City council faces backlash over liquor license amendment delay

During a recent Highland Park city council meeting, significant discussions centered around the proposed amendment to the local liquor license ordinance, which would allow liquor license holders to serve as local elected officials. Councilmember Little emphasized the importance of addressing this issue, noting that public support has been overwhelming, with over 300 emails in favor and only one against the amendment. The council's previous votes on the matter were influenced by concerns about potential conflicts of interest, particularly when Councilmember Hubler, a liquor license holder, was still in office. However, with Hubler's resignation and the council now fully staffed with seven members, the dynamics have shifted.

Despite the public's clear interest, the amendment was not placed on the agenda for the meeting, leading to frustration among council members who felt it was a missed opportunity to respond to constituents' needs. The council's decision not to act means that residents may need to gather signatures to bring the issue to a referendum, which some council members criticized as an unnecessary burden on the community.

In addition to the liquor license discussion, public comments addressed ongoing concerns about the Albion project, particularly noise issues related to air conditioning units. Resident Peter Mordini expressed dissatisfaction with the slow progress in resolving these problems, highlighting the impact on his family's quality of life. City officials assured him that they would follow up on the matter and work towards a resolution.

The meeting underscored the council's challenges in balancing various community concerns while navigating procedural hurdles. The liquor license amendment remains a contentious topic, reflecting broader issues of governance and public trust in local leadership.