The DeKalb Liquor Commission met Tuesday night to discuss Class A and E liquor licenses as well as introduce any problems with Class J licenses.

The problem between Class A and Class E still was a major topic of discussion for the commission. Commission members agreed there should be a line drawn between bars that serve alcohol and restaurants that serve alcohol.

“There should be no competition between bars and restaurants,” member Gerald Phillips said.

Old issues of determining the differences between Class A and E licenses also were reinforced.

“Our biggest issue is enforcement,” member Jeff Whelen said. “I know the budget is tight, but if we increase fines, then this may help improve enforcement.”

DeKalb Police Chief Bill Feithen also weighed in on the topic.

“The enforcement becomes cumbersome when we deal with alcohol enforcement,” Feithen said. “I think over the last couple of years, people have seen that we have increased alcohol enforcement.”

One of two issues voted to be discussed at the Oct. 27 city council meeting was to prevent restaurants from using cover charges. The other issue was whether bars should be required report bi-annually how much a business earned in food and liquor sales.

A new issue was brought up in the meeting involving Class J license holders. J licenses deal with bowling-alley establishments that serve alcohol.

Mardi Gras Lanes, 1730 Sycamore Road, is the only bowling establishment in DeKalb that serves alcohol, so it was the only business discussed involving Class J liquor licenses.

The establishment plans to remodel its inside and seeks to include a lounge area where alcohol can be served. Currently, under its J license, Mardi Gras Lanes can sell 75 percent bowling and food and 25 percent alcohol.

Board members agreed that granting Mardi Gras lanes a 65-35 ratio isn’t a problem, but putting in a bar would be a problem. The commission decided to hold off any decisions until further meetings.