Common Sense

Last night was the first City Council meeting for the newly elected aldermen, including myself. Most of the agenda consisted of routine approvals of regular business items. Then we got to agenda item 14 and 15. Item 14 was to grant a class B beer and wine license toe The Coffee Pot on 7th Avenue, which was granted. Item 15 was to allow them to extend the use of that liquor license to the outdoor dining area that was already approved. The recommendation from the committee was to deny the outdoor use of the just approved beer and wine license. It makes no sense to approve of a business plan to expand their operations, and then vote to limit their ability to be successful. I proposed we vote against denial and the move to approve the outdoor extension. The Council has the right to approve the outdoor use even though it technically is in conflict with an overly general ordinance. Alderman Misner and Downing agreed to have the item referred back to committee to rework the ordinance in order for the Coffee Pot to move forward with their plans. I was happy to have helped a local business expand their operations to better serve the people and patrons of Kenosha. I look forward to continuing to interject common sense solutions into Council decision making.