Kenosha License & Permit Committee approves routine renewals, denies several operator applications; schedules special meeting

The Kenosha Common Council License & Permit Committee on May 12 approved multiple routine license renewals and new permits while denying or deferring several individual operators’ bartender licenses after reviewing demerit-point records and required assessments.

Key outcomes included approval or concurrence recommendations to the full council for a series of taxi permits, cabaret and retail alcohol licenses, and programmatic temporary-event permits. The committee also followed city attorney recommendations to deny or defer individual operator applications tied to points on state or local records or to noncompliance with court-ordered assessments.

Votes at a glance - Approval of minutes for the April 28, 2025 meeting — motion approved by voice vote. - Item 1 (renewal applications for multiple operators’ bartender licenses subject to city attorney demerit recommendations) — moved and approved by the committee. - Item 2 (Jacqueline Stein, new operator’s license) — applicant withdrew the application; no committee action required. - Item 3 (James Porter, new operator’s license) — committee considered a city attorney recommendation to deny based on material police records and false application; the committee debated demerit-point adjustments tied to assessment completion and Department of Transportation records during the hearing. - Item 4 (Britney Hagopian, renewal) — committee approved a recommendation to renew the license but placed the renewal “subject to nonrenewal” (a conditional safeguard); committee members said the renewal will stand if Hagopian provides proof of enrollment/completion in the required assessment program. - Item 5 (Savannah Martinez, new operator’s license) — applicant not present; committee moved to deny based on material police record and recommendation from city attorney; motion passed. - Item 6 (Steve Obertz, amusement/recreation enterprise license) — approved with 25 demerit points reported. - Items 7–10 (seasonal/event and temporary outdoor extensions including Simmons Island Battle of the Bands, Mariahs events, and cabaret licenses) — applicant hearings held where required and the committee approved recommendations to grant the temporary and event permits. - Items 11–12 (taxicab permit for Carrie Oberholtzer; taxi driver license for Michaela Martinelli) — committee concurred with staff recommendations; Martinelli’s license was approved with 20 demerit points after city attorney review of a recently surrendered out-of-state license. - Items 13–17 (permanent outdoor extension and several retail/licensing renewals including proposed closing-hour change for The Tipsy Kiwi and renewals for multiple retailers) — committee approved these items; item 16 (Fontaine Food Store LLC application for a Class A beer/liquor license) drew two recorded “nay” votes but the motion carried. - Item 18 (renewal for Main Garden Chinese Restaurant) — committee approved after city attorney advised there was insufficient evidence to proceed to a revocation hearing. - Item 19 (bulk renewals across license classes) — committee approved renewals for dozens of licensees as listed on the agenda. - Item 20 — committee scheduled a special License & Permit Committee meeting for May 28 at 4:30 p.m.; the meeting will be held only if needed.

Committee members emphasized consistency: the demerit-point system and court-ordered assessment interviews are the primary mechanisms the committee uses to weigh operator applications. Several applicants were told they could avoid a revocation proceeding by completing mandatory assessments and submitting proof to the city attorney’s office.

City attorney staff repeatedly explained that completion of state-ordered assessments and confirmation on DOT records can reduce recommended point totals (removing up to 100 points for assessments and additional reductions if offenses were properly reported on applications), which can change committee recommendations on subsequent appearances.

The meeting closed with a motion to adjourn. Many routine renewals and event permits were approved to move forward to council where required; a few operator licenses were denied or left to the applicant to correct outstanding assessments or records before reconsideration.