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Onalaska council upholds denial of Allison Hullwagger's beverage operator license appeal
Summary
The Onalaska Common Council voted unanimously to deny Allison Hullwagger's appeal of a police-recommended denial of her beverage operator license after the police chief reported discrepancies between her letter and body-worn-camera evidence from a 2022 traffic stop and councilors cited false or incomplete application information as grounds for denial.
The Onalaska Common Council voted unanimously Tuesday to deny an appeal by Allison Hullwagger seeking a beverage operator's license, upholding a recommendation from the police chief.
Hullwagger told the council she previously held an operator's license in Onalaska and said she unintentionally omitted a 2022 ticket for an open intoxicant from her application because she forgot to include it. "I completely forgot," she said, and added that she "really enjoy[s] working in the city." She said she paid the ticket but did not recall listing it on her application.
Police Chief Tim Berg told the council he reviewed officer body-worn camera from the traffic stop and found details that differed from Hullwagger's letter. Berg said the can was initially on the front floorboard, later located under the front seat, and that Hullwagger admitted to officers she had consumed "two White Claws." He also said she did not appear in court and later defaulted; records showed the fine was paid in November of that year, not the next day as she had stated. "There were these discrepancies here," Berg said.
City staff clarified that a license issued in June 2020 would have expired in June 2022 and that Hullwagger has not held an Onalaska license since 2022. Council members also noted that the most recent application form makes clear that providing false or incomplete information is grounds for denial.
Council members discussed whether a single past alcohol-related violation would preclude licensure. "I would treat everybody the same," Chief Berg said when asked whether the same standard would apply to other applicants. Councilor Diane Wolf said she would vote to deny, emphasizing the importance of accurate information on official forms, and Councilor Jim Bash said concerns about candor and trustworthiness were relevant given the responsibilities of a bartender.
Councilor Larry Jurassic moved to deny the appeal; Diane Wolf seconded. The mayor called the question and the council voted to uphold the staff decision. The motion carried unanimously.
Under current practice explained by staff, a denied applicant may reapply after one year if future applications disclose the earlier charge and the police chief's subsequent background check does not recommend denial.
The meeting adjourned at 6:50 p.m.
