ACTION REQUESTED:
Title
Communication from the City Manager and Corporation Counsel with a Request to ADOPT an ORDINANCE Amending CHAPTER 3 of the CODE of the City of Peoria Section 3-9 Pertaining to the PRESENCE OF UNDER-AGED PERSONS UPON LICENSED PREMISES.
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BACKGROUND:
The proposed amendment to Section 3-9 of Chapter 3 of the City Code will allow persons under the age of 21 years to enter and remain in any licensed premises including taverns (Class A licensees) for a private event held at the licensed premises in which the establishment is not open to the public and the private event is preapproved by the liquor commissioner or his or designee, the deputy liquor commissioner.
A local tavern owner requested this change so that the tavern could be rented out for weddings and private events for various businesses in which under-aged persons could attend. Currently, the City Code prohibits anyone who is under 21 years of age from entering or remaining upon any licensed establishments except for restaurants, dinner clubs, golf clubs, coffee shops and other exceptions as listed in Section 3-9.
Even with the requested change, it still will be unlawful for persons under the age of 21 years to possess or consume alcoholic liquors. The owner or the liquor licensee of the establishment would risk being subjected to a fine, suspension or revocation of its liquor license upon conviction for such a violation occurring on the licensed premises.
FINANCIAL IMPACT: Not applicable.
NEIGHBORHOOD CONCERNS: Not applicable.
IMPACT IF APPROVED: Any licensed premises that rents or hosts preapproved private events would lawfully be able to have persons under the age of 21 years enter and remain upon the licensed premises.
IMPACT IF DENIED: There would be a continuation of the blanket prohibition of persons under 21 years of age from entering and remaining upon licensed establishments such as taverns with the exceptions as outlined in Section 3-9.
ALTERNATIVES: None.
EEO CERTIFICATION NUMBER: Not applicable.
WHICH OF THE GOALS IDENTIFIED IN THE COUNCIL’S 2014 - 2029 STRATEGIC PLAN DOES THIS RECOMMENDATION ADVANCE?
1. Grow Peoria: Businesses, Jobs, and Population
WHICH CRITICAL SUCCESS FACTOR(S) FROM THE COMPREHENSIVE PLAN DOES THIS RECOMMENDATION IMPLEMENT?
1. Grow employers and jobs.
DEPARTMENT: Legal