Get Full Government Meeting Transcripts, Videos, & Alerts Forever!
Get email alerts on the License Quota Update topic
No spam. Unsubscribe anytime.
City clerk tells committee Wauwatosa is 472 residents away from an extra reserve intoxicating-liquor license
Summary
City clerk briefed the Government Affairs Committee on alcohol-license types and the statutory quota, saying Wauwatosa currently holds 45 regular licenses and 26 reserve licenses—two reserve slots are available under the quota calculation, and the city is 472 residents short of qualifying for another reserve license under the Department of Admin.
City Clerk Steve briefed the Wauwatosa City Government Affairs Committee on June 3 about the statutory quota and current inventory of retail intoxicating-liquor licenses, explaining how population certification affects available reserve licenses.
Steve told the committee the city is allowed 45 regular intoxicating-liquor licenses and 28 reserve licenses under the statutory quota; at the close of the licensing period the city held 45 regular licenses and 26 reserve licenses. "If you see my memo, we're actually only 472 residents away from getting another reserve license," the clerk said, describing a 1997 calculation used in the Department of Administration population certification process.
The clerk summarized license categories for the committee: Class A licenses (off-premises sales, e.g., liquor stores) have no statutory quota; Class B (on-premises consumption, bars and restaurants) have a quota for intoxicating liquor but not for fermented malt beverage; Class C (wine-only) licenses were recently modified at the state level and now have no statutory quota or business-type restriction. He noted existing statutory exemptions that permit "over the quota" licenses for certain hotels and restaurants that meet specified thresholds (for example, specified room or seating counts). The clerk also described one active conversion that will free a municipal license: the Explorium Pub elected a state classification change that, once approved by the state, will return one city license to the pool.
Committee members asked for clarification about timing and process. The clerk said the Wisconsin Department of Administration certifies municipal population every September, and when that certification raises Wauwatosa's approved population above the 1997 threshold, the new reserve license becomes available; the city must still process any application through its normal review steps. Alders discussed that qualifying hotels (e.g., the upcoming Staybridge) and other businesses will still need to meet application requirements and pay required fees to obtain licenses even if an extra slot becomes available. The clerk said staff will continue to track inquiries and pending projects that may require licenses, including a new events manager for the Miller Building.
This was an informational presentation; no committee action was requested.
