City Approves Festivals, Licenses, and Policy Updates

Sep 8
3 min read

Introduction

The Government Operations Committee Meeting held on August 16, 2021, was marked by preparations for the city’s signature events, numerous liquor license approvals, and the adoption of a Whistleblower Protection Policy mandated by state law. The 16-minute meeting also addressed recruitment services for key leadership roles.

Key Topics Discussed

1. Fire Department Open House Approval

The committee approved a request to close Parking Lot J and Riverside Drive for the Fire Department’s annual open house on October 9. The popular event was paused in 2020 due to COVID but is expected to draw hundreds of visitors.

2. Multiple Liquor License Approvals

Several liquor license applications were reviewed and approved, reflecting the city’s growing dining and entertainment offerings:

Moonlight Theater: A new Class D10 license for a performing arts venue offering alcohol service from a snack bar.
Pollyanna Brewing Oktoberfest: Class E-2 special event license approved for an October festival during Scarecrow Weekend.
St. Patrick's Catholic Church: Class 1E temporary license for a September Beer Festival.
Whiskey Bend: Class B1 license and 1 AM permit for a new establishment at 222 West Main Street, a historic trolley stop location.
The Office Dining & Spirits: Class B1 license and 1 AM permit approved as part of a business transfer.

A committee member recused themselves from all liquor license discussions due to a conflict of interest.

3. Scarecrow Festival Street and Lot Closures

The committee approved temporary closures of Riverside Avenue and parts of Parking Lot B to accommodate the city’s iconic Scarecrow Festival. The event will feature significant layout changes and handicap-accessible zones to improve visitor flow.

4. Director-Level Recruitment Contract

A $65,500 contract with GovHR was approved to recruit directors for Community Development, Economic Development, and Finance. Recruitment for Economic Development will be delayed pending a compensation review to ensure internal pay equity.

5. Adoption of Whistleblower Protection Policy

The city adopted a new Whistleblower Protection Policy in compliance with Public Act 101-652, also known as the Criminal Justice/Police Reform Act. The policy protects employees reporting misconduct and mandates annual training.

Decisions Made

Approved event closures for Fire Department Open House.
Granted multiple liquor licenses for upcoming events and businesses.
Authorized Scarecrow Festival preparations and traffic adjustments.
Approved a recruitment contract for director positions.
Adopted Whistleblower Protection Policy for all city staff.

Action Items

Fire Department to finalize event logistics.
Approved venues and event organizers to move forward with activities.
Public Works to prepare Scarecrow Festival street closures.
City staff to execute recruitment contract and begin searches.
Annual training and distribution of Whistleblower Policy to be implemented.

Important Notes

The Moonlight Theater license reflects a new liquor license classification designed for performing arts venues.
Pollyanna Brewing’s Oktoberfest is strategically tied to Scarecrow Festival traffic and closures.
Concerns about Whiskey Bend’s investor history were resolved by police review.
The whistleblower policy aligns with Illinois state requirements for municipal operations.

Meeting Timeline

0:26: Roll call and opening remarks
0:59: Approval of administrative items
1:18: Fire Department Open House discussion
2:55 – 9:37: Liquor license reviews and approvals
11:06: Scarecrow Festival preparation approvals
12:12: Recruitment contract approval
14:26: Whistleblower Protection Policy adoption
16:14: Meeting adjournment

Conclusion

The August 16, 2021, Government Operations Committee Meeting reflected a proactive approach to community engagement, economic development, and legal compliance. By approving festival preparations, liquor licenses, leadership recruitments, and a new whistleblower policy, the city reaffirmed its commitment to supporting businesses, celebrating tradition, and promoting accountability.