St. Charles Council Honors Champion Swimmer and Updates Video Gaming Rules

Sep 8
3 min read

Updated: Sep 17

The St. Charles City Council met on May 18, 2022, to honor local student achievements, advocate for gun violence awareness, approve key service agreements, and amend city ordinances related to video gaming licenses.

Meeting Highlights

Student Athlete Recognition

The Council celebrated Alec Alexovich, a state champion swimmer from St. Charles North, highlighting his accomplishments and mentorship role. Coach Rob Rooney noted the city’s strong swimming reputation and the importance of well-maintained municipal pools.

National Gun Violence Awareness Day

Mayor Laura Batick read a proclamation declaring June 3, 2022, as National Gun Violence Awareness Day. Municipal lights will turn orange from June 3–5 in recognition. Representatives from Moms Demand Action, Anita Wallace and Ellen Gibson, presented statistics and stressed the importance of community engagement to reduce gun violence.

Youth Commission Update

Jamie Muns, Chair of the Youth Commission, highlighted the Commission’s growing impact, including:

Full allocation of grant funding for 2021 and 2022.
Expanded student consultant roles for youth-led initiatives.
Introduction of the Youth Impact Award, recognizing outstanding volunteer service.

Administrative Approvals

The Council approved several operational items:

Omnibus vote covering routine matters.
Software maintenance agreement with Infor US for $185,157.
Temporary city parking lot and street closures for community events, including a Father’s Day dance and the annual farmers markets.
Use of Mount St. Mary Park for the “Train the Trooper” event.
Service agreements for St. Charles Business Alliance ($698,600) and History Museum ($50,000) for FY 2022-2023.

Video Gaming Ordinance Modification

The Council discussed proposed amendments to City Code Title 5, Chapter 5.08, addressing alcoholic beverages and video gaming licenses. Key points:

St. Charles currently hosts 107 video gaming terminals across 20 establishments.
One-year waiting period removal: New businesses can obtain licenses sooner under certain conditions.
Gaming cafes prohibited: Ordinance prevents establishments solely focused on gaming.
Revenue monitoring: Mayor, as Liquor Commissioner, may inspect financial records to ensure gaming income stays below 50% of total gross revenue. Non-compliance may result in license suspension or non-renewal.

Local business owners, including Steve Mayer (Flagship on the Fox, Dukes Northwoods) and Nina Brodia (The Hive Tavern), spoke in favor, citing the ordinance as crucial for supporting businesses impacted by COVID-19 costs and labor shortages. Concerns about societal impacts of gambling were raised but the amendment ultimately passed 5-3.

Council Announcements

Alderman Rich Fowler announced his resignation, moving out of his ward while remaining a St. Charles resident.
Mayor Batick thanked council members and directors for participation in the Charlemagne Awards.

Conclusion

The May 18 meeting balanced community recognition with critical policy updates. From celebrating student-athlete achievements and raising awareness for gun violence to amending video gaming regulations, the Council demonstrated a commitment to youth, safety, and business vitality in St. Charles.

FAQs

Which student athlete was recognized at the May 18, 2022 Council meeting?

Alec Alexovich, a state champion swimmer from St. Charles North High School, was honored for his achievements and mentorship.

What proclamation did Mayor Laura Batick read during the meeting?

The Mayor proclaimed June 3, 2022, as National Gun Violence Awareness Day, with municipal lights turning orange from June 3–5.

What changes were made to the video gaming ordinance?

Amendments removed the one-year waiting period for new businesses, prohibited gaming-only cafes, and allowed revenue monitoring to ensure gaming income stays under 50% of total gross revenue.

What service agreements were approved by the Council?

Agreements were approved for the St. Charles Business Alliance ($698,600), the History Museum ($50,000), and software maintenance with Infor US ($185,157).

Were there any notable council announcements?

Alderman Rich Fowler announced his resignation due to moving, and Mayor Batick recognized council participation in the Charlemagne Awards.