Today the City of Milwaukee Licenses Committee unanimously approved a package of reforms recommended by the Alcohol Beverage Licensing Task Force that would improve public trust in the licensing system and better inform citizens, according to a statement from Common Council President Willie L. Hines, Jr.
Among the approved recommendations were:
- Ending the aldermanic power to hold license applications indefinitely. (According to the proposed change, license applications would need to be heard by the committee within two full cycles of the Common Council, or approximately 60 days).
- A requirement that residents within 250 feet of a location be notified when a new license application for that location is heard before the Licenses Committee. (Currently, aldermen can choose to notify neighbors or not at their discretion).
- A requirement that public notice of the license hearing be posted on the actual premises of the building for outside viewing purposes. (This is to better inform residents and members of the public who reside nearby a potential licensed location).
Hines calls the legislative changes "substantive" and says they will make our system "more accountable, transparent and efficient."
