Huntley Liquor Commission backs Lucky Bernie's license request

By Louie Torres

Sep 19, 2016

The Huntley Liquor Commission met Aug. 11.

Here are the meeting minutes as provided by Huntley:

CALL TO ORDER:

A meeting of the Huntley Liquor Commission was called to order on Thursday, Aug. 11, 2016, at 7:00 p.m. in the Municipal Complex, Village Board Room, 10987 Main St., Huntley.

ATTENDANCE:

PRESENT: Chairman Charles Sass; Commissioners: Ronda Goldman, Tim Hoeft, Niko Kanakaris, Harry Leopold and JR Westberg.

ABSENT: Commissioner John Piwko

IN ATTENDANCE: Village Manager David Johnson, Assistant Village Manager Lisa Armour, Management Assistant Barbara Read and Village Attorney John Cowlin.

PUBLIC COMMENTS: None

ITEMS FOR CONSIDERATION:

A. Consideration of an Ordinance Amending the Huntley Code of Ordinances – Business Regulations, Alcoholic Beverages Chapter 110l Section 110.24 ? Limitation on Licenses - Adding one Class “A” License – Liquor Control Ordinance

Chairman Sass reported that the village of Huntley regulates the sale of alcoholic beverages in the Village through its Liquor Control Ordinance which provides for the issuance of certain classes of liquor licenses and establishes the number of licenses available in each class.

Staff Analysis

Consideration is being requested to amend the Liquor Control Ordinance to make available fourteen (14) Class “A” licenses instead of thirteen (13) in order to provide for the application from Cuhlife LLC Huntley d/b/a Lucky Bernie’s; 9800 Route 47. The application has been reviewed by Staff and all is in order for consideration.

The Class “A” license shall permit the retail sale on the premises specified, of alcoholic liquor, for consumption on the premises, as well as other retail sale of alcoholic liquor in the original package.

Listed below are the current licensed establishments with a Class “A” license:

1. Bricks & Ivy LLC d/b/a Parkside Pub

2. Brunch Cafe

3. Jameson’s Restaurant

4. Offie’s Tap

5. Pub 47

6. Sal’s Pizzeria

7. Sammy’s Restaurant

8. Soula’s Village Inn

9. Starbucks

10. Tee 2 Green Indoor Golf LLC

11. Triple K & B; d/b/a Rookies 3

12. Millie’s

13. Taco Loco

Financial Impact

The fee received for a yearly Class “A” License is $950.00.

Legal Analysis

Section 110.24 of the Village Code of Ordinances limits the number of available licenses in each class. There is no available Class “A” license; therefore, if the Liquor Commission elects to issue a license to Cuhlife LLC Huntley the Commission must create one (1) additional Class “A” license.

Chairman Sass asked the Commission if they had any comments or questions; there were none.

A MOTION was made to approve an Ordinance Amending the Huntley Code of Ordinances – Business Regulations, Alcoholic Beverages, Chapter 110, Section 110.24 – Limitation on Licenses, Adding one (1) Class “A” License – Liquor Control Ordinance.

MOTION: Commissioner Leopold

SECOND: Commissioner Kanakaris

AYES: Commissioners: Goldman, Hoeft, Kanakaris, Leopold and Westberg

NAYS: None

ABSENT: Commissioner Piwko

The Motion Carried: 5-0-1

B. Consideration of an Ordinance Approving the Issuance of a Class “A” Liquor License to Cuhlife LLC Huntley d/b/a Lucky Bernie’s; 9800 Route 47, Unit B

Chairman Sass reported that the Village of Huntley regulates the sale of alcoholic beverages in the Village through its Liquor Control Ordinance, which provides for the issuance of certain classes of liquor licenses and establishes the number of licenses available in each class.

Staff Analysis

The Village is in receipt of an application for a Class “A” liquor license from Ms. Kathleen Leavitt and Mr. Bryan Sterbenz of Cuhlife LLC Huntley d/b/a Lucky Bernie’s (Lucky Bernie’s) to open a signature wine deli, featuring Boars Head meat, at 9800 Route 47, Unit B. Video gaming is expected to be applied for after the deli is opened.

All documents required have been submitted with the exception of the State Liquor License. This is not uncommon to be waiting on the State’s approval while asking for approval from the local Liquor Commission. The Liquor Commission can approve the Class “A” liquor license with the condition of approval being that Lucky Bernie’s must provide a certified copy (proof) that they obtained a State Liquor License before the Village’s liquor license becomes effective.

Financial Impact

The yearly fee of $950 for the liquor license has been received and deposited to 01-00-1-4120 / Liquor License revenue line item.

Legal Analysis

Section 110 of the Village Code of Ordinances regulates liquor sales in the Village. The application has been reviewed and is in compliance with Section 110: Alcoholic Beverages requirements.

Chairman Sass asked if the Commission had any comments or questions; there were none.

A MOTION was made to Approve and Issue a Class “A” Liquor License to Cuhlife LLC Huntley d/b/a Lucky Bernie’s; 9800 Route 47, Unit B subject to the following condition of approval:

1. Petitioner must show proof of the State of Illinois Liquor Licenses before the Village of Huntley Class “A” Liquor License becomes effective.

MOTION: Commissioner Leopold

SECOND: Commissioner Kanakaris

AYES: Commissioners: Goldman, Hoeft, Kanakaris, Leopold and Westberg

NAYS: None

ABSENT: Commissioner Piwko

The Motion Carried: 5-0-1

EXECUTIVE SESSION: None

POSSIBLE ACTION ON ANY CLOSED SESSION ITEMS: None

OTHER BUSINESS: None.

ADJOURNMENT:

There being no further business to discuss, a MOTION was made to adjourn the hearing at 7:02 p.m.