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Committee approves multiple alcohol licenses after police report flags underage sales and prescription-drug findings; festivals seek permanent permit
Summary
The Judiciary Administration Committee approved a slate of alcohol licenses and a reserve license for La Crosse Festivals after receiving a police compliance report that cited failures to follow abatement plans, underage service incidents, and illegal prescription drugs discovered at a Citgo. La Crosse Festivals sought a Class B license to expand events at the fest grounds; all motions passed unanimously.
The Judiciary Administration Committee on March 31 unanimously approved a package of alcohol and event-related licenses after hearing a police compliance report that described recent underage-service citations and an investigation into illegally sold prescription medications.
Sergeant Manduano of the La Crosse Police Department told the committee that bar checks are up 40% from last year, with 123 checks in the most recent quarter. He said Tequilas on West Avenue failed to provide required logs under an existing abatement plan and that a Feb. 25 compliance check located an underage individual; overall the establishment has accumulated four citations over the 12‑month period, and two cited cases are pending appeal in circuit court. On Citgo, Manduano said officers discovered controlled prescription medications during inspections and that, after consultation with the district attorney and a pharmacist, charges were pursued and are scheduled to be heard in April. "If those citations are found to be guilty, they will be eligible for revocation or nonrenewal," he said.
Council President Dickinson moved approval of the various licenses subject to compliance; the motion passed unanimously.
La Crosse Festivals representatives told the committee they seek a permanent municipal Class B beer and liquor license (and an outdoor cabaret license) for the Fest Grounds so the organization can host more events year-round. "This license would allow us to better utilize our downtown space and ensure that both our organization and our events remain relevant and competitive," said Hannah Amundson, executive director of La Crosse Festivals. Amundson said the organization views the change as an economic opportunity for the Coulee region.
Jennifer Krasnowich, president of La Crosse Festivals' board of directors, said the festivals returned more than $200,000 to more than 75 nonprofits, schools and charities in 2025 and that Oktoberfest and other events support local jobs. "Granting this license would allow us to responsibly expand the number and variety of events held on the Fest Grounds," she said, stressing the organization does not intend to operate a traditional bar with hand‑poured liquor at its sanctioned events.
Clerk Gelson told the committee the city has met its quota of available municipal licenses; La Crosse Festivals paid a $10,000 one‑time fee for a reserve license to secure the location for the remainder of the current license year, which expires June 30, 2026. The clerk also described a new category—producer full‑service retail—approved in the municipal code to accommodate fixed locations for distilleries, breweries and wineries; Driftless Pure LLC (doing business as La Crosse Distillery) plans a fixed outlet at the Riverside Center Cargill Room effective May 1, 2026.
Committee members asked staff to confirm cabaret license dates and other operational details before renewal; clerk and staff said the approvals on the consent list are for the remainder of the current license year and that renewals will appear on next year’s list.
The committee approved the various license applications by unanimous vote.
