St. Charles Government Operations Committee approves liquor licenses, Turkey Trot street closure, Santa Cottage gift and donated response vehicle

The Government Operations Committee of the City of St. Charles approved a package of consent items during its Oct. 6 meeting, including three business liquor/massage-license requests, authorization for the 2025 Turkey Trot street closure and amplification, acceptance of a donated holiday “Santa Cottage,” and acceptance of a donated non-transport response vehicle for fire-department use.

Votes at a glance

- Omnibus consent motion (general consent for agenda items identified for omnibus): moved by Spellman, seconded by Bessner; outcome: approved (roll call: Kem—yes; Spellman—yes; Petrella—yes; Werbaugh—yes; Fesner—yes; Fokayas—yes; Folkes—yes; Muntz—yes; others recorded as present and voting yes). - Item 5A — Massage-license recommendation for Flower of Life Yoga and Wellness Center, LLC: motion to approve moved by Werbaugh, seconded by Munz; outcome: approved (roll call recorded as yes by committee). - Item 5B — F2 liquor-license recommendation for Wired Up Party Zone (doing business as Wired Up Party Zone): motion to approve moved by Munn, seconded by Petrillo; outcome: approved. - Item 5C — F2 liquor-license recommendation for Verdi Collective LLC (owner Derek Cooper): motion to approve moved by Vanguard, seconded by Wuerball; outcome: approved. - Item 5D — Street closures and amplification permit for the 2025 Turkey Trot (Route 31 between Red Gate Road and Fieldcrest Drive; Race Village on St. Charles North Campus): motion to approve moved and seconded (recorded as second by Kem); outcome: approved. - Item 6B — Resolution to accept donation of a new Santa Cottage (gifted by the St. Charles business community / local sponsor and constructed by local craftsman Randy Unick) for installation on First Street Plaza: motion to approve moved by Werbaugh, seconded by Petrillo; outcome: approved. - Item 7A — Resolution to accept donation of a 2010 International-series vehicle from the Kainesville Fire Protection District for non-transport fire/EMS standby and department operations: motion to approve moved by Bondard, seconded by Munn; outcome: approved.

What the committee approved

Flower of Life Yoga and Wellness Center — massage license (Item 5A): Police Chief Lichen told the committee the business is an existing local yoga studio seeking to add appointment-only massage services staffed by state-licensed therapists. The committee approved the Liquor Commissioner’s earlier recommendation for the massage license. Werbaugh moved the approval; Munz seconded.

Wired Up Party Zone — F2 liquor-license application (Item 5B): Chief Lichen described the business as a gaming/event space currently focused on children’s parties and seeking the F2 license so patrons can bring packaged alcoholic beverages to consume on premises at adult events. Committee member Mr. Silvano asked, “Who monitors inside about being 21?” Police Chief Lichen replied, “It would still fall under the liquor license law, just like we would at a bar, just like we would at a restaurant,” and noted the city can perform compliance checks as with other licensed establishments. The committee approved the application.

Verdi Collective LLC — F2 liquor-license application (Item 5C): Chief Lichen said Verdi Collective (owned principally by Derek Cooper) proposes a golf-simulator concept where packaged alcoholic beverages may be consumed on site by persons 21 and older; nothing would be stored or served by the establishment. The committee approved the license application.

2025 Turkey Trot — street closure and amplification (Item 5D): The committee approved closing a portion of Route 31 (between Red Gate Road and Fieldcrest Drive) for the third annual Thanksgiving Day Turkey Trot, with an established detour and officers at intersections. Organizers plan a Race Village at St. Charles North Campus and requested a permit for amplification; staff said prior events have drawn between about 1,000 and 1,200 registrants and organizers estimate 1,500–2,000 this year but reported no prior parking issues. The motion to approve passed.

Santa Cottage donation (Item 6B): The committee accepted a gift of a new Santa Cottage to be installed on First Street Plaza; the cottage was described as sponsored by the St. Charles business community and built by local craftsman Randy Unick. Staff confirmed storage and transport arrangements with Public Works; a ribbon-cutting is planned during the Lighting of the Lights celebration on Friday, Nov. 28 at 5 p.m.

Donated non-transport response vehicle for Fire Department (Item 7A): Fire Chief Mothy presented a 2010 International-series vehicle offered for donation by the Kainesville Fire Protection District. Chief Mothy said the unit will be licensed as a non-transport vehicle through the Illinois Department of Public Health (IDPH), will have ambulance markings removed, and would be used for EMS standbys (football games, marathons, other special events) and operational tasks such as firefighter rehabilitation and carrying supplies. The department’s emergency vehicle technician inspected the vehicle and reported it in solid mechanical condition despite age and mileage. The committee approved acceptance of the donation. Chief Mothy and multiple members emphasized the vehicle will not be used as a transport ambulance and will remain distinct from contracted transport providers.

Process and next steps

All listed motions were carried by roll call in the committee meeting. Where concerns were raised (for example, how F2 license compliance will be monitored at Wired Up Party Zone), staff said the liquor-license framework and on-site compliance checks provide enforcement mechanisms and that the city can add the issue to its enforcement radar.

Ending

Approved items will move forward per the city’s administrative processes (licenses to be issued, permits to be processed, the donated cottage and vehicle to be accepted and integrated into operations). Committee members and staff noted operational follow-ups (storage, licensing with IDPH, and coordination with Public Works for the Santa Cottage).