Good afternoon.

I'd like to call this August 7th meeting of the Naperville Liquor Commission to order.

Roll call.

Worley?

Here.

Cherico.

Here.

Douglas.

Here.

D.

Here.

Coranda.

Here.

Maguri?

Here.

Signorella?

Here.

Stoffer.

Here.

Our first item is public form.

Are there any members of the public here to speak on a public forum issue that's not otherwise on the agenda?

Seeing none, we'll move on to old business.

Approved liquor commission meetings from meeting minutes, rather, from May 8th, 2025.

Mr.

Mayor.

Commissioner Cherico.

Like to make a motion to approve the meeting minutes from May 8th, 2025 for Napoleon Liquor Commission.

Is there a second?

Second.

Commissioner Carandra with the second.

We have a motion, a second or approve the minutes from May 8th, 2025 roll call.

Douglas.

Yes.

Dr.

Coranda.

Yes.

Maguri?

Yes.

Signorella.

Yes.

Stoffer?

Chericho.

Hi.

Our next item is new business.

25-0979.

Consider hammer and nails request to amend the Class M lifestyle amenities liquor license to allow the sale and consumption of spirits.

Petitioners here, and if you could make your way to the podium.

And can we make that we we gotta make sure your microphones on, hold on.

Do I really need that?

I don't know.

I'm a little loud.

Yeah, so um you you're being audio and video recorded, so we do need you to speak into the microphone.

They're really directional, so please please do that.

Go ahead and state your name and association for the record and then go on to your presentation.

I am Rebecca Lewis, the owner of Hammer and Nails in Napraville, also known as Hammer Command LLC is my legal name of the business.

We are a franchise.

Um our model, as you can see from here, is a men's grooming shop along with um manicures and pedicures.

So we are nails and a barber shop.

Um we are currently licensed, as you guys know, as an M class, so we do wine and beer.

Um we would like to offer spirits.

Our clients would like to have a um old fashioned a I'm not a hard alcohol drinker, so it's kind of hard for me to talk about this, but they would like to have a um Roman Coke or um something on the rocks, a whiskey on the rocks, I guess, you know.

So um they've asked that be done.

I was trying to come up with uh other options first, um, like lockers or something like that.

No, no, can't do that.

So um, we would like to ask if we could have spirits.

We we don't want any more than the two drinks.

People are only coming in for our clients.

We are membership-based model.

Um, and people do come in for single services.

They are not hardly ever there for over two hours, and the ones that are over two hours don't get more than two drinks because that's our limit.

So if they're there over two hours, they don't get more than two drinks because that's all we're allowed to do.

Um I would say half of our clients don't even get alcoholic beverages.

They go for water, coke, um, laCroix, energy drinks, or we have Go Brewery.

I try to support the local breweries too, the local um community as best I can.

So we're just trying to look for what the community is asking for and go with also our brand, our brand on average has spirits too.

So that is what we're looking for.

Um there's another hammer nails opening up in Geneva.

Uh they're opening up actually next week.

So if uh we could be considered for this, I would really like your input.

Um if you have anything you want to ask me or tell me, I'm all yours.

Okay, so let's get a perspective, counselor, on what current license that the petitioner has and what would need to be done to potentially accommodate their requests and what the commission is is really considering here.

So there's two type of class M liquor licenses.

Uh Hammer and Nails has the Class M lifestyle amenities.

There's also the Class M recreational.

So for the Class M lifestyle amenities, they are limited to two drinks of beer and wine.

Currently, um, there's only one other salon that has this license, which is the lay across the street.

We also had a request from a nail salon where they came to concept, but they haven't followed through after sending the liquor application.

Um there's also a cap of five on the license.

So really the request here would be you would need to do a serving size because we have specific serving sizes for this license.

They're only allowed six ounces of wine and 12 ounces of beer, along with um inclusion or a text amendment to the code or recommendation of a text amendment to the code to include spirits in the type of alcoholic liquor that can be served.

Questions from the commissioner Commissioner Douglas.

I thought we changed it to nine ounces, but is that not applicable to the M.

So the the increase in the class nine ounces is to restaurants, it doesn't apply to the specific license.

It has a specific drink limit uh just due to its use.

Commissioner.

And I just want to say I had a chance to go visit your salon.

Yeah, with me.

So I came to see it because I wasn't familiar with hammer nails.

I was really impressed that you were abiding by the OE beer and wine, and it was very clean, it was very crowded in like a good way, like nice capacity, because I wasn't sure on the business model.

And then I thought Autumn did a really great job, very professional.

They also do allow kids and women, um, even though it's focused towards men.

Um I thought it was a really great place, and congratulations on reaching 500 members.

Yeah, we're the second fastest in the nation to reach 500 in less than six months.

So between the community and like uh yeah, we got a good team.

I do have a couple questions just to set things up here.

So when it comes to the service currently, a associate has to pour the glass of wine.

Is that correct?

Okay.

And beer.

Yeah.

We have our glasses, have our logo on it, so they know where to go based on our new logo is is to um the hammer, and then it's got the nails.

So the nail actually has it where it can be measured based off so it knows where to go as far as the pour.

So it helps with our wine glasses.

And I learned too for the hard alcohol, it does the same thing on the on the hard alcohol glasses, so they know where to pour it.

But we if we were to get hard alcohol, we know we have to use the sorry, I'm not familiar with hard alcohol, but I know you have to use those little glasses.

Okay.

And and then with it comes to the mixing of drinks and things like that.

So you would some you you would have somebody actually doing quasi bartender.

I actually have a one of my head lead um member concierge, he is a bartender bartender, and he would love to make mixed drinks instead of offering beer and wine to people.

So thank you, Mayor.

What volume, dollar volume approximately, of your business, let's just say last year was in liquor sales.

We were not open last year.

Pardon me?

We were not open last year.

We only opened in February.

Okay.

Um, it's not a lot because with our membership, they get a drink.

How many do I actually charge for a second drink?

Very rarely.

A lot of people don't drink two drinks.

So as part of the fee, they receive a complimentary drink.

Yeah.

So it's very rarely that I have people getting two drinks.

But I want to offer it so that if someone is there for the two hours, they can get it and they can pay for it, but it is not a normal thing that happens.

But it is not a normal thing that happens.

If someone goes from a barber chair, then over to a pedicure or manicure, or if they come for like a bachelor party or something like that, where they're doing a pedicure and a manicure, or they're sitting and then they're gonna go to a barber, like those on occasion is when you hit your two drink limit, but it's not I I would say on average, it's maybe like less than a handful a month, if even that.

Thank you.

Uh Mayor?

Commissioner.

Um I'm trying to remember does how does this model work with our you know, like complimentary drinks versus paid floor?

Uh I I try to remember back to this uh application, and I quick can't counselor So how it works is it's it's technically not complimentary, they're paying for the drink and the cost of the thing.

Through the service is how it works, it's part of the package.

Okay.

So just as a follow-up then, so along if if if the if the commission were to uh recommend the approval of this, is this a text amendment, right?

Correct.

It would be a recommendation to city council for a text amendment, which would meet city council approval.

If we were to uh recommend approval for a text amendment change, uh it would be again the a spirit wouldn't that would still fall into the same category of it's part of the service cost, and it doesn't cause any other conflicts with our rules.

Counselor?

So state law prohibits the giving away of alcohol, so it would have to be sold as part of the package.

Okay.

Thank you.

Commissioner Coranda?

What's the uh historical kind of significance of just like beer and wine not allowing spirits in the first place?

Yeah, I I think as um we try to get our arms around the the uh lifestyle amenity services like the barber shops and the the hair salons that were were giving away alcohol just on their own.

We we try to figure out how we don't put some arms around that and license it because what they were doing technically was was not within the spirit of the law, no pun intended.

Um I I think the mindset back then was well, these people are serving themselves, but in the questions when we would have the salons come in, we would ask them can anybody uh come in off the street and help themselves to a glass of wine or a beer from your cooler without getting a hair service or or something, and they said, well, no.

So then we're thinking, all right, we've got to make this part of some sort of licensure because it's not a private party, it's it's technically a pay for service, so you you're having to purchase something in order to do this.

And a lot of communities have basically encapsulated that type of service this way.

I think one of the challenges that we've seen with these requests in the past is by the time they get through the licensure, both with us and the state, and then have to go through the process of purchasing all of their liquor through distribution channels versus the retail channels.

There's not a whole lot left at the end of the day dollar-wise.

So you know, well, it's not our decision here to determine the business viability for for this request.

Um that kind of answers the history as to where it came from.

Thank you.

Commissioner Staffer, I think you were in there at one point.

Yeah.

Um I feel like um this is a bit of personal bias, I guess maybe, but that's why I'm asked to be on this.

Um there is a sort of fundamental difference between beer and wine and spirits, and that's I mean, typically it's easier to get a beer and wine permit in any municipality than it is like a spirit.

Um I think the the primary reason is um I clearly if you're gonna abuse alcohol, you can do it in any form, whether it be beer, wine, or or hard liquor, but the concentration of alcohol in a spirit is is significantly higher, and it's it's easier for someone to you know do three or four shots as opposed to drink three or four beers and it's sort of under the radar.

Um I I don't have the exact history, but my my belief is that when we like as the mayor was explaining when we went to lifestyle, it was a little bit of all right, there's some of this going on, let's let's try to get our arms around it.

But when I look at our liquor permits, um you're not serving food.

Um other like the theater permits, there's there's other permits that allow for beer and wine, but there seems to be sort of a hard line on on spirits.

And again, if somebody's gonna abuse beer and wine, they're gonna be intoxicated and they're gonna drive a car.

I mean, I'm not saying that fundamentally there's a distinct difference, but it seems like in uh in practice, there is more um potential for abuse with with spirits, especially if you're serving you know, shots and things like that.

Somebody just wants two fingers of of whiskey.

Yeah.

Um so you gotta get closer to the microphone and turn it up to it.

When it comes to shots, we are not um like doing shots.

Our services run 45 minutes.

So what happens is they come in, they sit down, they're gonna get um a drink on the rocks, let's just say.

Okay, then they're gonna sit it down at the barber station, and they run 45 minutes to an hour is one service.

So we are not no one is gonna be sitting at a bar doing a shot.

That is not the type of shop that I am, I'm not allowing that.

That's not gonna be but if somebody said give me two fingers of whiskey in a and a nice glass.

I mean, that's effectively it's just it's just straight up liquor.

And um, correct?

Uh uh Yeah I so I I just personally feel like this is maybe a step too far for me, but I'm I'm interested in other commissioner's perspective.

Okay.

And then I want to say one thing in regards to like wine.

Men don't really, which you might want to all agree or not agree, don't really like wine.

So that is one thing that we you know, like on our like they're like, could you, you know, could you ask?

So I've been trying to like figure out how to appease a lot of our clientele.

Um, and so that is why I'm here.

There is also, you know, I know drinks in cans that you can get now too.

And so uh, you know.

I mean, I uh so I mean, again, don't have it.

We're beer and wine.

So that's what I have.

So uh Commissioner D.

Um, I had a question for counsel.

So if this uh license were amended, what is considered a serving size of spirits?

Counselor So currently in the code, we have unless there's a specific restriction in a license, which I was just looking, there is one license that has a specific restriction, it's three ounces of spirits.

We do have one license, hold on, let me just pull it up that has a serving size limitation of 1.5 ounces, which is the class P, which applies to breweries or craft distilleries.

So for this uh particular case, which one are we talking about?

One and a half ounces or three ounces.

Uh it's a recommendation that would be made by the commissioners based on the input that they receive here.

Or do you have a specific request for a serving specific serving size?

I am here to work with you.

I'm not here to be a pain.

I'm here to make my members happy and make the city happy and try to come up with a compromise.

That's what I'm here for.

I'm here to just see what can make everybody happy.

That's the goal is to try to figure something out.

And then if we take baby steps and it don't work, then you know, I don't know.

I mean, I know it's not normal, so I understand that.

And you know, I'm just trying to come up with a solution and try to figure out maybe if we can come up with something to start.

And if you have any ideas, I'm all I'm all ears.

I mean, that's I'm just trying to come up with it.

Oh, yeah, my other question was for you actually.

Um your hours are from 10 to 7 every day.

Nine to six on Saturday.

Nine to six and Saturday.

And 10 to 5 on Sunday.

Okay, then, but usually Monday, Friday, so you wouldn't change your hours to go in later than that, right?

No.

Because here's the thing about drinking.

People um tend to drink uh if you're drinking as a part of a service, like a barber shop, things like that, you probably won't over imbibe because you gotta get back to work.

Um if it was if yours was it later, like let's say you open till 10, right?

You decided to extend your hours, things were great.

Then you'd be more likely to socialize and there'd be a greater opportunity for people to overindulge, is what I'm saying, right?

So if you kept if this were you know that the whole purpose of having a a liquor license in Naperville, we I would hope is that it would um improve and and grow the main business, not become the business.

Yeah.

Right.

So in that regard, if it was limited to 10 to 7, like working hours, then people are much less likely to abuse the liquor part of it.

Thank you.

Commissioner Douglas.

I do think that in the license there is a restriction on what percentage of your microphone.

We need to be closer to the microphone.

Oh, sorry.

A percentage of your business that can be made by the liquor sale.

So I think that would be covered too, um, in addition to the hours.

Um, but I just want to say when I was reviewing hammering now's in the franchise model, it does seem like all of the images all show like a whiskey and show that.

So I don't know what percentage of the franchises already all have it, and you might be an outlier.

So that's one point or question and two is do you know if the Geneva one was passed?

Yes.

It they have a full pub license.

And when I um when you brought up about the food, um when I did my um health department license, I am set up where I can go one step up if I need to have her like let me come in and do pretzels or something like that.

I can call her back um at the health department, and I could add pretzels or something like that.

Um I could I could call her back and I could step up the way that my bar is set up.

I could apply for one step up on my health department license.

Just I I remember her saying that to me.

Commissioner Chericho.

Thank you, Mayor.

So I think it's kind of interesting how this has evolved.

And um, and this I don't I'm sure it's not just in Naperville.

You know, the I think the job we have is trying to balance you know public safety first and then commerce second.

We don't want to snuff out you know, opportunity for for businesses to be successful.

And you know, I think one of the things that we've learned over the last several years at least that I've been involved, is that these types of establishments rarely have problems.

You know, they just don't seem to ever have problems.

We don't have police calls, we don't have fights, we don't have I've never seen one DUI directly tied to uh this type of uh an establishment.

Uh and I'm not just referring to this one, I'm like the golf courses or the you know you know, all the you know, the theater license, you know, the specialty wine stores, I mean, all these types of smaller boutique licenses rarely seem to have issues, and so um one could argue that maybe that's because we have such tight restrictions on it, and the other could argue that it's just not the type of facility that um is an atmosphere that people get hammered, and uh whether it be a a glass of wine or a whiskey.

Um I guess I'm leaning more on on the on that side of it, that I just don't think that this is the type of uh of place in general, and I I would apply this to the other licenses as well, that where we're gonna see problems as a result of this if we were to allow one or two servings of uh spirit and spirits have come a long way in the last several well couple of decades, I guess, at this point, uh especially whiskey, um, that has become such a um common thing.

Um that's kind of like where I'm at with the the this this ask.

I do have a follow-up question for you though.

Uh storage of liquor.

Um how do you plan on doing that?

What's the secure?

You know, just tell us a little bit about that.

And um, do you have cameras?

We have cameras everywhere.

And I have it on my phone if you want to see it.

Okay.

So I and I record.

So please come to my shop.

And actually, when there's an accident, they actually say your cameras work.

Did you do that?

Shapes?

What yeah?

Yeah, yeah.

And yeah.

So I have a storage locker outside of my shop too, because I don't have enough space in the shop, and I am in control of it.

I'm a control freak.

I'm sorry.

And um it's just we don't have a lot of space, and they said it had to be locked up.

So I have to have a uh locker that I'm at an off-site locker, um, one of the storage lockers off-site.

And what about on-site uh spirits or wine in in beer?

It's at like um extra storage because like if someone wants one drink, you have to go to your storage locker.

Oh, no, no, no, no.

I'm so sorry.

I'm sorry.

We have locked up whatever can be locked up in in our as Kelly saw in our um fridges that are there, everything else is off site, so then we have to go back and refill it.

Okay, but on site it's all secure.

Yep.

Okay, that's that was my question.

Thank you.

Commissioner Douglas.

I'd like to make a motion, but I might need help with drafting it at the 1.5 ounce um motion.

Yeah.

Amend the code to allow for register as uh 1.5 ounces this year, it's with a maximum.

Yes, that's what I'd like to do.

If you amend the petition for 1.5 ounces with a maximum of two within normal operating hours.

Is there a second?

Uh second.

We have a motion and a second, any discussion.

Councilman, I'm sorry, Commissioner Chirico.

I think uh thank you, Mayor.

Um, so just for clarification now, when you say normal business hours, um can we define them as the business hours that are set by this business, or just I think you know, Commissioner D is I agree with him that 11 o'clock or midnight is a big difference from 7 o'clock at night.

Uh so if we if if that would be uh agreeable to the motion in a second, and then uh also um did you say 1.5 two servings of 1.5?

Okay, thank you.

Just that one clarification then for operating hours I'm gonna amend my motion to have liquor sales cease at 7 p.m.

to 7 p.m.

Okay, so so my hours are of operation 10 to 7 are okay, correct.

Okay, thank you.

Commissioner Stoffer.

I'm sorry, we need a second before we get in further discussion.

Um yes, I could go.

Okay.

We have a second.

Commissioner Stoffer, can I ask for clarification?

Sure.

Is this proposal specific to Class M licenses?

Or is it to this petitioner's request?

Counselor?

So the text amendment would apply to all Class M lifestyle amenity facilities.

Okay, thank you.

And and can I just ask the commission to consider then are you prepared for theater and uh uh look at the rest of our uh liquor permits where it says beer and wine only, are you prepared to uh be as accommodating for all the other?

I'm I'm not asking for an answer, but just to consider that as we vote.

Commissioner Kelly, Douglas.

I've been known to talk out of turn.

Um I think that Soleya is the only one that's at the M now, right?

And you mentioned a brewery was at the 1.5, but that's not an M license.

So there would only be there's only one other person that has this, which is Salea.

I'm pronouncing that name right, and it's a cap of five.

Yes, currently the class M lifestyle amenities facility, we have two licenses issued, one to hammer nails and the other to Salea.

So to apply to both of them, there is a cap of five um for the license.

We did have a nail slant come in and request a license, but they haven't filled out the application, and that was about two months ago.

Commissioner D.

So if we did um pass this amendment, then if anybody else were to your point, if anybody else were to come and um uh ask for the same accommodation, it would also be have the same restrictions as far as hours up to 7 p.m.

only, right?

Counselor?

Correct.

Commissioner Churico.

Thank you, Mayor.

Um, one of the things that I think you know, Commissioner Stauffer correctly is concerned about the sort of proliferation of you know this across many, many different businesses.

But one of the things I think we've that I've learned is that uh that doesn't seem to happen.

And I think because to the mayor's uh point that it's not easy to maintain these licenses and it costs a lot of money.

So unless it's really part of your business model, which in this case, you know, clearly is um a lot of these businesses just don't want to go through it.

Uh and I know we gave a license to a barber shop here in town uh recently who no longer does it because it was just a hassle.

So it turns out that there isn't this domino effect that we were concerned about, you know, and we're always concerned about you know that domino effect, like if we're gonna allow you know package goods sales at a gas station.

Well, I can almost guarantee every gas station is gonna sell it, you know, if if we do that.

So I mean there's good reason to be careful with in certain situations, but in these situations, I don't feel like that's come to pass, you know.

So I'm not I'm not too concerned about that, I don't think.

Commissioner Stoffer.

And maybe just to clarify, um I'm not necessarily talking about an avalanche in this particular niche of of um you know barber shops and things like that, but you've got recreational licenses, um, we've got legitimate theater.

I'm just asking the commission um are we saying that we're expanding for this particular like uh lifestyle permit for you know stylists and things like that, but we're gonna remain more strict for recreational lifestyle recreation permits and theater permits and things like that, because I I do anticipate if we make this change, there's gonna be a request for other licenses to be changed.

It's I think somewhat inevitable over the next several years at least that all of these um things that are all the licenses currently restricted to beer and wine are gonna be asking for the same exception.

I've just I'm not saying you know that's a bad thing, but I just say beware.

I don't think it's the avalanche or the the ton of negativity.

I just I think it's the natural progression of events that if we let this then it's gonna like basically all I would think all of our liquor permits are gonna be for beer line and beer, wine and liquor.

Commissioner Shirico.

Thank you, Mayor.

And I think that's a good that's a fair point.

You know, because we have other classes, it's not just this class.

Can you quantify that for us?

Uh possibly give us an idea just roundly how many licenses are out there that that this could potentially cavalcate into counselor, if you want to take a minute.

I know Commissioner Coranda's got a question, so I'm gonna go ahead and recognize him.

I think it's a a great point on always to be cautious on setting the right precedent.

I do think the difference between lifestyle and recreational is also how much time people are in those facilities and using them.

So in my mind, I think it would be justifiable and understandable if we were to deny you know recreational liquor uh or spirit use there just based on you know they're usually a three plus hours perhaps versus here's a shorter use.

So just a thought doesn't necessarily apply here, but thinking down the line counselor, are you ready?

I believe so.

So I believe that the only license it would apply to would be the class R legitimate theater house.

The class M recreational is written, actually allows for spirits.

Class R, we have two.

I don't know how many licenses we have.

Do you want to take a shot at it, Cheb?

No.

We need your microphone.

No worries.

That's okay.

Commissioner Shericho.

I think uh it's probably a couple, you know, uh maybe two or three, maybe just one, I don't know.

But so I I it's not we're not talking about like 20 or 30 or something like that.

So there's no Commissioner Stoffer?

I'm I'm just reading across restaurants, a class A restaurant right now can't serve liquor.

Um a class H club, class I motel.

Um there is a motel and tavern, but the class I is just a motel.

Um the legitimate theater, um counselor, you thought recreational does include liquor.

So aside what I'm um so if you look at the class A liquor by drink, that's referring to spirits.

And then it says wine by bottle or margarita by pitcher.

So when it says liquor by drink in this first line, that means that they can serve spirits.

So the class H club just doesn't have any container requirements.

Um you know, I was in here when that was drafted, but I'm but that still means that they can serve uh spirits.

So if you look at uh recreational facility under container requirements, it says for a recreational facility, liquor by drink, wine by bottle, and then or beer by pitcher.

So that liquor is reserved, that that liquor portion is referring to spirits.

But if you look at the legitimate theater, it just says beer served by the glass, wine served by the glass.

Any other questions from commissioners?

Okay.

There's a motion and a second to modify the class M lifestyle and amenity license to licenses to allow for the services of one and a half ounces of liquor, a maximum two times.

In addition to beer and wine with all liquor sales to end no later than 7 p.m.

Is that an accurate depiction of the amended motion?

It is.

Roll call.

This time you do actually have to participate.

Well, I was gonna clarify there is only one class R right now.

We only have one.

Um and there's only one club license, too.

So let's see.

All right, Douglas?

Yes.

D?

Yes.

Coranda?

Aye.

McGurry?

Aye.

Signorella?

Yes.

Stoffer.

Nay.

Sorry.

Motion passes.

Thank you.

So what will happen next is a recommendation from the liquor commission will go forward to the city council.

That'll be agended on a future city council meeting.

And you can work with the city clerk's office on when that will be and what the next steps are.

Thank you.

Okay.

Thank you.

Maybe Mitch, you can come in the shop and see what we're about.

Item E2, receive the 2025 Napraville Board and Commission member training.

We have um Councillor Bonner who's going to present.

Okay.

So this year we've decided the city, along with Mayor Worley, that each of the boards and commissions will receive uh training.

So we're just gonna go over a few things.

And if you have any questions during the presentation or after, just let me know.

Okay, so we're gonna go over the importance of boards and commissions in Neighborville, some of the members' responsibilities, and then meeting rules and participation requirements.

Boards and commissions are important because it allows the city to have a lot of community members, people who reside in Neighborville, give their input based on their diverse backgrounds and things that the city's facing.

So appointments are reserved for Naperville residents, and they're made by the mayor with approval from city council, except for your commission.

So we just because the mayor is the liquor commissioner, he appoints the members, and then we give city council a heads up of who's been appointed, but they don't approve the request.

So members are chosen to serve based on their unique background and perspective and their full participation.

So basically the importance of boards and commissions is people from different backgrounds leverage those positions and expertise in the community.

It allows members of the community to reach out to various different people.

Maybe they try to reach out to someone and they're not available.

Um it assists staff and elected officials in providing different perspectives, and also just as it increases consistency in community planning and discussions.

So responsibilities as a member of a board and commission.

Uh you have to attend at least 75% of all meetings.

Uh less than 75% attendance may result in removal.

There are reasons that you can have an excused absence, and we also have the participation by phone for certain specific reasons.

So an excused absence is personal or family illness, death in the family, maternity, paternity leave, or family emergency.

You know, if you have an outstanding circumstance or need to participate by telephone, reach out to Ms.

O's captain, she'll reach out to me and we'll figure out if we're able to allow you to do so.

So the term for all boards and commissions are three years except for liquor commission.

So you're four years because you run concurrently with the mayor.

If there's a vacancy that occurs, then during a person's term, then a member will be appointed to fill the vacancy and serve the rest of the unexpired terms.

Terms expire on May 30th, and there's a grace period where you can serve beyond the end of your term for 180 days.

And so after the next election, depending on the outcome, there'll be a reappointment for the liquor commissioner based on the mayor at that time.

If you do not attend 75% of the board or commission meetings during the prior proceedings, you won't be recommended for reappointment.

And then recommendations are just subject to approval for the liquor commission by the mayor.

So ethics and codes of conduct for board members.

There's various laws, rules, and policies, the state officials and employees' ethics acts, the city's municipal code, which applies to both you commission members and me as an employee.

So they're just in place to ensure fairness, honesty, integrity, and using city resources in the most productive and efficient way.

And you must avoid placing any personal or financial interest in conflict with those of the city.

So I think it's oh I guess we're doing ethics first.

Okay, so basically, you take an oath when you're a commission and you have to follow the municipal code.

And if you fail to do so, there are consequences.

One, if you engage in political activities on city properties.

So that would be like asking me if you were running a political campaign to do political work for you.

Reach out to supporters, email them.

That's prohibited.

You can't really do that.

Also, if you had any city kind of devices, you would not be able to do anything political on that.

There's official misconduct where you intentionally or recklessly fail to perform a mandatory to duty, or you do something that you know you're expressly forbidden.

That can be a class four misdemeanor and felony.

And so there are consequences if you don't abide by the ethics rules.

So the gift ban is basically prohibits you from taking items of any value from a prohibited source.

So it could be tangible or intangible.

So it just has some type of monitoring value.

If the source does business with the city, it includes everyone in your immediate household, so your spouse and children are also prohibited from taking those gifts.

And so if you get a gift and you don't realize it's prohibited, you can do two things.

One, you can give it back, or two, you can donate it to a 501c3.

So, you know, if you're given anything by anyone who's appearing before the commission, I think it's important to CASALT legal.

The city attorney is the ethics officer for the city, and so uh we can provide you advice on what to do.

Also, there are some exclusions.

So you can get 75 in food and refreshment daily and 100 in gifts per source per year.

Where this used to come into play a lot was with RibFest tickets, but since RIFES is no longer here.

But if you do get tickets to events, please reach out to make sure that you're in compliance.

Or if you're offered tickets.

So conflicts of interest, commissioners are prohibited from being financially interested in any contract.

The commission may be called upon to vote.

So one way that we can do this, if you think you have a conflict of interest, we have a specific form for you to fill out.

Ms.

Oaks Captain can give it to you, you fill it out, and then when the item comes up for voting, you leave the room.

The conflict of interest form is staple to the minutes at the next meeting, and so you won't vote on that specific item.

Again, if you think you may have a conflict of interest, just reach out to the city legal and we can assist you.

So the Naperville Municipal Code outlines the conduct of commission members in 213.

So basically, you you should, you know, be ethical.

You should follow the city's workplace safety policies, demonstrate respect for the opinions of others, perform your duties for the benefits of the citizens and not yourself.

Uh conduct yourselves in a manner that will preserve public confidence, and also just be careful when posting on social media.

Make sure you put everything as in your individual capacity, not in your capacity as a liquor commissioner and as professional.

So transparency, it's important to be transparent to the public.

So the city strives to promote transparency in all operations by adhering to the open meetings act, the state of Illinois' Freedom of Information Act.

We take concise and accurate minutes, and we disclose potential conflicts.

So some things that we've implemented recently to increase transparency is designated meeting rooms.

We've always the liquor commission spent in city council for several years, so that really hasn't been an issue.

Designated seating for board members and staff, consistent rules, consistent agendas, annual reports, and then we're going to start audio and video recording the meetings.

So all of those will be available on the website where the agenda is posted.

So people who are unable to watch the meeting in real time can have that information.

So the Freedom of Information Act ensures public access to government records, paper, electronic, text messages, any type of communication.

So you would be subject to FOIA if it's related to your city business.

So if you're texting someone else about you know a liquor commission item that is technically related to city business, I advise you not to do that on your personal device.

Otherwise, you technically are required to uh take a screenshot of it and send it to MISO captain so we can produce it if there's a FOIA request.

There are certain exceptions for privacy security drafts.

Obviously, we review all FOIA requests and legal, so if there was something specific.

But I would just always advise you not to use your personal devices to discuss anything city related, especially during the meetings.

And this is a captain response to all FOIA requests, right?

Yes.

Okay.

So if you have any questions, you can reach out to me or her.

So meetings, rules and participation.

So a public meeting is required when there's any a quorum.

Discussing public business within the scope of the board commission.

And so that's it's just important again with the emails or text messages.

Really, if there's more than you or two people on a text message in a board, first of all, I advise you not to text message at all.

It can become an issue with the open meetings act.

So that's why we can't have I know that the SPA, I can't remember the name of it that it came in as being built.

They want to, whoever did the site visit, they wanted everyone to come at the same time, and we couldn't do that because it's an open meeting act issue.

So also we uh publish the agenda 48 hours before the meeting, and at the meeting there's public access and forum, and then after the meeting we approve and post the minutes.

Any violations can be a criminal felony or a civil lawsuit against the city.

So quorum is the majority of a public body that's required to do business.

If a quorum is not available, the meeting will be canceled because we can't discuss anything, but we can take public comment if there's not a quorum.

Typically, we research this in advance or reach out to you, so it's not really an issue with the liquor commission.

So we are a nine-member board because the mayor is a non-voting member, so quorum is five.

So majority of the quorum is three.

So remote participation is permitted in cases of personal illness or disability for an employment purpose or other public business, a family or other emergency, or an unexpected child care obligation.

So, in order for someone to participate uh remotely, there has to be a quorum physically present.

Uh remote participation is not encouraged and should only be viewed as an exception.

So, active public participation is encouraged.

Agendas for all meetings are posted and maintained on the city's website.

And uh sometimes residents will review those and reach out in advance of the meeting.

Written comments can be submitted in advance of the meeting.

There's also a sign-up sheet at the meeting.

They can sign up for public forum or specific agenda.

The time to speak is limited to three minutes.

Uh, you're allowed to ask questions at the conclusion of their comments, and there's decorum rules for public speakers.

Uh the chair person recognizes each board member before speaking.

Since the mayor is the liquor commissioner, he's the chairperson of this board.

So each person makes a motion, and then the motion seconded, and debate can occur prior to the motion being made or after a motion is seconded, then you could have debate, and then there'll be a vote.

So uh for liquor commission, the chairperson's the mayor, so these rules are slightly different than other boards and commissions, but typically a chair person outside of a liquor commission is a one-year term appointed by the mayor, leads and manages the meeting, ensures proper procedure, access staff conduct, welcomes and includes student representatives, and ensures compliance with the open meeting act and public forum.

So again, the governing rules are city codes, state law, robber rules of order, special rules adopted by the liquor commission, and ordinances and resolutions.

So thank you all for serving on the commission.

If you have any questions, you can reach out to me individually or ask them now.

I have one question.

I noticed on the website it says we're all serving our first term, which isn't actually accurate, I believe, so I don't know if that needs to be revisited.

I I think it's first term with the mayor's first term is the way it's got set up.

So um because the mayor's changed you were appointed as a first term with me.

Um just one thing I will throw out there as well is our meetings we always do in the city council chambers.

Some of the board and commission meetings are done in a different location.

The thing that will be happening um very, very soon is all board and commission meetings, including ours will be audio taped, and the audio recordings will be uploaded after the meetings to the city's website.

So it's going to be very important that for the purpose of the purpose pre of the people listening to those audio recordings, they understand who is speaking, who is not speaking.

So the recognition for Commissioner Douglas or Commissioner Stoffer or whoever you're being called on that it's not a free-for-all, that we have to identify who's speaking.

And it's it's more of an issue in some of the meetings that happen downstairs simply because there's been a tradition where there's more of a free flow exchange of information across the table.

But for the purpose of people trying to understand the audio recordings, I've already been told by members of the press and other sources that they'll be not coming to as many meetings because they'll just listen to the recordings and be able to report more efficiently.

So all right.

Thank you.

Mayor.

Commissioner Chirico.

Yeah, uh, just to comment.

What I think we're all pretty good about the uh you know open meetings act, but one of the things that I've noticed that we have gotten uh tripped up on a couple of times here is when an email will go out uh to all of us, and then there's a reply all.

And I'm not sure if how that's generated, but I would just suggest that like even like for response to uh our next meeting, because oftentimes we'll use that list as uh for an example that that spa that you were talking about visiting.

There was a couple of reply alls on that.

And so, you know, if more than one of us respond to that topic, I mean, technically we are you know in violation, un you know, unknowingly in violation.

So that would be the one thing I'd say just be careful of is not responding to a reply all email.

Um I would just say not do it either at all unless it's you know unless you can just peel it off and say reply to the sender only.

Commissioner Douglas?

Along those lines, I think we should always just be blind copied because you're asking who's in town who's not, and it's like, okay, do we people need to know if there's a form or not?

So I feel like we should always be in a blind copy if that's allowed.

Counselor?

So I noticed that issue.

So actually, Miss I I advise Ms.

O's captain to BCC everyone going forward about a month and a half ago, so we shouldn't have those issues.

Okay, next item is reports.

DUI report.

Do you have it, Ms.

Wikapin?

I am Marty Creighton today.

He gave me all his notes here.

So for the sorry, for the DUIs.

Um, April 2025, we had 19 DUIs compared to 17 in April of 24.

May 2025, we've had 12 DUIs compared to 20 DUIs in 2024.

Um, June this year, we had 18 DUIs compared to 11 last year, and July we had 25 compared to 11 DUIs last year.

Questions on the DUI reports?

Commissioner Douglas.

Not necessarily with DUI.

It didn't turn on, I don't think.

Sorry, it's um not related to the DUI, it's just a substance that I wanted to bring to people's attention, so I don't know if this is the proper time for it.

And Marty's not here.

Um why don't we go through the the reports and then we'll we'll throw it in.

Tobacco license report.

Uh at the last meeting, you had requested a tobacco license report.

So we did put it together.

Um I don't know if you want me to go through it or okay.

Um we have about 80 issued licenses a year.

In 2022 and 23, we had about five or six more, but we average about 80.

Um citations issued this year.

We issued six, and there's three pending.

And and um Ms.

Bonner has issued the highest fines, which is great.

And then um Marty uh detective Creighton had said that we do an average of three compliance checks a year.

And off the top of my head, I think we said year to date 25,000 in fines collected related to tobacco and liquor.

Okay, moving on with local liquor law essentials report.

Um so far, um, Detective Creighton has said it's going well.

This is the transition from in-person training to the remote Naperville ordinance training in light of everybody moving to online bassett training.

In May, he trained uh 21 people in June it was 32 people, and in July it was 31.

And he said that he'd prefer participants completed in a more timely manner.

However, this is not any different than what we had done with Bassett.

We agreed participants are responsible to complete it and violations will be addressed accordingly.

Before we get into liquor concept, Commissioner Douglas, did you have a just if this is appropriate or not?

I know we are on tobacco, but there's I don't know if you guys have heard of it.

It's called feel-free, it's like an over-the-counter little like shooter that's um, I don't know, supposed to help with your metabolism.

You can get it at um gas stations around here, and I've heard of some adults that are highly addicted to them now, and also it's been going off on TikTok with little kids.

Um, getting quite violent on it.

So just wanted to bring it as something to check out and see if it's something that we actually should look into further.

Do we know what substance is is in there?

That's it's an herbal supplement.

There's a lot of um stop online about it.

I don't uh I don't have it in front of me to tell you, but um I've just seen some issues locally in Naperville.

Yeah, I I we have a Kratom ordinance, don't we?

Uh counselor.

Right.

So we have a restriction uh on the sale by 21 and under, so you have to be over 21 to purchase Kratom or uh you know CBD products.

Okay, so we should Dr.

D.

It uh it's I was looking it up.

It does it's a blend of cobber root extract, kratum, and other natural botanicals.

Okay, so counselor, can we put that on Detective Crichton's radar for at least 21 year old requirements?

Yeah, yes, we can follow up with correspondence and detect we can send it to her to detective create now to speak with owners about it to ensure that they're not selling underage.

Okay, liquor concept.

Oh, I'm sorry, do we have uh Commissioner Sigarola?

Thank you, Mary.

You know, related to that, I think we should also add nitrous oxide discussion on that.

I believe we do have an ordinance on that.

Um, but I'm hearing more and more about that as well, and that's being an issue.

Uh reading in other municipalities that they've had you know arrests on that, do eyes on that.

So I just thought that we should have a discussion on that as well.

Okay, why don't we add a new business item for our next meeting to address uh emerging trends?

And then between counselor Bonner and Detective Creighton and uh our city clerk's office, we can determine what should be on that list of things to talk about because the requests are starting to come in fast and furious.

And in addition to that, we could also address the uptick in the number of tobacco related fines that have happened over the the course of time because these are not fines for the sale of traditional tobacco products.

So I would argue that that's an emerging trend as well.

So we'll put that on for next time.

All right, liquor concept.

Well, I'm sorry, uh Commissioner Carrera.

Uh going back to the Bassett training.

I just uh completed it last week, was the Naperville part of it, and then the it's Bassett on the fly now, which is you go at your own pace.

It is the the city neighborhood one's very easy and user-friendly, about 20 minutes, and the on-the-fly one you can it's a lot quicker than the four hours.

So the people have the excuse now that they don't have the time to complete these courses, it's pretty unacceptable, so it's very easy to keep in mind.

Commissioner Douglas.

Along those lines, I do think we need to look at the new route 59 block 59 to make sure that the Bassett training is indeed happening at all the new restaurants that are opening up.

Okay.

Liquor concept.

Okay, since our last meeting, we've had quite a few liquor concepts.

Um in May, we had Viceroy Indian Cuisine come in requesting a class A license.

Uh the restaurant is open, but they have not submitted their application yet.

Ancho and agave uh requested a class B license.

It's under construction right now, and the application was sent.

In June, we had the George.

Um it's a class B liquor license.

They're under construction right now.

I have not received the application yet.

Um Yabasushi is a class A liquor license.

Uh, we did send an application, and that's in progress.

Mazala Pizza is an Indian fusion pizza restaurant.

We sent the application, but I believe they're under construction right now.

In July, we had Yoshi Raman, a class A license.

Um we did send them an application and they have submitted.

U Sushi Club Rotary, a class A, they are open but have not submitted uh for their liquor yet.

Velvet Taco is a Mexican restaurant going in that Route 59 area.

We sent them an application, but they're still under construction.

Uh we did have Riverwalk Adult Day Services Bingo Fundraiser.

Uh we sent them an application and they're in progress.

And then St.

Rafi Church, family fund night.

Uh we sent them an application and they're in progress as well.

Okay, any questions for liquor concept.

Seeing none, uh Commissioner Caranda.

I would like to uh inform everyone that I will be uh partnering in the George.

I have not signed anything yet, but so I will be resigning before the next meeting.

So I just want to thank everyone up here and all the commissioners to staff, especially Jennifer and Chev, to answering all our inquiries and occasionally fine-tuning some of our motions.

Um is much appreciated.

And uh to the two mayors in front of it's been an honor to be a part of both your tenures and even if it's just a small way.

So thank you all very much.

Thank you.

Okay, and and with that, I I do have a certificate for you that I would like to present.

All right, this is presented uh from City of Naperville Boardsville Commission Recognition Award to John Farana.

Recognition and appreciation for your distinguished service on the liquor commission, your valuable contribution to the city of Naperville and its citizens on Scott Worldly higher.

Thanks, Action.

There's your hair, baby.

So I guess that means you have to buy a fugous.

I guess that means I'm the youngest commissioner now.

Okay, seeing no further business, is there a motion to adjourn?

So Jericho?

Second.

All those in favor sign aye.

Aye.

We are adjourned.