St. Charles city officials know that restaurants, bars and entertainment venues have been especially hard hit by the pandemic.

To that end, aldermen at Monday night’s St. Charles City Council meeting unanimously ratified an executive order issued by Mayor Ray Rogina regarding reduced liquor license and late-night permit fees. They also unanimously approved liquor license and late-night permit fee changes for the 2021-2022 fiscal year.

As City Administrator Mark Koenen noted, the assistance the city is providing is targeted.

“It’s not a shotgun approach, because we’re not saying we’re going to wave all liquor license fees,” Koenen said. “We’re saying we’re going to focus on who we wave the liquor license fee for.”

As part of the changes, the owner of a tavern or a restaurant will not pay any liquor license renewal fees in the 2021-2022 fiscal year, which begins May 1. Their annual license fee is $1,200.

Restaurants and bars have had to operate at limited capacity as part of mitigation efforts designed to slow the spread of the virus. They recently were allowed to have indoor service again as the COVID-19 situation continues to improve across the county.

The Arcada Theatre and Steel Beam Theatre – which are both temporarily closed – also would see their annual liquor license fees reduced to nothing for the 2021-2022 fiscal year. In addition, a business with a 1 a.m.. late night permit will see its initial $800 fee reduced to $400 upon renewal.

A business with a 2 a.m. late night permit will see its initial $2,300 fee reduced to $1,150 upon renewal.

“What we’re trying to do his build a bridge so those people can get through the pandemic,” Koenen said.

Fifth Ward Alderman Maureen Lewis voiced support for the effort.

“Personally, I think it’s a great idea,” Lewis said. “It’s an industry that really needs some help and I think this is a way to help them.”

Lewis said she would also like staff to look at ways to help other people in the community who may need assistance.

“I’ve had the opportunity here in the last few weeks to talk to a lot of different citizens in the neighborhoods,” she said. “And they’re wondering why their sewer bill is so high and they can’t pay their sewer bill and they can’t pay their household bills and utility bills.”

Koenen said staff has been looking into that and will be bringing a proposal to aldermen.