Number
190450
Version
ORIGINAL
Reference
Sponsor
ALD. HAMILTON AND KOVAC
Title
Resolution directing the Department of Administration-Intergovernmental Relations Division to seek introduction and passage of State legislation relating to closing times for premises operating under Class “B”, “Class B” or “Class C” alcohol beverage licenses or permits during the 2020 Democratic National Convention.
Analysis
This resolution directs the Department of Administration-Intergovernmental Relations Division to seek introduction and passage of State legislation which would allow the City to issue temporary permits for premises operating under Class “B”, “Class B” or “Class C” alcohol beverage-licenses or permits to remain open until 4:00 a.m. during the 2020 Democratic National Convention, July 13-16, 2020.
Body
Whereas, Milwaukee has been selected to host the 2020 Democratic National Convention, to be held July 13-16, 2020 (Monday - Thursday); and
Whereas, This will be the first convention held in the City by a major party in Milwaukee's history; and
Whereas, Up to 50,000 people are expected to attend the Convention and related events in Milwaukee, including delegates, party members and tourists, along with their families, as well as local and national media and other interested parties; and
Whereas, In addition to the Convention itself, to be held at the Fiserv Forum, convention organizers expect there to be 1,500-2,000 additional events outside the main convention site beginning as early as July 9, 2020; and
Whereas, The scope and profile of events surrounding the Convention, and the influx of visitors to Milwaukee, afford many opportunities for local business owners, particularly those in the restaurant, tavern and hospitality industries; and
Whereas, Daily Convention activities may run late into the evening, and Convention guests, especially those arriving from the west coast and from locales with liberal hours of operation for restaurants and taverns, will expect to be able to patronize local restaurants, bars and taverns and enjoy food and alcohol service late in the evening; and
Whereas, Philadelphia, the host of the 2016 Democratic National Convention, passed legislation to temporarily permit bars and restaurants to remain open until 4:00 a.m., while Cleveland, the host of the 2016 Republic National Convention, issued special permits to allow bars and restaurants to remain open until 4:00 a.m.; and
Whereas, Under current State law, no establishment in Milwaukee operating under a Class “B”, “Class B” or “Class C” alcohol beverage license or permit may remain open between the hours of 2:00 a.m. - 6:00 a.m. Monday - Friday and 2:30 a.m. - 6:00 a.m. Saturday and Sunday, with some exceptions; and
Whereas, State law therefore prevents local businesses from taking full advantage of the opportunities arising from the Convention, and could likewise defeat Convention guests’ expectations for visiting Milwaukee, hampering Convention guests’ social and business gatherings and enjoyment of Milwaukee’s excellent dining and nightlife; and
Whereas, To resolve this issue, the Common Council recommends that State legislation be introduced and passed which would amend Ch. 125, Wis. Stats., to allow Milwaukee establishments operating under Class “B”, “Class B” or “Class C” alcohol beverage licenses or permits to remain open until 4:00 a.m. July 13-16, 2020; and
Whereas, Precedent for allowing Class “B” and “Class B” licensed or permitted establishments to remain open for extended hours on special occasions already exists in State law, which allows such establishments to remain open around the clock on New Year’s Eve; and
Whereas, To take advantage of such a provision, if enacted by the State Legislature, and remain open until 4:00 a.m. during the 2020 Democratic National Convention, interested Milwaukee bars, taverns and restaurants would apply for a Temporary Change of Plan permit, which allows a licensee to temporarily deviate from the hours of operation specified in the establishment’s plan of operation on file with the City Clerk; and
Whereas, Under the City’s Temporary Change of Plan permit model, the local district alderperson has the authority to approve or deny the Temporary Change of Plan permit application; and
Whereas, If a licensee’s Temporary Change of Plan permit application is denied by the local alderperson, and filing deadlines are met, the licensee has the option to appeal the denial to the Common Council’s Licenses Committee; and
Whereas, This case-by-case temporary permit process would provide Milwaukee alderpersons the discretion to be responsive to both residents and business owners, particularly in consideration of establishments located a considerable distance from the epicenter of the 2020 Convention and unlikely to be patronized by Convention guests, for businesses located in neighborhoods where the disruption to residents from extended hours would outweigh any benefits, and for premises that have been operated in an irresponsible manner in the past and are unlikely to operate responsibly with extended hours; now, therefore, be it
Resolved, By the Common Council of the City of Milwaukee, that the Department of Administration-Intergovernmental Relations Division is directed to seek introduction and passage of legislation that would amend Ch. 125, Wis. Stats., to allow an establishment in a city of the first class operating under a Class “B”, “Class B” or “Class C” alcohol beverage license or permit to remain open until 4:00 a.m. July 13-16, 2020; and, be it
Further Resolved, That File Number 180898 is amended by inserting the following item in the document attached to the file and identified as “2019-2020 State Legislative Package Proposals”:
|
Common Council |
Neighborhoods/Economy |
Amend Wis. Stat. Ch. 125 to allow premises operating under a Class “B”, “Class B” or “Class C” license or permit in a city of the first class to remain open until 4:00 a.m. July 13-16, 2020. |
Requestor
Department of Administration-Intergovernmental Relations Division
Drafter
LRB174398-1
Dana Zelazny
June 7, 2019