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Council forwards names of delinquent licensees to state for possible nonrenewal; some accounts set payment arrangements
Summary
Following a public hearing, the council voted to recommend denial or revocation of liquor licenses for specified parcels with outstanding obligations; the treasurer reported some licensees had signed payment arrangements and were removed from immediate enforcement.
After a public hearing on March 20, the Southfield City Council approved a resolution directing the city treasurer to recommend denial or nonrenewal (or revocation) of liquor licenses for parcels with unpaid municipal obligations, consistent with local ordinance and Michigan Liquor Control Commission procedures.
The treasurer's office said the list of potentially delinquent licensees had narrowed as some owners either paid or made payment arrangements. Council discussion noted that the municipal process provides licensees an opportunity to respond at the hearing; the council's resolution lists parcel numbers, owner names and addresses for those cases where municipal accounts remained unresolved at the time of the meeting.
Deputy Treasurer Ashley Bettis explained the next step is a formal written finding by the council that will be transmitted to the state Liquor Control Commission, which has authority over license renewal and revocation. The council's action was taken under the city's ordinance implementing the procedure for recommending nonrenewal due to unpaid municipal obligations.
Council members said the policy intends to ensure license holders meet municipal obligations and that the process will be an annual enforcement exercise by the treasurer's office going forward.
