HomeMy WebLinkAbout2020-05-11 20-160 Order
05/11/202020-160
05/11/2020
20-160
City Clerk
Order
N/A
Title, Order
Amending the Liquor License Processing Policy
This Order will amend the Liquor License Processing Policy to streamline the current procedure for
approving extensions to current liquor licenses and to bring the policy into line with current practices.
As the City prepares for the re-opening of restaurants, it may be necessary or desirable for businesses
to offer outside seating in order to adhere to CDC guidelines on social distancing. The amendment will
allow the City Clerk to sign requests for expansions of the area of an business's liquor license once all
necessary department approvals have been granted. This could include, for example, the use of an
outdoor seating area across the street from the business. The change will expedite the process so that
businesses do not have to wait until the next Council meeting once departments have granted approval.
Several other changes would be made in order to clarify the policy and to bring it into line with current
practice. These changes include removing references to advertising and public hearings that are not
required, and allowing new licenses and renewals to go on the consent agenda unless a department
does not give the license its approval.
This Order addresses the Council goal of developing a vibrant and accessible waterfront, downtown,
and entertainment area to support arts, culture, and entertainment in Bangor and throughout the
region.
Recommend for passage
New Business
05/11/202020-160
CITY OF BANGOR ORDER
05/11/2020
20-160
Supica
Amending the Liquor License Processing Policy
WHEREAS, as the City prepares for the re-opening of restaurants, it may be necessary or desirable for
businesses to offer outside seating in order to adhere to CDC guidelines on social distancing;
WHEREAS, allowing the City Clerk to approve expansions of liquor license areas once departmental approvals
have been received would expedite this part of the liquor licensing process, while still maintaining sufficient
oversight; and
WHEREAS, several other changes to clarify the policy and to bring it into line with current practice are
warranted;
Be it Ordered by the City Council of the City of Bangor that,
The City's Liquor License Processing Policy is hereby amended by replacing it with the policy attached hereto.
This amended version replaces the policy approved by Council Order 09-242.
City of Bangor
LIQUOR LICENSE PROCESSING POLICY
1.0 Purpose
20-160
Revised: 5/11/2020
The purpose of this policy is to establish guidelines for the processing of new and
renewal liquor licenses for establishments within the City of Bangor that serve alcohol
on premises.
2.0 General Statement
The City recognizes that efficient liquor license processing is expected by business
establishments in the City. To that end, the City Clerk's office will work as a liaison
between the State of Maine Liquor Licensing Division, the various City departments, and
the applicant to facilitate the process.
3.0 Processing Policy
3.1 New Liquor Licenses
3.1.1 Application process.
New applicants who wish to open a business that will sell alcohol on
premises must complete and submit the required application forms and
pay the license fee. This new liquor license process also is required for
transferring a liquor license to a different location.
3.1.2 Other licenses required.
Establishments that serve alcohol must first apply for a Certificate of
Occupancy from the Code Enforcement Office prior to submitting
applications and payments. Establishments that sell alcohol for
consumption on premises are also required by state law to have a food
vendor license (victualer's license).
3.1.3 Department approvals.
Approvals must be received from Treasury, Sewer, Code Enforcement,
Fire Inspection, and Police before the license may be approved.
3.1.4 Council agenda.
Licenses that have received all the required departmental approvals by
the deadline for agenda submittals on the Wednesday prior to the
Council meeting will be placed on the Council agenda under Consent
Agenda. Any license that does not receive approval from any of the
required departments will appear under new business on the agenda to
allow for discussion. Applicants will be asked to attend the Council
meeting in the event that questions should arise regarding the applicant
or their application. If a department has not given approval, a
representative of that department will be asked to attend as well. No
public hearing is required.
3.1.5 Finalizing the license.
Once approved and signed by the Council, the applicant must submit the
signed state application and the associated fees to the State Licensing
Division in Hallowell.
3.2 Liquor License Renewals
3.2.1 Application process.
Establishments wishing to renew their liquor license must submit a
completed state application and the associated fee to the City Clerk's
office before the license expires. Recommended timeline for submittal is
one month before expiration, but no later than one week before
expiration.
3.2.2 Other licenses required.
Applicants must maintain a Certificate of Occupancy and other required
licenses.
3.2.3 Departmental approvals.
Approvals must be received from Treasury, Sewer, Code Enforcement,
Fire Inspection, and Police before the license may be approved.
3.2.4 Council agenda.
A public hearing is not required for a liquor license renewal and will
generally appear on the Council's consent agenda; however, any license
that does not receive approval from any of the required departments will
appear under new business on the agenda to allow for discussion.
Applicants for licenses that appear under new business on the Council
agenda, along with representatives from the departments that have not
given approval, if any, will be asked to attend the Council meeting.
3.2.5 Finalizing the license.
Once approved and signed by the Council, the applicant must submit the
signed state application and the associated fees to the State Licensing
Division in Hallowell.
3.3 Liquor License Expansion
3.3.1 Application process.
Establishments wishing to expand the area covered by their liquor license
must submit the required application forms to the City Clerk's office.
Establishments must also submit evidence of right, title and interest to
the area of expansion, such as an outdoor seating permit or lease
agreement.
3.3.2 Other requirements.
Any liquor license expansion area that is not adjacent to the original
liquor license area must be outdoors.
3.3.3 Departmental approvals.
Approvals must be received from Treasury, Sewer, Code Enforcement,
Fire Inspection, and Police before the expansion may be approved.
3.3.4 Public hearing process.
A public hearing is not required for a liquor license expansion.
3.3.5 City Clerk approval.
Upon receipt of departmental approvals, the City Clerk may approve and
sign liquor license expansions without Council action.
3.3.6. Finalizing the license.
Once approved and signed by the Clerk, the applicant must submit the
signed state application and the associated fees to the State Licensing
Division in Hallowell.
4.0 Effective Date
This policy will become effective on May 21, 2020. It replaces the liquor licensing policy
approved by Council Order 09-242.
IN CITY COUNCIL
MAY 11,2020
CO 20-160
Motion made and seconded for Passage
Vote: 8—0
Councilors Voting Yes: Fournier,Hawes,Nichols, Okafor, Schaefer, Sprague, Tremble, Davitt
Councilors Voting No: None
Passed
1
CITY LERIe