Local Liquor Commission

November 14, 2019 I. CALL TO ORDER AND ROLL CALL VOTE Planning and Economic Development Director Kozik called the November 14, 2019 meeting of the Local Liquor Control Commission meeting to order at 7:00 P.M. in the City Council Chambers of the Wheaton City Hall, 303 West Wesley Street. Upon roll call, the following were present: Commissioner Brown, Commissioner Pearse, Commissioner Wolgemuth. Absent: Chair Taylor and Commissioner Sender. City Staff Present: James P. Kozik, Director of Planning and Economic Development. Commissioner Wolgemuth moved and Commissioner Brown seconded a motion to nominate Commissioner Pearse as Chair Pro-Tem. On a voice vote, all voted aye. II. PUBLIC COMMENT There was no public comment. III. APPROVAL OF MINUTES – October 10, 2019 Commissioner Brown moved and Commissioner Wolgemuth seconded a motion to approve the minutes of the October 10, 2019 Local Liquor Control Commission meeting as submitted. On a voice vote, all voted aye. IV. NEW BUSINESS APPLICATION FOR OUTDOOR SPECIAL EVENT LIQUOR LICENSE / DOWNTOWN WHEATON ASSOCIATION / “LET’S WINE ABOUT WINTER” / WINE WALK Ms. Paula Barrington, Executive Director of the Downtown Wheaton Association, was in attendance to present an application for an Outdoor Special Event Liquor License in connection with the Downtown Wheaton Association’s third annual “Let’s Wine About Winter” Wine Walk, to be held on Saturday, January 25, 2020 from 3 PM to 6:30 PM to the Commission. Ms. Barrington stated that this DWA fundraising event is planned as a ticketed wine tasting event. The DWA will sell tasting tickets ($25 for 12- one ounce tastings) to the public on-line and at the check in area to be held at Martin Memorial Plaza or at an alternate location (depending on the weather) on the day of the event. All ticket holders will check in, be carded and receive a wristband (must be 21 years or older); receive their tasting ticket (to be worn on a lanyard), souvenir wine glass, and a walking map of all the tasting locations. WHEATON LIQUOR CONTROL COMMISSION MEETING November 14, 2019 She stated that 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 two wines offered for tastings. 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. Ms. Barrington stated that 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 allowed outside. At each tasting station, a tray of appetizers will be available to participants to enjoy. Glass rinsing stations (portable water coolers and buckets to catch the water) will be located on the sidewalk at Main and Front, Hale and Front, and Hale and Wesley. A DJ will be providing a selection of jazz and soft rock music at the “W” Plaza located on Front Street adjacent to Naperville Running Company. Chair Pro-Tem Pearse questioned whether or not the DWA has had any problems at previous events. Ms. Barrington stated no. Hearing no further questions or comments, Commissioner Wolgemuth then moved and Commissioner Brown seconded a motion to recommend approval of the DWA’s request for an Outdoor Special Event Liquor License to the City Council. On a roll call vote, all voted aye. APPLICATION FOR CLASS I LIQUOR LICENSE AMENDMENT / APPROVAL OF A LIMITED MENU / LE DONNE LLC DBA SOGNO Ms. Rosaria Migliaccio, owner of Le Donne LLC DBA Sogno, was in attendance to present an application for an amendment to the requirements of the Class I liquor license classification which would allow for the approval of a limited menu for lunch in addition to after 11:00 p.m. and to approve of a limited menu for Le Donne LLC dba as Sogno, 100 N. Hale Street to the Commission. Ms. Migliaccio stated that currently, the Liquor Control Commission may only approve a limited for a Class I licensee after 11:00 p.m. Ms. Migliaccio stated that Le Donne LLC dba as Sogno wishes to expand their restaurant into existing ground floor space that was previously occupied by a small retail clothing boutique. She stated that they plan to serve lunch in this space as well as it serving as alternate seating during the restaurant’s evening hours. The space will have access to the main restaurant (restrooms, kitchen, etc.) through a double-sided elevator. She stated that Le Donne LLC dba Sogno previously tried serving lunch in their main dining room, but it was too costly to sustain due to staffing and the restaurant’s large size. Members of the Commission discussed the proposal and stated they felt adequate measures are in place to ensure the responsible sale of alcohol in the space. Hearing no further questions or comments, Commissioner Brown then moved and Commissioner Wolgemuth seconded a motion to recommend approval of the applicant’s request for the proposed amendment and limited menu to the City Council. On a voice vote, all voted aye. WHEATON LIQUOR CONTROL COMMISSION MEETING November 14, 2019 CLASS W LIQUOR LICENSE AMENDMENT / APPLICATION FOR A CLASS W LICENSE / ASH- CULHANE LLC DBA WESTSIDE IMPROV Mr. Jeff Ash, owner of Ash-Culhane LLC dba Westside Improv was in attendance to present an amendment to the requirements of the Class W liquor license classification and an application for a Class W liquor license to the Commission. Mr Ash stated that Westside Improv currently operates a performing arts facility in lower level space at 123 W. Front Street and recently the business signed a lease for ground floor space that has become available in the same building at 125 W. Front Street. As part of their business expansion, Mr. Ash stated that Westside Improv is seeking a Class W liquor license. Mr. Kozik stated that the Class W liquor license classification was originally created for the Wheaton Grand Theatre when live performances were held there. The limitations and restrictions of that license classification were created for the business model of the Wheaton Grand Theater at that time. Mr. Kozik stated that Westside Improv is proposing two changes to the text of the Class W license; allowing the sale of liquor for one hour after the show in leu of the current 1/2 hour and deleting paragraph B which did not permit seating in the lobby or foyer of the business. Westside Improv wishes to have seating in the lobby or foyer for customers waiting for shows. Members of the Commission discussed the proposed request and felt it was appropriate. Hearing no further questions or comments, Commissioner Brown then moved and Commissioner Wolgemuth seconded a motion to recommend approval of the applicant’s request for the proposed amendment and Class W license to the City Council. On a voice vote, all voted aye. V. MISCELLANEOUS BUSINESS There was no miscellaneous business. VI. ADJOURNMENT The meeting was adjourned at 7:25 P.M. Respectfully submitted, James P. Kozik, AICP Director of Planning and Economic Development