Kenosha committee approves multiple business licenses, defers two operator applications

The Kenosha Licensing & Permits Committee on Feb. 10, 2025, approved a string of business license requests — including new operator, taxi, cabaret and retail liquor licenses — and deferred two operator applications for additional documentation and character letters.

The approvals will allow several businesses and individual operators to begin or continue licensed activity subject to conditions the committee spelled out at the meeting. Two applications were deferred so applicants could submit additional information to the clerk’s office prior to final consideration.

Committee members said the votes implement city policy intended to balance neighborhood impacts and public-safety concerns with opportunities for local businesses. Several approvals carried conditions recommended by the city attorney, including demerit-point assessments on new operator licenses.

The committee agreed to grant new operator licenses recommended by the city attorney subject to demerit points for three applicants listed on the agenda. The clerk read the attorney’s recommendations that Carolyn Matthew be granted with 50 demerit points, Shelly Rowe with 70 demerit points and Lavelle Russell with 50 demerit points; the committee voted to concur and approved the items by voice vote. Vice Chairperson Ruffalo moved to concur with the city attorney’s recommendations; the motion passed with ayes and the chair voting aye.

Two operator applications were deferred. The committee moved to defer the application of Sheila Bell after she acknowledged omissions on her application and agreed to submit professional character letters; the clerk asked that letters be submitted to the clerk’s office by Feb. 19. The committee also deferred the application of Kyle Johnson because the applicant was unable to attend; members said the application would be considered at the next regular meeting.

Other approvals on the agenda included: - Kenosha Beach House LLC (agent Merrill Sperghartz): permission to maintain a Class B beer license for the business at 5001 Fourth Avenue. Committee members amended the request to remove Class C liquor from the application before approving the Class B permission-to-maintain; the motion to remove the Class C liquor passed and the amended approval passed by voice vote. - Steven Oberholtzer: new taxicab license (Yellow Cab) for 8627 Seventeenth Avenue; approved on voice vote with no adverse police recommendation recorded. - MLJ Kenosha LLC: probationary cabaret license for 221 Sixtieth Street; approved on voice vote with no adverse police recommendation recorded. - Lois Family Foods LLC (agent listed as Bridal Lois): new Class A beer and liquor license at 280114 Place (Piggly Wiggly location) to be effective in March; approved on voice vote with no adverse police recommendation recorded, subject to surrender of a similar license by Steinbridge Kenosha Foods LLC as noted on the agenda.

The clerk and committee noted a scheduling item: several approved items will also appear on the next council agenda. Public comment on licensing items was permitted at the start of the session; an initial citizen comment on a separate neighborhood complaint (see separate article) was heard before the licensing votes began.

Votes at a glance: - Item 1a: Carolyn Matthew — recommendation to grant with 50 demerit points; motion to concur carried (ayes). (Transcript evidence: agenda read at 218.035–236.46; approval vote at 497.835–501.675.) - Item 1b: Shelly Rowe — recommendation to grant with 70 demerit points; applicant spoke; motion to concur carried (ayes). (Transcript evidence: Rowe speaks 250.475–255.60; attorney explanation 353.19–394.71; vote 497.835–501.675.) - Item 1c: Lavelle Russell — recommendation to grant with 50 demerit points; applicant present and answered questions; motion to concur carried (ayes). (Transcript evidence: applicant questions 437.935–476.395; vote 497.835–501.675.) - Item 2: Sheila Bell — recommendation to deny (city attorney) based on material police records and false application; committee moved to defer to allow submission of character letters; motion to defer passed. (Transcript evidence: agenda read 521.825–534.48; applicant remarks 543.10–696.98; motion to defer 696.985–706.71.) - Item 3: Kyle Johnson — recommendation to deny (city attorney); applicant absent; motion to defer to next scheduled meeting passed. (Transcript evidence: agenda read 787.76–799.14; discussion and deferral 801.725–843.65.) - Item 4: Kenosha Beach House LLC — request to maintain license; committee amended to remove Class C liquor and approved maintaining Class B; motions and approvals recorded. (Transcript evidence: item presentation 844.03–906.015; amendment and vote 1143.65–1187.765.) - Item 5: Steven Oberholtzer — new taxicab license; approved (no adverse police rec.). (Transcript evidence: agenda 1208.19–1223.795; approval 1230.77–1244.945.) - Item 6: MLJ Kenosha LLC — probationary cabaret license; approved (no adverse police rec.). (Transcript evidence: agenda 1249.325–1262.38; approval 1289.86–1299.55.) - Item 7: Lois Family Foods LLC — new Class A beer and liquor license upon surrender of a similar license; approved; effective date on agenda was changed to March. (Transcript evidence: agenda 1302.195–1333.945; approval 1362.245–1385.815.)

The committee closed licensing business and moved to other agenda items after the votes. No formal police objections to the approved items were read into the record for the taxi, cabaret or retail liquor items.

Ending: The committee scheduled deferred operator items for the next meeting and reminded applicants to submit any requested documentation to the clerk’s office by the dates provided during the hearing.