Chapter 38 of DeKalb’s Municipal Code is one step closer to being revised.

The chapter entitled “Intoxicating Liquors” has been under revision for over two years, according to Northern Star archives.

Occupancy requirements for a Class A liquor licenses were discussed by the DeKalb Liquor Commission and DeKalb City Council Monday.

The proposed plan would get rid of the current occupancy numbers, and new numbers would be created under the International Fire Code (IFC).

“The thing I have extreme passion about is making sure these patrons in these establishments are safe,” said Lt. Karl Froehlich, DeKalb Fire Department fire prevention officer.

Kris Povlsen, liquor commissioner and DeKalb acting mayor, said he felt urgency in adopting the IFC, as Class A establishments are the only establishments to not operate under the code.

“I feel we don’t have a choice in adopting this,” Povlsen said.

DeKalb City Attorney Norma Guess reminded the council changes will not take place immediately.

“As far as mandating occupancy,” Guess said, “we can’t do this until Sept. 1, 2009, the beginning of the next license year.”

Server training requirements are also up for revision.

Depending on who the license is issued to, the new phrasing would require any managers, at least one bartender and at least one door person to be a DeKalb-certified alcohol server.

Currently, the DeKalb-certified alcohol server education or training program is offered quarterly, but Police Chief Bill Feithen noted that if this were to be enacted, more classes would be added.

Also discussed were the options the council had regarding the unissued liquor license formerly belonging to The U owner Anthony Tomkiewicz, who recently forfeited the license.

The council decided to put out an issue for a request for qualifications. This would allow businesses to submit information, such as their business plan, background information and location, to the liquor commissioner. The commissioner can then refer the applicant to the DeKalb City Council for a decision to be made on whether or not to issue the license.

Guess told the council and liquor commission the request could be put out as early as the end of this week.