St. Charles Committee Approves Liquor Licenses, Updates City Code

Overview of the Meeting

The St. Charles Government Operations Committee convened on April 22, 2025, for a concise meeting lasting just over seven minutes. Key topics included liquor license approvals, updates to the city code, and an Executive Session for personnel matters.

Key Approvals and Discussions

Liquor License Approvals for Local Businesses

The committee reviewed and approved three liquor license requests:

• Courtyard by Marriott: The hotel, under new ownership by Driftwood Special Servicing LLC, was approved for a D2 license. The new owners had operated briefly without a license due to a misunderstanding, and staff will follow up with management regarding temporary measures until the license is active.

• Monta Pickle Ball Club: Scheduled to open in early 2026, the club was approved for a B3 restaurant license with a late-night permit. The facility will feature pickleball courts, a restaurant, bar service, and live music events.

• Whole Foods Market: The upcoming location at 300 South Second Street, formerly Blue Goose, was granted an E2 license for retail alcohol sales. Renovations are ongoing, and the opening date is yet to be announced.

Updates to Title Two of the City Code

Jennifer McMahon, Director of Human Resources, presented recommendations to modernize Title Two of the city code.Key changes included:

• Correcting grammatical errors, including a humorous error changing “5 feet” to “5 days” for mayoral veto comments.

• Updating gendered pronouns with inclusive language or position titles.

• Modernizing department titles, replacing outdated terms like “Information Systems” with “Technology.”

• Removing obsolete references to “paid on call firefighters,” a position that no longer exists.

The committee unanimously approved these updates.

Executive Session and Additional Notes

Following approvals, the committee moved to an Executive Session to discuss personnel matters. No public comments were submitted, and no additional items were raised by the mayor, council, or staff.

Meeting Highlights at a Glance

Topic	Decision/Outcome	Time Stamp
Opening procedures and roll call	Meeting commenced	0:06
Omnibus bill items	Motion passed, item 5A removed	0:28
Courtyard by Marriott license	Approved, follow-up required	1:02
Monta Pickle Ball Club license	Approved	2:36
Whole Foods Market license	Approved	4:06
City code corrections	Approved	5:08
Executive Session motion	Approved	6:40

Final Thoughts

The April 22, 2025 Government Operations Committee Meeting demonstrated the city’s commitment to supporting local business growth while maintaining regulatory oversight. The approval of liquor licenses for three key establishments reflects St. Charles’ evolving commercial landscape, while updates to the city code ensure that governance remains modern and inclusive.

With further discussions expected in future sessions, these changes highlight the city’s dedication to both economic development and streamlined legislative processes.