City council passes liquor license fee relief

At 10?

"* i'm george mallet.

First tonight ?

"* the city of rochester is providing a new form of relief for bars and restaurants during the pandemic.

Kimt news three's anthony monzon is live at the government center with more on this.

Anthony?

George... city leaders will be implementing a liquor license fee relief program to to help offset costs for bars and restaurants... many of which have been struggling to stay afloat in the wake of state coronavirus restrictions.

The program city council approved tonight will grant establishments financial support equal to a business's annual liquor license fee for 2020?

"*2021.

It will also delay a scheduled 40% license fee increase that was set to take place this upcoming april until april of 2022.

But crucially... the council decided any business that has been forced to shut doing for violating covid?

"*19 health guidance will not receive any relief funds through this program.

City council member michael wojcik says the city shouldn't be supporting businesses who are disregarding "we have some irresponsible players in this community.

I just don't think taxpayers should have any dollars going to these entities, and i think this is one of those things we can do to make sure that the limited dollars that we do have don't go to the people who make covid?

"*19 worse for us."

One additional component of this program will be on option for businesses to defer liquor license fee payments for next year until august of 2021... or pay quarterly with a 10?

"*percent down payment.

It remains unclear whether businesses forced to shut down for covid?

"*19 violations will be eligible for that benefit at this time.

Thank you anthony.

We'll have more on the city council's decisions today throughout the newscast.