Local Liquor Commission

LOCAL LIQUOR CONTROL COMMISSION June 9, 2016 I. CALL TO ORDER AND ROLL CALL VOTE Chair Taylor called the June 9, 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, 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 – MAY 12, 2016 Chair Taylor commented that the May 12, 2016 minutes need to be revised to include the election of the Chair that occurred. Commissioner Brown then moved and Commissioner Wolgemuth seconded a motion to approve the minutes of the May 12, 2016 Local Liquor Control Commission meeting as revised. On a voice vote, all voted aye. IV. OLD BUSINESS Whole Foods/ Class E - Café Liquor License Amendment (Continued) Ms. Irene Bahr, Counsel for Whole Foods Market Group, Inc and Mr. Mike Farmer, Store Team Leader for Whole Foods Market Group, Inc. were in attendance to continue their discussion of a petition to amend the City's Class E - Café Liquor License regulations to allow a customer to go outside of the café area with alcohol with the Commission. Chair Taylor stated that at their May meeting, the Commission discussed Whole Foods Market Group, Inc, application for a Class E - Café Liquor License, a petition to amend the City's Class E - Café Liquor License regulations, and approval of a courtyard for their store that is currently under construction at 91 Danada Square East. Chair Taylor stated that the Commission approved the proposed "Courtyard" and recommended to the Council approval of the Class E – Café Liquor License, but held over voting on the proposed amendment to the Class E – Café Liquor License which would allow a customer to go outside the café area with alcohol. Chair Taylor stated that Staff has prepared language which would allow consideration of alcohol outside of the Café, but not as a right. When questioned by Commissioner Wolgemuth about how underage persons would be identified outside the café area, Mr. Farmer stated that it would be by observation by various store employees when a customer with alcohol would leave the café area. Ms. Bahr stated that this "Sip and Shop" feature has been approved at Whole Foods new stores in Elmhurst, Park Ridge and Willowbrook.  Local Liquor Control Commission Meeting June 9, 2016 Page 2 of 2 Commissioner Pearse expressed doubt about the ability of the store's employees to monitor the consumption of alcohol throughout the store. When asked about the use of wristbands like at outdoor special events, Ms. Bahr stated that Whole Foods would be amenable to wristbands if it were required. Members of the Commission discussed the mobility concept and felt that Whole Foods should have experience with serving liquor in the Café first and to revisit this matter at a later date. Commissioner Sender then moved and Commissioner Pearse seconded a motion to postpone consideration of this matter until April of 2017. On a voice vote, all voted aye. V. NEW BUSINESS Outdoor Special Event Liquor License – DuPage County Fair Association – DuPage County Fair Mr. Jim McGuire, Manager of the DuPage County Fair Association was in attendance to present an application for an Outdoor Special Event Liquor License submitted by the DuPage County Fair Association in connection with the DuPage County Fair to be held July 27th thru the 31st. Mr. McGuire stated that this is the sixth year that the Fair Association has sought permission to serve alcohol at the Fair, but the first year in which an Outdoor Special Event Liquor License is being sought. Mr. McGuire stated that in previous years, the Fair Association obtained a Class F Liquor License to sell alcohol at the Fair, but last year, the Liquor Code was amended to add the DuPage County Fairgrounds as an approved location for Outdoor Special Event. Mr. McGuire stated that the Fair Association is proposing at least three areas within the Fairgrounds for the sale of alcohol. As in previous years, Mr. McGuire stated that the areas devoted to the sale of alcohol will either be indoors or completely fenced off and that Wheaton Police and private security will be on duty at the entrances to check ID’s and “band” attendees wishing to purchase alcohol. Commissioner Wolgemuth then moved and Commissioner Sender seconded a motion to recommend approval of an Outdoor Special Event Liquor License to the DuPage County Fair Association in connection with the DuPage County Fair to be held July 27th thru the 31st. On a voice vote, all voted aye. VI. ADJOURNMENT The meeting was adjourned at 8:05 P.M. Respectfully submitted, James P. Kozik, AICP Director of Planning and Economic Development