Village of Western Springs General Government Committee met July 8.
Here is the minutes provided by the committee:
This public meeting was held using the Zoom on-line platform as authorized by the CDC directive of no more than 10 persons in attendance at a group meeting and Illinois Governor Disaster Proclamation dated May 29, 2020, and Executive Order 2020-38 implementing Phase 3 of the "Restore Illinois" Plan and Executive Order 2020-39, extending the Governor's prior Executive Orders relating to the COVID-19 pandemic.
Present Chair Tyrrell, Member Chen, Village President Gallagher, Village Manager Velkme, Directors Baer and Scott, Village Attorney Jurusik, and Jennifer Gallery, Attorney for Lou Malnati
Chair Tyrrell moved to open the committee meeting, seconded by Member Chen. The motion passed on a roll call vote. Voting aye: Chair Tyrrell and Member Chen. The General Government Committee meeting was called to order at 11:30 a.m.
Agenda Items
1. Public Comment
There were no public comments.
2. Approval of Minutes
Chair Tyrrell moved, seconded by Committee Member Chen, to approve the minutes of the meeting of June 17, 2020 as read. The motion passed on a roll call vote. Voting aye: Chair Tyrrell and Member Chen. Voting nay: None.
3. Potential Liquor Control Ordinance Amendments
Director Scott presented a request from Lou Malnati's for permission to sell packaged beer at their Garden Market location. This location is carry-out and delivery only with no indoor seating. Delivery of alcohol was not mentioned in the request and is not being considered at this time.
The purpose of the request is similar to the goal of the Class "G" (Fine wine, spirits and gourmet food) license. The convenience of picking up a pizza or other food and to also buy wine or beer is expected in most communities (and especially in the City of Chicago). Our local restaurants have proven that this can be done properly and safely. Ms. Gallery explained the request in greater detail. Western Springs would be a pilot location for this offering. A new class of license will be needed. If the committee concurs with the request, Director Scott said the Liquor Commission could concurrently consider a new license class, which requires code amendments, as well as the application from Lou Malnati's for issuance of same. Lou Malnati's has this carryout component in the City of Chicago as well as certain full liquor license suburban locations, so the Lou Malnati corporate office has trained employees on this type of liquor license and how to
implement and correctly manage it.
Chair Tyrrell moved, seconded by Member Chen, to recommend a proposed ordinance change and to issue said license to Lou Malnati's if the Liquor Commission agrees with the request. Voting aye: Chair Tyrrell and Member Chen. Voting nay: None. Chair Tyrrell will report to the Board at the next meeting scheduled on July 13, 2020 regarding this recommendation.
Director Scott presented information on a proposed amendment to the liquor code regarding live entertainment. The DCO and typical liquor license ordinances currently prohibit live entertainment within outdoor dining areas. Many restaurants have speakers with music provided by subscription or another source. There have been no complaints about this music since it is controlled responsibly.
Over the years there have been requests for live entertainment in the form of a guitarist to play on a patio or sidewalk. With current regulations and ordinance restrictions, staff has no choice but to deny the requests. In some cases, live music was moved indoors. Hash Stacks recently had a full band (or 4-5 musicians) play indoors. There were no complaints made to Director Scott. The Village could also consider the possibility of allowing live music as a pilot program for the remainder of the summer (or summer 2021) and re-evaluate afterwards. Sensitivity to residential neighbors with outdoor cafes are a consideration when issuing a temporary use permit for this type of use which can be regulated with curfews and screening and buffering techniques. After committee discussion, it was determined that discussion by the Zoning Board as well as the Liquor Commission in the next month or so would make sense. The committee concurs with this approach. A report back to the committee will be provided. A decision on whether to pilot this program this summer or in the fall will be considered as well as tying this change to the outdoor dining season.
Director Scott mentioned that he received a request from several restaurant owners about the possibility of distilling in restaurants as well as microbrewing. Attorney Jurusik said distilling is prohibited by State law. Village Manager Velkme asked Director Scott to provide the committee with more information on the microbrewing request once that is available.
4. Advisory Referendum Questions
Village Attorney Jurusik discussed the need for the Board to approve a resolution in July to place the proposed advisory referendum question on whether to allow the sale of cannabis by recreational use cannabis dispensaries within the Village of Western Springs. This question is important because the Board, as part of its adoption of Ordinance No. 19-2979, at the November 25, 2019 Village Board meeting, imposed a temporary moratorium on the cannabis business regulation. A Tower Topics article will explain the question before the voters on recreational cannabis. Discussion about possible other
topics to consider along with question #1 on the November 3, 2020 has been ongoing. It was determined that another advisory question will not be put forth at this time. There are many topics which the Board would like public input on including stormwater and water production, 5G, road and sewer improvements, however, we do not have enough information to be in a position to place a succinct and clear question or questions on the November ballot at this time. Referendums can be done in any election. Given the pandemic, which has changed many priorities, a revision of the Village's strategic plan to refocus plans will be coming in early fall. Director Baer said a citizen survey also will be conducted next year. The last one was conducted in 2015.
5. Village Club Raffle License Request
Deputy Clerk Haeske received a raffle license application today from Frank Schimmel on behalf of the Village Club. They want to start a drawing on September 1 which would be held weekly with proceeds up to $100,000. Village Manager Velkme asked Deputy Clerk Haeske to see if this raffle was a "Queen of Hearts" type and she confirmed that is the intention. The Village denied Nazareth Academy's request for a Queen of Hearts raffle in October 2018. Village Manager Velkme would like Chief Budds' department to weigh in on this request. The committee briefly reviewed the submittal and have requested that Mr. Schimmel or another representative of the Village Club join the next General Government Committee to provide more information about this request and the intent of the Village Club representatives with the raffle proceeds. Deputy Clerk Haeske will provide Mr. Schimmel with information about the next committee meeting so that he can participate.
6. Schedule Next Committee Meeting
The Board has meetings scheduled on July 13 and 27 as well as August 17, 2020. The General Government Committee set their next meeting on Thursday, August 6,2020,at 11:45 a.m.
7. Adjourn
With no further business to discuss, Chair Tyrrell moved, seconded by Member Chen, to adjourn the committee meeting at 12:20 p.m.
The motion passed on a roll call vote. Voting aye: Chair Tyrrell and Member Chen. Voting nay: None.
https://www.wsprings.com/AgendaCenter/ViewFile/Minutes/_07082020-1075
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