Submitted By
Mike Charley, Public Health Director and Florence Miller, Chair of the Board of Health
Reviewed By:
LKS
Agenda Item Title
Title
Concur with the Board of Health's Recommendation and Adopt an Ordinance Amending Section 5-5-3 ("Animals Prohibited in Public Buildings and Businesses") and Section 8-23-2 ("General Provisions"), Subsection M ("Sanitation Requirements for Food Establishments") of the Oak Park Village Code to Permit Dogs in Craft Brew Lounges
End
Overview
Overview
The Village Code currently prohibits customers from bringing dogs into "food establishments". The Village Board requested that the Board of Health review a request from local business owner Tony Compaglia, The Beer Shop, 1026 North Boulevard to amend the Village Code language that currently prohibits dogs from entering a food establishment, under both Sections 5-5-3 and 8-24-2(M) of the Village Code. The Board of Health has reviewed the request and their recommendation is in support of amending the Village Code to allow dogs to enter businesses such as The Beer Shop with a Craft Brew Lounge Class D-16 Liquor license under specific conditions outlined in the Board of Health's recommendation document submitted as part of this agenda item to the Village Board. Staff does not support this recommendation.
Body
Staff Recommendation
The Health Department staff is opposed to the Board of Health recommendation to amend the ordinance to allow for dogs to enter food establishments. Allowing companion animals to enter the Beer Shop with its current menu of foods poses minimal risk to human health. However, there is still a risk. Dogs do carry disease-causing organisms and can transmit pathogens to humans through direct and/or indirect contamination of food and food-contact surfaces. In addition, animals such as dogs shed hair continuously and may deposit liquid or fecal waste, creating the need for vigilance and more frequent and rigorous cleaning efforts. Finally, dogs can be...
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