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Platteville council approves temporary beer permit for event after debate and background‑check condition
Summary
After public objections alleging ties between the promoter and a group described as 'Antifa,' the Platteville Common Council voted to approve a temporary Class B fermented malt beverage license for a Sept. 16 event at the Brodsky Center, contingent on completion of background checks for listed event workers.
The Platteville Common Council voted Aug. 27 to issue a temporary Class B fermented malt beverage license for an event at the Brodsky Center on Sept. 16, approving the permit on the condition that required background checks for the named event workers be completed beforehand.
The permit application was filed by the Southern/Southwest Wisconsin Rainbow Alliance; city staff said the organizing brewery, identified in public comments as Minocqua Brewing Company, is listed only as an organizer and is prohibited by state rules from holding a retail license for the event. ‘‘If they hold the license, then they are the ones responsible for the sale,’’ city staff explained during the meeting.
Several residents spoke in opposition. ‘‘This Minocqua Brewing Company is coming in as a ploy under the disguise of get the vote out rally,’’ said Kurt Kalker, who told the council he had distributed paperwork he said links the promoter to an ‘‘Antifa Oktoberfest.’’ Larry Catullier said he found listings on the promoter’s website labeling the event ‘‘Antifa Oktoberfest’’ and urged council to deny use of a city facility.
Council members debated whether to table or deny the permit based on those community concerns. A motion to table the application for three months failed. A subsequent motion to deny the permit also failed on roll call. Councilmember Tom Noll then moved to approve the license contingent on completion of background checks; that motion carried.
City staff told the council that the licensing process requires background checks for all members listed on a temporary permit application and that proceeds would be the responsibility of the license holder, the Rainbow Alliance. The council vote authorizes issuance only after staff confirms the required checks are complete.
The action applies only to the temporary permit to serve fermented malt beverages; event scheduling and non‑licensing matters were not part of the council’s consideration.
No objections from the city clerk or law enforcement were entered into the record at the meeting. The council did not take additional enforcement or revocation action at the time of the vote.
