Title
Resolution Establishing the Fee to Cover the Cost of Annual Investigation and Review of On-Premises Liquor Licenses for 2021
Memorandum
On Thursday, February 18, the City Council Liquor License Review Committee met to discuss the City’s annual renewal process for on-premise liquor licensed businesses, as outlined in Chapter 109 of the City Code. The committee discussed the current process and the impact of the pandemic on local businesses. One of the requirements of the current review process is an annual permit application and $90 fee. The fee is charged to offset the cost of administering the annual renewal process, which includes review and recommendations by Police, Fire, Treasury, Building and the City Attorney’s Office of all establishments in the City that have State licenses for on-premise consumption of liquor.
The Committee discussed a reduced fee for this year’s process due to the impact of the pandemic and the fact that many of these businesses have had restrictions on indoor dining service for much of the last year.
This resolution establishes a $50 fee for the annual investigation and review of on-premises liquor licenses for 2021, a reduction from the existing $90 annual fee.
Staff
Prepared by: John W. Reiser, Senior Assistant Senior Attorney
Reviewed by: Jacqueline Beaudry, City Clerk
Sponsored by: Council Liquor License Review Committee
Body
Whereas, The City of Ann Arbor’s Liquor License Review Committee is required to annually review on-premise liquor licenses to determine whether to object to the Michigan Liquor Control Commission’s renewal of such licenses;
Whereas, City Council is required to determine and establish the fee to cover the cost of the annual investigation and review by the City;
Whereas, City Council has previously determined and established that the costs undertaken by the City Clerk’s Office to administer the renewal program, including gathering recommendations from Police, Building, Fire and Treasury is $90;
Whereas, Many on-premise liquor licensees have suffered losses in revenue because of the inability to operate at full capacity due to restrictions on inside dining and gathering sizes imposed by the Michigan Department of Health and Human Services; and
Whereas, City Council wishes to alleviate some of the financial hardship suffered by on-premise liquor licensees by lowering the annual fee for 2021;
RESOLVED, That City Council establish the fee to cover the annual investigation and review of on-premises liquor licenses at $50 for 2021, and
RESOLVED, That the fee revert to $90 in subsequent years.
Sponsored by: Council Liquor License Review Committee