LIMA, Ohio (WLIO) — Lima City Council’s Safety Services Committee took a closer look at liquor license procedures within the city during a recent meeting.
The first topic addressed the criteria for first-time applicants and those renewing existing liquor licenses. According to 1st Ward Councilman Todd Gordon, proposed checklist items include conducting a proper background check of the applicant, ensuring the building or sales environment is safe, confirming the location would not disrupt surrounding neighborhoods, and reviewing any history of illegal alcohol sales.
The second discussion focused on potential changes to how liquor license applications move through various Lima city departments during the approval process.
"Right now, the liquor licenses come to our clerk, it goes to the [Police] Chief and it comes to us. We're looking at having our Safety Services Committee look at them to where we have the chief with us in the building at the same time and the law department, so all 3 areas are looking at it at the same time instead of having to go to here and here and here," says Todd Gordon, Lima 1st Ward Councilman.
Another meeting is planned to continue the discussion. In the meantime, the city’s law department will review the legal considerations surrounding any proposed changes.
