Council unanimously approves consent agenda and three alcohol licenses

The Fond du Lac City Council unanimously approved its consent agenda and granted three alcohol-related licenses during its March 12, 2025 meeting.

The council approved the consent agenda—minutes from the Feb. 26, 2025 regular meeting and the list of claims dated March 5, 2025—on a motion by Mr. Godfrey with a second by Mr. Zimmerman. The motion passed unanimously.

City Clerk Miss Hefter introduced three separate license requests that the council approved after brief staff reports and without extended discussion. The council granted a Class C wine license to LA Nails LLC, a Class B fermented malt license to Wisco Cheese and Cheers LLC, and full Class B intoxicating liquor and Class B fermented malt licenses to Fond du Lac Beer Co., LLC.

The clerk said the city updated its municipal code to reflect changes in state law that allow certain retailers to obtain a Class C wine license for on-premises consumption between 8 a.m. and 9 p.m. City staff reported background checks had been completed and recommended approval for each application; the alcohol license committee likewise recommended approval.

Details on the three approvals: - LA Nails LLC: Agent Leon Nguyen, business at 459 W. Johnson St., applied for a Class C wine license to provide wine to customers 21 and older purchasing a luxury pedicure. City staff and the alcohol license committee recommended approval. Motion to approve by Councilmember Tom Schussler, second by Miss Leering; the motion passed unanimously. - Wisco Cheese and Cheers LLC: Agent Melissa Jacobson, business at 362 N. Peters Ave., applied for a Class B fermented malt license to convert part of a car wash into a restaurant. City staff recommended approval contingent on the applicant meeting all city building codes and receiving building occupancy; the license would not be issued until those conditions were met. Motion to approve by Mr. Mullen, second by Mr. Godfrey; the motion passed unanimously. - Fond du Lac Beer Co., LLC: Agent Michael Lehi, business at 21 Fourth Street Court, applied for full Class B intoxicating liquor and fermented malt licenses and indicated it will apply for a brew pub permit with the Wisconsin Department of Revenue, Division of Alcohol Beverages. Background checks and staff review were completed; staff and the alcohol license committee recommended approval. Motion to approve by Mr. Zimmerman, second by Mr. Heisler; the motion passed unanimously. Councilmember Leering commented that the city has significant local interest in a brewery.

Actions recorded in the meeting indicate each item was approved without further conditions beyond those described above. The clerk noted that for Wisco Cheese and Cheers the city will not issue the license until building code and occupancy requirements are satisfied.

The council did not debate the license requests at length and moved on to remaining agenda items after the votes.