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Macomb council sends new event‑center liquor license to second reading
Summary
The council advanced an ordinance to create a Class EVC event‑center liquor license allowing up to 50 events per year, adding an occupancy‑based surcharge to the annual fee; the measure was placed on the agenda for second reading and final action at the first August meeting.
The Macomb City Council placed an ordinance on for second reading that would create a new Class EVC liquor license for event centers, a change city attorneys said is intended to provide a licensed path for venues that host public events.
The city attorney told the council the EVC would mirror the current event license, allow up to 50 events a year, and impose an annual license fee plus an occupancy‑based surcharge set by the fire chief; as presented, a 500‑person occupancy would yield a $1,500 fee under the proposed schedule. The attorney said the license would require the same server training and certification required of other liquor licenses.
Aldermen asked whether private, invitation‑only events could continue to allow privately supplied alcohol; the city attorney confirmed private events with controlled entry do not require a city liquor license. Council members said the ordinance responds to requests from local proprietors and provides a clearer liability framework for event operators and property owners.
“A licensed option is a better way to handle it,” Alderman Dorset said, supporting a regulated path for public events. After discussion the council scheduled the ordinance for second reading and final action at the first meeting in August.
If adopted, the change will create a distinct licensing category for businesses that operate event centers and want to offer alcoholic beverage sales at public events while adhering to occupancy limits and server‑training requirements.
