MONROE - The City of Monroe Common Council tabled a vote on an ordinance that would organize and integrate new and old city codes on alcohol beverages, after Attorney Robert Duxstad, representing Monroe Tavern League, said new license quotas "reeks of not being fair," during a public hearing Tuesday.
A second motion sent the ordinance back to the Judiciary and Ordinance Review Committee.
Duxstad told council members that his clients were under the impression that changes in recent city policies would change only Class A packaged liquor and beer licenses.
Walmart sent a letter to council March 27, 2008, requesting the city expand its quota on Class A Fermented Malt Beverage and Liquor licenses.
Duxstad noted one member of the League who "worked hard and fast to get a (Class B) license and now to have new people get a license for $500 or a $10,000 (economic development) grant, it reeks of not being fair," he said.
The Common Council passed an ordinance amending alcohol beverage quotas, application procedures and grants May 5, following a public hearing.
The amendment separated Class A and B licenses, and set new quota limits for each.
Separating Class A and B licenses freed up one new Class B license for $500 and one reserve license for not less than $10,000, under Wisconsin state law.
An economic development grant of up to $10,000 was added, for the reserve license holder to make renovations to the premises, which follows similar actions of other municipalities.
The total number of premises issued Class B licenses for liquor or beer is limited to 25, set by state law.
Class A licenses, for packaged liquors and beers, is limited to 12 premises.
Restaurant fermented malt beverages and Class C wine licenses are limited to 12 premises also.
The council passed an ordinance in February 2007 restricting to 30 the combined total number of Class A and Class B fermented malt liquor licenses issued in the city.
Monroe had filled its Class A intoxicating liquor licenses at seven, and Class B intoxicating liquor licenses at 23.
Duxstad said there has been a "significant change to many ordinances," particularly the number of licenses available, and little public input to these changes.
Other changes made on alcohol licenses are "having a significant impact on license holders to keep and transfer their licenses," Duxstad said, which prompted him to request a month or two for individuals to look at the license issue.
City Attorney Rex Ewald clarified that the ordinance was only a reorganizing of previous ordinances passed, and was produced to "allow a full comprehensive set of rules," that would be easier to hand out to the public.
The amount of money paid to the city for all Class B licenses, except for the special reserve license fee set by the state, is the same for all license holders, he added.
"What Attorney Duxstad is talking about is market transference," Ewald said, referencing the added expense buyers pay to tavern owners to have the liquor license for the premises transferred to the new owner's name.
Alderman Paul Hannes made the motion to table the resolution on the ordinance, "to give the license holders time to confer" with Duxstad. Alderman Neal Hunter seconded the motion, which passed 9-1, with Alderman Thurston Hanson voting against.
Alderman Charles Koch then moved to have the ordinance sent back to the Judiciary & Ordinance Committee; seconded by Hunter and passed 9-1, with Hanson against.
A second motion sent the ordinance back to the Judiciary and Ordinance Review Committee.
Duxstad told council members that his clients were under the impression that changes in recent city policies would change only Class A packaged liquor and beer licenses.
Walmart sent a letter to council March 27, 2008, requesting the city expand its quota on Class A Fermented Malt Beverage and Liquor licenses.
Duxstad noted one member of the League who "worked hard and fast to get a (Class B) license and now to have new people get a license for $500 or a $10,000 (economic development) grant, it reeks of not being fair," he said.
The Common Council passed an ordinance amending alcohol beverage quotas, application procedures and grants May 5, following a public hearing.
The amendment separated Class A and B licenses, and set new quota limits for each.
Separating Class A and B licenses freed up one new Class B license for $500 and one reserve license for not less than $10,000, under Wisconsin state law.
An economic development grant of up to $10,000 was added, for the reserve license holder to make renovations to the premises, which follows similar actions of other municipalities.
The total number of premises issued Class B licenses for liquor or beer is limited to 25, set by state law.
Class A licenses, for packaged liquors and beers, is limited to 12 premises.
Restaurant fermented malt beverages and Class C wine licenses are limited to 12 premises also.
The council passed an ordinance in February 2007 restricting to 30 the combined total number of Class A and Class B fermented malt liquor licenses issued in the city.
Monroe had filled its Class A intoxicating liquor licenses at seven, and Class B intoxicating liquor licenses at 23.
Duxstad said there has been a "significant change to many ordinances," particularly the number of licenses available, and little public input to these changes.
Other changes made on alcohol licenses are "having a significant impact on license holders to keep and transfer their licenses," Duxstad said, which prompted him to request a month or two for individuals to look at the license issue.
City Attorney Rex Ewald clarified that the ordinance was only a reorganizing of previous ordinances passed, and was produced to "allow a full comprehensive set of rules," that would be easier to hand out to the public.
The amount of money paid to the city for all Class B licenses, except for the special reserve license fee set by the state, is the same for all license holders, he added.
"What Attorney Duxstad is talking about is market transference," Ewald said, referencing the added expense buyers pay to tavern owners to have the liquor license for the premises transferred to the new owner's name.
Alderman Paul Hannes made the motion to table the resolution on the ordinance, "to give the license holders time to confer" with Duxstad. Alderman Neal Hunter seconded the motion, which passed 9-1, with Alderman Thurston Hanson voting against.
Alderman Charles Koch then moved to have the ordinance sent back to the Judiciary & Ordinance Committee; seconded by Hunter and passed 9-1, with Hanson against.