plates” are additional food offerings that are  Local Liquor Control Commission Meeting November 12, 2015 Page 2 of 3 available at locations serving alcohol. Commissioner Wolgemuth questions which Wheaton location is Starbucks interested in obtaining a license for and when the would expect to obtain a license. Ms. Schook stated the Town Square location and by June of 2016. The Commission discussed the proposed language of the new classification with the Starbucks representatives, particularly the procedures Starbucks has in place to ensure the responsible sale of alcohol, the type of glassware used, and the hours of operation. Ms. Schook stated that Starbucks would also like to see a starting time consistent with neighboring communities; 2 P.M. Hearing no further questions or comments, Commissioner Pearse moved and Commissioner Brown seconded a motion to recommend to the City Council that the proposed Class V Liquor License be approved subject to the requirement that clear glassware be used and that the starting time for the sale of alcohol be consistent with neighboring communities; 2 P.M. On a roll call vote, all voted aye. Miscellaneous Amendments to the Liquor Code Mr. Kozik presented the Commission with a draft ordinance which would amend certain sections of the Wheaton Liquor Code that has been prepared by the City Clerk and staff. Mr. Kozik stated that two of the proposed amendments relate to changes to the Code as a result of the passage of Public Act 098-0939, effective in DuPage County as of July 1, 2016, which mandates BASSET training for all alcohol servers statewide. Because of the required BASSET training, Mr. Kozik stated that staff feels it is no longer necessary that liquor license applicants provide a training manual for their employees on handling the sale of alcoholic liquor unless a training program exists that is in addition to the BASSET training required by the state. Mr. Kozik stated that the other amendment relates to Class F licenses and Outdoor Special Events. Mr. Kozik stated that on July 18, 2011, the City Council passed Ordinance No. F-1575, which allowed a Class F event to extend up to five successive days. Mr. Kozik stated that passage of that ordinance accommodated the DuPage County Fair’s request for a beer tent for the five-day duration of the County Fair. Because of the additional safeguards that are in place for outdoor special events, Mr. Kozik stated that staff believes it would be more appropriate to address liquor sales during the County Fair under an outdoor special event liquor license rather than through a Class F license. Mr. Kozik stated that the Class F license was intended for Churches and other non-profits who wished to sell alcohol in connection with small events such as spaghetti dinners, auctions, etc. Therefore, it is being proposed that the Class F license be amended to allow 12 one-day events only as it existed previously. In addition, Mr. Kozik stated that the proposed ordinance would extend the maximum number of days for an outdoor special event to five instead of the current maximum of four, and add the DuPage County Fair property as an approved location.  Local Liquor Control Commission Meeting November 12, 2015 Page 3 of 3 Hearing no questions or comments, Commissioner Wolgemuth moved and Commissioner Pearse seconded a motion to recommend approval of the proposed amendments to the City Council. On a roll call vote, all voted aye. V. MISCELLANEOUS There was no miscellaneous business. VI. ADJOURNMENT The meeting was adjourned at 8:05 P.M. Respectfully submitted, James P. Kozik, AICP Director of Planning and Economic Development