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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 A�W-? 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.