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Crime & Safety

COW Quick Story: Aldermen Recommend Major Overhaul to Liquor-Control Codes

After months of work, the city comes up with liquor-control regulations that appear to work for merchants and for law enforcers.

No law is perfect, but based solely on comments at Monday night's Committee of the Whole meeting, a lot of folks seem pleased with the city's efforts to overhaul its liquor-control codes.

The City Council Committee of the Whole voted unanimously to recommend the revised set of regulations Monday night. The full council must vote to approve the measure.

The amendments to the City Code were put together after months of discussions by city officials, individual merchants, Chamber of Commerce members and law enforcers.

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Regulations came under scrutiny after police tents at The Little Traveler and other establishments at the 2010 Festival of the Vine. 

First Ward Alderman Sam Hill complimented city officials and a team of officers led by Sgt. Mike Frieders.

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"I think the city administrators and Police Department did a wonderful job of making it easier for local businesses to be successful and abide by the laws," he said.

Among the highlights, the City Code amendments would:

  • Expand or create liquor licenses for resorts, hotels, motels and bed-and-breakfast establishements.
  • Create a new BYOB license.
  • Create a new outdoor seating license for alcohol served outdoors.
  • Expand the time frame for temporary license applications to any time during the fiscal year up to 30 days prior to the event.

Geneva businessman Joe Stanton served as the Chamber of Commerce liaison and helped communicate concerns expressed by the business community.

"It’s 42 very boring pages. To understand (the amendments), you sometimes have to read them a third, fourth, fifth or sixth time. But all of our questions were addressed, each and every time," he said.

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