City of Peoria Liquor Commission met October 2.

By Angelica Saylo Pilo

Nov 12, 2017

City of Peoria Liquor Commission met Oct. 2.

Here is the agenda provided by the Commission:

A meeting of the City of Peoria Liquor Commission was held in Room 404, City Hall, 419 Fulton Street, Peoria, Illinois, on October 2, 2017, Chairman Pro Tem Cassidy presiding, with proper notice having been posted.

ROLL CALL:

Present: Commissioners: Drew Cassidy, Camille Coates, Mike O’Brien - 3;

Absent: Chairman Mike Miller - 1.

Others present: Deputy Liquor Commissioner Eric Turner; Law Clerk Cristy Ramirez; Assistant City Attorney Melodi Green; Liquor Investigator Kevin Slavens; Fire Captain Stan Taylor; Deputy Clerk Trina

Bonds; concerned citizens and media.

I. CALL TO ORDER

Chairman Pro Tem Cassidy called the meeting to order at 3:30 p.m.

II. APPROVAL OF MINUTES

Commissioner O’Brien moved to approve the Minutes of the August 7, 2017, Liquor Commission Meeting, as outlined; seconded by Commissioner Coates.

Approved by roll call vote:

Yeas: Cassidy, Coates, O’Brien - 3;

Nays: None;

Abstention: None.

III. LIQUOR SITE APPLICATIONS

Chairman Pro Tem Cassidy read the amendment to Section 3-57, which will be read at the beginning of every Liquor Commission Meeting.

“The Liquor Commission is a recommending body with respect to site approval. Our function is to determine if the location of an establishment is appropriate for the class of liquor license being requested and then make a recommendation to the City Council as to whether the application should be approved or denied. The City Council makes the final decision.

Under Section 3-57 of the Code of the City of Peoria any misrepresentation or false statement made to either this Commission or the City Council relating to the proposed business to be operated on the site can result in a denial of your liquor license; suspension and/or revocation of a license if already issued, and a fine of up to $1,000.”

17-14 Mi Familia Restaurant Corporation d/b/a Mi Familia Restaurant 2007 N. Wisconsin Requesting: Class G-B (beer & wine only restaurant)

Abraham Serratos, Mi Familia Restaurant Representative, and Nicolas Nieto, Owner, presented a Site Application for a Class G-B (beer & wine only restaurant) Liquor License at 2007 N. Wisconsin.

For the record, an email that was submitted in opposition to the request from a property owner of properties on E. Kansas St. was shared with the Commission, Staff and the applicant.

In discussion with Chairman Pro Tem Cassidy, Mr. Serratos gave a brief overview of the request. He said their hours of operation were from 11:00 a.m. to 8:00 p.m., six days per week instead of seven, due to a shortage of staff. He said they would not have a bar in the restaurant and he said they only wanted to serve beer with meals.

In response to a question from Commissioner O’Brien, Mr. Serratos said they wanted to provide beer only and he said there wouldn’t be any other types of liquor served.

Liquor Investigator Slavens pointed out that the Class G-B liquor license would allow the restaurant to sell beer and wine for on-site consumption only. He went on to say that the liquor ordinance did not allow for any packaged liquor sales for that specific class.

Hearing no more questions, Chairman Pro Tem Cassidy called for the motion.

Commissioner O’Brien moved to recommend approval of the Site Application for a Class G-B (beer and wine only restaurant) Liquor License at 2007 N. Wisconsin; seconded by Commissioner Coates.

Approved by roll call vote. Yeas: Cassidy, Coates, O’Brien - 3; Nays: None.

Chairman Pro Tem Cassidy stated this recommendation would be heard at the City Council Meeting to be held on Tuesday, October 24, 2017, at 6:00 p.m. and a representative of this establishment should be present at that meeting.

17-15 Round One Entertainment Inc.

d/b/a Round One 2200 W. War Memorial Dr. Requesting: Class K (rental hall)

Scott Endow, Business Development Manager, and Harlan Powell, Attorney, presented a Site Application for a Class K (rental hall) Liquor License at 2200 W. War Memorial Dr.

In discussion with Chairman Pro Tem Cassidy, Attorney Powell explained that his client wasn’t exactly certain about which Liquor License Class they should apply for. He said after working with the City Clerk’s office, they decided the Class K (rental hall) would be a better fit for their particular operations.

For clarification, Deputy Clerk Bonds explained that the Class K (rental) Liquor License was the same class that was used for another establishment with similar functions in the city of Peoria.

In more discussion, Attorney Powell gave a brief description of the entertainment at the proposed site. He said it would be a large entertainment facility with activities including a bowling alley, karaoke, arcade games, etc.

In response to a question from Commissioner O’Brien, Mr. Endow said their hours of operation would be daily from 10:00 a.m. to 2:00 a.m. Deputy Clerk Bonds clarified that under the requested Liquor License, the establishment could only remain open until 1:00 a.m. She said the applicant had to apply to add a Subclass 1A (2:00 closing hours) in order to remain open until 2:00 a.m. on Friday, Saturday and Sunday.

During further discussion with Commissioner Coates, Mr. Endow said the construction was 80% completed. He said they had planned to open in November before Thanksgiving.

Chairman Pro Tem Cassidy asked how they planned to serve the alcohol. In response, Mr. Endow said alcohol would only be served at an open bar inside the facility. He further explained that the bar was not separate. Attorney Powell said that the setup for this facility would be similar to another location they had in a mall setting in Aurora.

Discussion took place in regards to security for the facility. Mr. Endow said they had planned to hire outside security. He said security would be there from 7:00 p.m. to 3:00 a.m. to man the doors of the establishment.

Chairman Pro Tem Cassidy pointed out the Community Development Department’s concerns and he said they needed to be addressed before a Liquor License could be issued. Attorney Powell expressed that they intended to comply with all of the issues that were brought forward. He said they planned to work with the Landlord to address the items that were specific to the site.

Senior Urban Planner Naven explained that the Community Development Department’s recommendation was based on the fact that the applicant had to address any areas that were within their control and the remainder would be handled by the Landlord.

Hearing no more questions, Chairman Pro Tem Cassidy called for the motion.

Commissioner Coates moved to recommend approval of the Site Application for a Class K (rental hall) Liquor License, contingent upon the successful completion of the requirements of the Community Development Department; seconded by Commissioner O’Brien.

Approved by roll call vote. Yeas: Cassidy, Coates, O’Brien - 3; Nays: None.

17-16 Moja Maizo, LLC d/b/a Moja Southern Kitchen 301 N. MacArthur Requesting: Class B (restaurant, 50% food)

Eric Montgomery, Part Owner, and Pat Robinson, Part Owner, presented a request to approve a Site Application for a Class B (restaurant, 50% food) Liquor License at 301 N. MacArthur.

In discussion with Chairman Pro Tem Cassidy in regard to the objection from the Finance Dept., Mr. Robinson reported the restaurant had been open for the past three months. He said after receiving the comments, he had visited the Accounts Receivables Dept. to obtain information regarding their restaurant taxes. He further stated that they were in the process of addressing those concerns.

During more discussion, Mr. Robinson said their hours of operation were from 7:00 a.m. to 7:00 p.m. on Monday thru Saturday, and 8:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. on Sunday. He said they also occasionally hosted private dinner parties. He said initially, they had not planned to serve alcohol at their establishment because they also have an ice cream parlor inside the restaurant. He said there had been several requests from customers to purchase wine to accompany their meals, therefore, they wanted to fulfill that service. He said they would not have a bar in the establishment and he said they had planned to provide table service only.

In response to the Police Department’s stipulation prohibiting packaged sales for off-site consumption, both Mr. Montgomery and Mr. Robinson reassured the Commission that they had no desire to sell packaged liquor for off-site consumption.

Chairman Pro Tem Cassidy pointed out that the Community Development Department also had concerns that needed to be addressed. Mr. Robinson reported that they were now in compliance and he shared photos with Senior Urban Planner Naven showing the garbage dumpster had been enclosed and also the new handicap parking space signs with a $350 fine.

Hearing no more questions, Chairman Pro Tem Cassidy called for the motion.

Commissioner O’Brien moved to recommend approval of the Site Application for a Class B (restaurant, 50% food) Liquor License at 301 N. MacArthur Hwy, contingent upon the compliance with all Staff concerns; seconded by Commissioner Coates.

Approved by roll call vote. Yeas: Cassidy, Coates, O’Brien - 3; Nays: None.

17-17 Target Corporation d/b/a Target 5001 N. Big Hollow Road Requesting: Class C-1 (packaged goods) Subclass 6 (product tasting)

Thomas Signore, Store Manager, presented a request to approve a Site Application for a Class C-1 (packaged goods) Liquor License, with a Subclass 6 (product tasting) at 5001 N. Big Hollow Road.

In discussion with Chairman Cassidy, Mr. Signore said they were expanding their grocery assortment department and they wanted to add liquor. He said they would add one aisle of wine and another one of beer and other liquor. He said approximately 95% of their inventory would be beer and wine. He further stated that they also had vendors who had requested to do product tastings.

Chairman Pro Tem Cassidy pointed out that there were a number of concerns submitted by the Community Development Department. Mr. Signore commented that a number of the items mentioned pertained to the overall site of the shopping center. It was suggested that he work with the Landlord and the Community Development Department to review and to come up with a resolution all of the concerns stated.

After more comments, Mr. Signore said he would meet with Senior Urban Planner Naven after the meeting to discuss the Community Development Department’s comments.

Hearing no more questions, Chairman Pro Tem Cassidy called for the motion.

Commissioner Coates moved to recommend approval of the Site Application for a Class C-1 (packaged goods) Liquor License, with a Subclass 6 (product tasting) at 5001 N. Big Hollow Road, contingent upon the compliance with all City of Peoria Codes; seconded by Commissioner O’Brien.

Approved by roll call vote. Yeas: Cassidy, Coates, O’Brien - 3; Nays: None.

17-18 Bearded Owl Brewing, LLC d/b/a Bearded Owl Brewing 112 State St., Suite A Requesting: Class A (tavern) Subclass 3 (beer garden)

Chairman Pro Tem Cassidy recused himself from the discussion and the vote on Liquor Case No. 17-18, due to a business relationship with Bearded Owl Brewing, LLC. He invited Deputy Liquor Commissioner Turner to sit in for discussion in order to have a quorum.

Nicholas Babcock, Co-Owner, and Paul Hoehne, Co-Owner, presented a request to approve a Site Application for a Class A (tavern) Liquor License, with a Subclass 3 (beer garden) at 112 State St., Suite A.

In discussion with Chairwoman Pro Tem Coates, Mr. Babcock said during the week on Tuesday thru Friday, their hours of operation were from 3:00 p.m. to 10:00 p.m. He said on weekends their hours of operation would be from 3:00 p.m. to 12:00 midnight. Mr. Hoehne said they might remain open until 1:00 a.m. on busy nights.

In response to a question from Chairwoman Pro Tem Coates, Mr. Babcock said their projected opening date would be anywhere from mid-November to mid-December.

In discussion with Commissioner O’Brien, Mr. Babcock said they wanted to sell packaged liquor of their product only. He said initially they wanted to open the tavern with a full service bar and beer garden. He said they would open the kitchen at a later time.

Hearing no more questions, Chairwoman Pro Tem Coates called for the motion.

Commissioner O’Brien moved to recommend approval of the Site Application for a Class A (tavern) Liquor License, with a Subclass 3 (beer garden) at contingent upon the compliance with all City of Peoria Codes; seconded by Deputy Liquor Commissioner Turner.

Approved by roll call vote. Yeas: Coates, O’Brien, Turner - 3; Nays: None - 0; Abstention: Cassidy -1.

Chairwoman Pro Tem Coates stated this recommendation would be heard at the City Council Meeting to be held on Tuesday, October 24, 2017, at 6:00 p.m. and a representative of this establishment should be present at that meeting.

IV. NEW BUSINESS

DISCUSSION ON AMENDMENT TO CHAPTER 3 – 15-DAY LIQUOR LICENSE

Chairman Pro Tem Cassidy briefly spoke in favor of a pending amendment to Chapter 3 in regards to the authorization to purchase and use a 15-day Liquor License. He gave a brief background and he said the proposed changes would be beneficial to the Peoria Mustangs and other athletic groups who wished to offer liquor for purchase during their seasonal home games. He explained that the new Class F-1 Liquor License would allow not-for-profit organizations the opportunity to purchase a license for up to three Saturday night events within the same licensing period.

V. NEXT SCHEDULED MEETING

The next scheduled regular meeting of the Liquor Commission is Monday, November 6, 2017.

LIQUOR COMMISSION – October 2, 2017

VI. ADJOURNMENT

Commissioner O’Brien moved to adjourn the meeting; seconded by Commissioner Coates.

Approved by viva voce vote.

The Liquor Commission Meeting adjourned at 4:00 p.m.

http://www.peoriagov.org/content/uploads/2012/11/Minutes-10-2-17_1509722045_add.pdf

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