Council clears tavern and tobacco license applications after questions about city compliance
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Summary
The Moline City Council approved transfers and new incidental tobacco dealer licenses — including for JD Close (Broken/Bridal Saddle Saloon), Central Store LLC, and Oman Food & Gas — while members asked whether businesses had been operating without required city licenses and whether tax revenue may have been missed.
The Moline City Council voted Dec. 16 to approve several license and ordinance changes to bring existing businesses into compliance with local licensing rules.
Council approved an ordinance to allow JD Close Entertainment LLC to purchase the Broken Saddle Saloon and transfer the class B tavern license. Relatedly, the council approved an amendment to permit JD Close d/b/a Bridal Saddle Saloon to hold a class B incidental tobacco dealer license. Staff described these as purchases of existing businesses that do not increase the city’s total number of licenses.
A separate ordinance granted a class B incidental tobacco dealer license to Central Store LLC to regularize a business that held a state tobacco license but, staff said, lacked a recorded city tobacco license. Council members discussed whether the city may have missed tax revenue while the business operated without a recorded city license; staff said administrative enforcement and a letter to the business are in progress.
During debate, Alderman Timmyan asked for clarification about the difference between a state tobacco license and the city license, and whether existing business operations mean the city lost revenue. "What is a state tobacco license?" Timmyan asked, and staff explained that both state and local licensing systems can apply and that the city will handle compliance matters administratively.
Votes: the tavern purchase and several tobacco license items passed on roll calls (some items recorded as unanimous approvals; one tobacco license vote was recorded 7 ayes, 1 nay). Council members said the approvals are intended to bring businesses into compliance rather than to be punitive.
Next steps: staff will send administrative communications to businesses with licensing irregularities, pursue any remedial administrative actions if necessary, and ensure future licensing flows through the appropriate city office rather than finance.