Local Liquor Commission

LOCAL LIQUOR CONTROL COMMISSION December 8, 2016 I. CALL TO ORDER AND ROLL CALL VOTE Chair Taylor called the December 8, 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 Pearse, Commissioner Sender, Chair Taylor. Absent: Commissioner Brown and 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 – August 11, 2016 Commissioner Pearse moved and Commissioner Sender seconded a motion to approve the minutes of the August 11, 2016 Local Liquor Control Commission meeting as submitted. On a voice vote, all voted aye. IV. NEW BUSINESS 2017 License Renewals – Section 6-90 of the Wheaton City Code Chair Taylor stated that pursuant to Section 6-90 of the Wheaton City Code, licensees found guilty of a violation must attend a liquor license renewal meeting before the Local Liquor Commission prior to a license renewal. Chair Tylor stated that this year, seven licensees’ pleaded guilty to charges that they sold liquor to a person under the age of 21 and were fined. Chair Taylor stated that these licensees’ are present this evening and that he would ask each one to state what steps have been taken since their violation to ensure that future violations do not occur. The Cellar Bistro, LLC d/b/a The Cellar Bistro Ms. Kathleen Lewis stated that she and her husband own the restaurant. Ms. Lewis stated that since the violation, she and her husband have tried to do a better job of hiring candidates that have greater experience in the restaurant business than in the past. Ms. Lewis stated that the new manager that they have hired is a career restaurant manager. E & D, Inc., d/b/a El Zarape Restaurant Mr. Eduardo Jimenez, owner of El Zarape, stated that since the violation, he has become more strict with his employees regarding “carding” of customers. Mr. Jimenez stated that two employees have been terminated because they have not followed the new policy.  Local Liquor Control Commission Meeting December 8, 2016 Page 2 of 3 Mr. Jimenez also stated that he has put a reward system in place for those employees that successfully pass their BASSET training. Commissioner Pearse stated that she likes the idea of a reward system. Gia Mia Wheaton, LLC d/b/a Gia Mia Pizza Bar Mr. Kyle Arnold, General Manager, stated that since their violation, the entire staff was BASSET retrained and the procedures for “carding” (anyone who appears under the age of 40) are discussed with staff on a daily basis. Mr. Arnold also stated that the restaurant also purchased a book which describes the appearance of out of state identification that may be used to purchase alcohol. The Irish Dores Group, LLC, d/b/a The Original Gino's East Pizzeria Mr. Jim Dolan, owner of Gino’s East, stated that since the violation he has had a lot more “one on one” meetings with his staff regarding liquor I.D. awareness. In addition, Mr. Dolan stated that his entire staff has been BASSET retrained. Ivy Restaurant Mr. Richard O’Gorman, owner of Ivy Restaurant, stated that since the violation he reminds his staff at every shift meeting about the importance of liquor I.D. awareness. Mr. O’Gorman stated that he has used the violation as a learning experience for his staff as he has shared with them the personal and business costs of a violation in terms of time, money, and reputation. Le Donne, LLC, d/b/a Sogno Ms. Rosaria Migliaccio, owner of Sogno, stated that since the violation her staff has been BASSET retrained and that she has daily reminders about the restaurants No I.D.; no service policy and weekly liquor I.D. awareness training in the restaurant. Donna Smith Creative Services, Inc. d/b/a Suzette's Creperie Ms. Donna Hesik, owner of Suzette’s Creperie, stated that since the violation she limits the number of employees at the restaurant who can serve liquor to the sommelier and bartender at night and only one server during the day. Chair Taylor then thanked the licensees for who were in attendance and for their efforts to insure they do not have a future violation. Commissioner Pearse then moved and Commissioner sender seconded a motion to recommend to the Liquor Commissioner that license renewals be granted to the seven licensees who appeared before the Commission today. The motion carried unanimously.  Local Liquor Control Commission Meeting December 8, 2016 Page 3 of 3 V. ADJOURNMENT The meeting was adjourned at 7:50 P.M. Respectfully submitted, James P. Kozik, AICP Director of Planning and Economic Development