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LEGAL DEPARTMENT MEMORANDUM <br /> NO. 2005-13 <br /> April 27, 2005 <br /> TO: Honorable Mayor Osborne and City Council <br /> FROM: Steve Garman, City Manager � ����",: <br /> Wendy Morthland, Corporation Counsel ;i- <br /> SUBJECT: City Code Chapter 52 Amendments <br /> SUMMARY RECOMMENDATION: Staff recommends approval of the proposed <br /> changes to Chapter 52, Alcoholic Liquor, to add a new Class K liquor license. <br /> BACKGROUND: A request has been received to allow limited sales of single drinks of <br /> beer and wine only in movie theaters located in the Central Business District of <br /> downtown Decatur. The drinks would be allowed incidental to the viewing of motion <br /> pictures, meaning that sales would not be allowed when movies are not being shown <br /> and that such sales could not represent the major source of theater revenue. <br /> Consumption would have to take place on the premises of the theater. <br /> This type of request is not new in the movie industry as the trend apparently is <br /> becoming more popular across the country. According to published reports, the National <br /> Association of Theater Owners estimates that today more than 270 theaters across the <br /> country serve alcohol, up from just 14 in 1997. In researching the issue, city staff has <br /> also talked with city administrators and police personnel in Bloomington and Rock <br /> Island, both of which currently have "brew and viev�' style theaters which allow for the <br />, sale of alcohol. Both administrators and police from both cities indicate that they have <br /> not had any problems with those establishments and note that they remain very popular <br />' in the community. There has been no increase in calls for service from the licensed <br /> establishments and no incidents as a result of the alcohol sale or consumption. <br /> Our local police department has also researched the issue and is not in <br /> opposition to the potential licensing. The department does note that alcohol can have a <br /> negative influence on behavior but adds that this is true whether it is consumed in a <br /> theater or any other establishment that currently provides beer and wine sales. <br /> POTENTIAL OBJECTIONS: There are no known or expected objections. <br /> INPUT FROM OTHER SOURCES: <br /> STAFF REFERENCE: Wendy Morthland, Corporation Counsel at 424-2807. <br /> BUDGET/TIME IMPLICATIONS: None <br />