[{"_1":2,"_99":-5,"_100":-5},"loaderData",{"_3":4,"_26":27},"root",{"_5":6,"_17":10,"_18":19,"_20":21,"_22":10,"_23":-5,"_24":-5,"_25":10},"user",{"_7":8,"_9":10,"_11":10,"_12":-5,"_13":-5,"_14":15,"_16":-5},"roles",[],"isAuthenticated",false,"isPremium","planName","subscriptionStatus","featureFlags",{},"insightsBudget","isDevelopmentHost","userPreferences",{},"recaptchaSiteKey","6LcvOJcUAAAAAHsB-gPGfGktcRlKpH7OTIU_dMTD","isImpersonating","impersonation","affiliateStatus","isFreedomPortal","routes/v2/article/layout",{"_28":29,"_30":31},"notFound",true,"relatedArticles",[32,75,87],{"_33":34,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":40,"_41":42,"_43":44,"_45":46,"_47":48,"_49":50,"_51":52,"_53":54,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":60,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":66,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},"mediaId",6466562,"mediaKeyId","5823503-7c4e2f415c36488170d884e6267bbf10","parentId",5823503,"title","Committee recommends denial of mechanical amusement device license for Mad Elephant (Taste of Thai)","audioSeconds",1398,"startMs",2144220,"endMs",3542595,"viewUrl","/Search/View?dp=1&key=5823503-7c4e2f415c36488170d884e6267bbf10&start=2144&end=3542","thumbnailUrl","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5823503-7c4e2f415c36488170d884e6267bbf10/thumbnail_2144220.jpg","articleUrl","/articles/6466562/Appleton-City/Winnebago-County/Wisconsin/Committee-recommends-denial-of-mechanical-amusement-device-license-for-Mad-Elephant-Taste-of-Thai","mediaUrl","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6466562-8f9f33b00f19b2461bc402669f5e4e5c/orig.mp4?Expires=1770720435&Signature=Fz6Jgcy84~Cu53gZiJ0r~pcDxp228J7b9guLOMCkHOLIwbCzfsBTX9Y6AmAdJa8TtUO0pELZT0ac7mdZ0VR~Wtf0w8awJ-lp-xdF~i0OKmc414ZIXMr-lHkNYJRVpCqM62JJjZHBoYelsmJJeOY0MznA2htWDC5ZQxR3pfsqx-tBTfkFUoigqX5sSpmNLmaESXWX1gc2DanyLFKTju5ZhBRLZ1q6jEocSuvcVtdhNq5pJPP7~FSNRmfnM~jscS7rUxJKZnsxUoVzEAaa6EP2kswHKfm03n~C5ONpGAoTLI2~STAg43YP5KD8jwWOHn9pBVL04QSzCaHOFSabRwkIJQ__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","author","City of Appleton, WI","date","2025-09-24T00:00:00Z","article","The Safety & Licensing Committee recommended denial of a mechanical amusement-device license for Mad Elephant (Taste of Thai Appleton LLC) by a 5–0 vote on Wednesday, forwarding the recommendation to the City Council.

Attorney Garrett Golster, representing the applicant (business owner Sheesai Zhekmaiwang), argued the machines proposed for the business are lawful amusement devices and not gambling machines under Wisconsin law. Golster said the police memo relied on general internet product descriptions and did not show that an officer had inspected a machine in Wisconsin. He also described manufacturer-declared features — a “mandatory reveal” that lets a user view an outcome before playing, and a “skill wheel” that requires player input — and cited Wisconsin case law indicating that “chance must predominate” to qualify as gambling.

City counsel and the police department framed the question differently. The Appleton Police Department had issued a memo urging denial, citing commercial machine payout language and promotional material that emphasized jackpots and progressive network payouts. City counsel told the committee the dispositive legal test is whether the machine, as used, affords an opportunity to obtain something of value by chance; counsel said that, depending on how the machines operate and how they would be used on the premises, the devices could raise red flags and that the committee retained discretion to require more information or deny the license.

Committee members debated the sufficiency of the police memo and the evidence provided by the applicant, including whether the machines would be used to pay out prizes or cash and whether the devices’ features made them games of skill rather than chance. After discussion, a motion to deny the application carried 5–0.

Votes at a glance
- Motion: Deny mechanical amusement-device license application for Mad Elephant / Taste of Thai Appleton LLC (agent: Chisa Jitmai Wang) at 1222 S. Oneida St.; recommended by Appleton Police Department.
- Outcome: Recommended denial to City Council (5–0)

What’s next: The denial recommendation will be forwarded to the full City Council. The applicant was advised they may appear at the council meeting to speak on the matter.","mediaType","Video","parentTitle","City of Appleton, WI - Safety and Licensing Committee on 2025-09-24 5:30 PM","oneSentenceSummary","After reviewing a police memo alleging gambling-style features on the machines, Appleton’s Safety & Licensing Committee voted 5-0 to recommend denial of a mechanical amusement-device license for Mad Elephant / Taste of Thai at 1222 S. Oneida St.","taxTitle","Appleton City, Winnebago County, Wisconsin","taxId",3976,"location","headline","","shortSummary",{"_33":76,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":77,"_41":78,"_43":79,"_45":80,"_47":81,"_49":82,"_51":83,"_53":84,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":85,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":86,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6466565,"Committee recommends approval of Class B and C licenses for BB Sports Cards",1408,711695,2119741,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=5823503-7c4e2f415c36488170d884e6267bbf10&start=711&end=2119","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5823503-7c4e2f415c36488170d884e6267bbf10/thumbnail_711695.jpg","/articles/6466565/Appleton-City/Winnebago-County/Wisconsin/Committee-recommends-approval-of-Class-B-and-C-licenses-for-BB-Sports-Cards","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6466565-37ccd935542a47320509f717de875ddd/orig.mp4?Expires=1770720435&Signature=CkMWCdd~B-rN6HXQsXDHPbKotKpvMjiwevQ6D95qxXDDA~AcGUchlLfJvw2~whdrfnDhSGHXyTuyM0e9NUgAh-KSvgeC9kmLzUUiYQtLmJvAON8wP6mRGO~L~xTk94uVoenLSlMcPfLPCrgGSKJ75v-pF74ocMse3pLJbyfhBWn-jQBq9qITY69GZXZOGAnpCVdQulUBaHmUQQoV9jxQtluHBnZwcCio6~qdtlXifRLxyiNCREQjr4hR-FioDS39RZX8170z75r64Uce-sDm1sIMWTaGa6RbKk62xr1vr99AH-0tfLnJfN73YLAg6M26ZcP~NTO1mM~iLyHDODX4Kw__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The Appleton Safety & Licensing Committee recommended approval of both a Class B fermented malt beverage license and a Class C wine license for BB Sports Cards LLC on Wednesday, voting 5-0 to forward the application to the full City Council.

BB Sports Cards, which operates at 2310 West College Avenue Unit A, applied for both licenses. Benji Baker, who said he is representing the business (his wife Diana is the named agent), told the committee the store functions as a modern hobby/entertainment venue with lounge seating, large televisions, live “breaks” and rental nights for fantasy-football drafts and birthday parties, and that alcohol sales would support that model.

Clerk Mollader and committee members discussed whether state law specifically restricts a Class B license for this type of establishment. The clerk’s memo and a subsequent explanation from municipal counsel noted that Wisconsin Statute 125.32(3)(m) applies restrictions to Class B fermented malt beverage licenses but does not automatically bar every nontraditional retail use; the memo said a Class C wine license is less restricted. City counsel (Attorney Berwin) told the committee the statutes contain carve-outs for certain recreational premises and novelty/gift-shop-style operations and that the committee has discretion to interpret whether a specific business fits those categories.

Committee members debated the fit of the business model with the statutes and comparable examples (axe-throwing and golf-simulator venues were discussed). Several alderpersons said the store’s regular organized gaming and large-group events looked like a recreational premise rather than a simple retail shop and expressed support for approval. After discussion the committee voted to approve the application as submitted.

The committee’s approval is contingent on the usual administrative checks: pending health-inspection and public-works approvals listed on the clerk’s memo. The recommendation will go to the full City Council at its next meeting; committee members encouraged the applicant to sign up for public participation at that meeting.

Votes at a glance
- Motion: Approve Class B and Class C license applications for BB Sports Cards LLC (DBA BB Sports Cards), agent Diana Baker, location 2310 W. College Ave., Unit A; contingent on health and public-works approvals.
- Outcome: Recommended to City Council (5–0)

What’s next: The matter goes to the full City Council; the committee’s vote is a recommendation, not the final licensing decision.","Appleton’s Safety & Licensing Committee voted 5-0 to recommend that the City Council approve Class B (beer) and Class C (wine) licenses for BB Sports Cards LLC, an entertainment-oriented hobby shop at 2310 W. College Ave., contingent on routine health and public-works approvals.",{"_33":88,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":89,"_41":90,"_43":91,"_45":92,"_47":93,"_49":94,"_51":95,"_53":96,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":97,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":98,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6466557,"Committee forwards amended truancy ordinance to council after weeks of debate; 3–2 vote",6089,3561095,9650790,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=5823503-7c4e2f415c36488170d884e6267bbf10&start=3561&end=9650","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5823503-7c4e2f415c36488170d884e6267bbf10/thumbnail_3561095.jpg","/articles/6466557/Appleton-City/Winnebago-County/Wisconsin/Committee-forwards-amended-truancy-ordinance-to-council-after-weeks-of-debate-32-vote","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6466557-71b8f1434f64fd57dc487d8bf7095b24/orig.mp4?Expires=1770720435&Signature=NsV-Qa4x6iTHFLYUVZQI9Dr5sNQmwDLb4tmonMCWQCSyYv2eN-icUC91yp0qgFxZYDdt2B7iuthJHhjLdZqNp0EaE8azo~4WPqpbMMXNwL6G1lSP2bS-40YzYeI-SEyRxO2MlpOdN-j3nsOgy3dEQ99R38M6rOBhwpaDjvMPdVQaegMzfjhZCr92tpfqZougVz1htc5WBEZgWr5xWoKPIeV1~eJIxEieNhg8O799XANjsyzTnPHI52Qcc4tddqefLfYf~avtocbHJQNevkN2lll4bgkaw9loQhpDiOYfYNmpGbwmztxRIUmvMazocQt25kLYn5VGV2cAuMJWioS99g__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","After extensive public testimony and extended committee debate, Appleton’s Safety & Licensing Committee voted 3–2 on Wednesday to forward an amended resolution (R325) establishing a temporary truancy ordinance to the full City Council.

The amended resolution includes language intended to limit use of the ordinance and to add reporting requirements and operational expectations from the Appleton Area School District (AASD). Representatives from AASD — including Superintendent Hartshus, district attendance coordinator Stephanie Marta and others — told the committee the district would add annual operational expectations and is prepared to provide aggregated, non-identifiable data rather than individually identifiable student records. District staff also explained that certain dispositions the court can order (including formal or informal supervision under Wisconsin Statute ch. 938.34) are useful because they can link families with county youth-and-family services and other supports.

Committee debate focused on balancing supportive services with the risk of punitive outcomes. The committee adopted an amendment that narrows the list of allowable court dispositions under the ordinance to subsections b, d, e, g, h and j of the relevant state statute (these include supervised work/counseling/community service, education program attendance, revocation of a work permit in some cases, orders to attend school, monetary forfeiture up to statutory limits, and formal/informal supervision for up to one year). The committee also added a set of requested data points for the district to report to the clerk’s office (for example: number of truancy citations issued in the past semester; number of citations subsequently expunged due to student compliance; convictions and dispositions from prior semesters; updated absentee and truancy statistics for the prior semester). The district told the committee it cannot provide individually identifiable records due to state and federal student-privacy laws but will provide aggregate statistics and a procedural checklist to the SRO when a referral is made.

Committee members also discussed capacity safeguards. Superintendent Hartshus and district staff told the committee the district commits to maintaining referral levels that do not exceed the capacity of Outagamie County Circuit Court or city staff; earlier briefings indicated the parties were discussing a referral range of roughly 30–40 students as a practical upper limit. Committee members said the ordinance would be treated as a last-resort tool after a flow of district supports and interventions.

After debate the committee voted 3–2 to send the amended resolution to the City Council; the committee’s vote is a recommendation and the council will consider final adoption. Committee members noted the ordinance can be repealed or revised by subsequent council action if reporting, oversight or outcomes do not meet expectations.

Votes at a glance
- Motion: Forward amended temporary truancy ordinance (resolution R325) to City Council with specified dispositions (b, d, e, g, h, j) and reporting requirements; include operational expectations adopted by AASD and capacity safeguard language.
- Outcome: Recommended to City Council (3–2)

What’s next: The resolution will be considered at the next City Council meeting. District and city staff said they will provide the aggregate statistics and procedural checklists described to the clerk’s office and to the School Resource Officer (SRO) in cases referred to the city.","After months of discussion and two hours of public testimony at Wednesday’s Safety & Licensing Committee meeting, members voted 3–2 to send an amended temporary truancy ordinance to the City Council with reporting conditions and a cap intended to limit referrals to court.","actionData","errors"]

Article not found

Committee recommends denial of mechanical amusement device license for Mad Elephant (Taste of Thai)

Committee recommends approval of Class B and C licenses for BB Sports Cards

Committee forwards amended truancy ordinance to council after weeks of debate; 3–2 vote