HomeMy WebLinkAbout2009-07-13 09-242 ORDERCOUNCIL ACTION
Item No.
Date: 7-13-09 ► 4 2
Item/Subject: Order — Adopting the Liquor License Processing Policy
Responsible Department: City Clerk
Commentary: Past practice of liquor license renewal processing has been to place the
completed application at the end of the City Councilor's desk and send it down the line for
Councilors' signatures; however, when issued have been raised regarding a particular
applicant's renewal, the item has been placed on the agenda for discussion under new
business. Many of the businesses that have been placed on the agenda for discussion have
been for Class X and Class XI (lounge/bar) establishments.
Earlier this year, the City Council expressed an interest in formalizing this process. The policy
concept was reviewed by the Finance Committee. A draft policy has been discussed and
approved by the Government Operations Committee (the City Clerk's office was shifted from the
Finance Committee to the Government Operations Committee).
The proposed policy states that all liquor license renewals will be placed on the Council agenda.
The renewals that have received all departmental approvals will be placed on the Consent
Agenda. All Class X and Class XI, and any applications that have not received all departmental
approvals will be placed on the Council agenda under new business for discussion. Applicants
will be notified of the date of the Council meeting so that they have the ability to be present
should any questions arise. In addition, departments that have not given approval for a license
renewal will be asked to attend the Council meeting to provide an explanation as to why the
application did not receive approval.
The procedure for processing new liquor license applications is unchanged.
Department Head
Manager's Comments: This has been reviewed by Government Operations Committee,
recommends your approval. ',, , /
Associated Information: Order, Policy
Budget Approval:
Legal Approval:
Introduced for
Passage
First Reading
Referral
Finance Director
Z.411A0
City Solicitor
Page _of_
09 242
Assigned To Councilor - Gratwick July 13, 2009
CITY OF BANGOR
(TITLE.) ORDER, Adopting Liquor License Processing Policy
By the City Council of the City of Bangor.
ORDERED,
THAT the attached Liquor License Processing Policy is hereby adopted.
IN CITY COUNCIL
July 13, 2009
Motion Made and Seconded for Passage
# 09-242
(TITLE) Adopting 7 i gnnr T i rpnnp Froregsing
Assigned to Councilor
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Liquor License Processing Policy
1.0 Purpose
v9 X44
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 premise
must complete and submit the required application forms and pay the license
and advertising fees.
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 on premise alcohol are also required
by state law to have a food vendor license (victualer's license).
3.1.3 Departmental Approvals
Approvals must be received from Treasury, Sewer, Code Enforcement, Fire
Inspection, and Police before the license may be approved.
3.1.4 Public Hearing Process
A public hearing is required for a new liquor license. This requires an ad to
run in the local newspaper for three consecutive days before the Council
meeting at which the hearing is held.
3.1.5 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 New Business.
Applicants will be asked to attend the Council meeting in the event that
questions should arise regarding the applicant or their application.
3.1.6 Finalizing the License
Once approved and signed by Council, the applicant must submit the signed
state application and the associated fees to the State Licensing Division in
Hallowell.
A 242
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 Public Hearing Process
A public hearing is not required for a liquor license renewal and will generally
appear on the Council's Consent agenda; however, all Class X and Class XI
licenses and 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.
3.2.5 Council Agenda
Applicants for licenses that appear under new business on the Council
Agenda, along with representatives from the department(s) that have not
given approval, if any, will be asked to attend the Council meeting.
3.2.6 Finalizing the License
Once approved and signed by Council, 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 July 24, 2009.