Agenda - Council - 11/24/2009 - Laserfiche WebLink

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APPROVE EXTENSION OF BUSINESS REGISTRATION CERTIFICATE (BRC) TO JULY 1, 2010 By: Jo Thieling, City Clerk Background: At the Work Session on Tuesday, November 10, Council discussed changing the name of the Business Registration Certificate (BRC) to Business License. Discussion included whether or not the business licensing is even necessary — what is the benefit to the City and what is the benefit to the business owner. Also discussed was the fee and staff time involved. Staff was asked to compile the cost and staff time, as well as the revenue the licensing generated. Staff was also asked to investigate if there could be an on -line option available where the updates could be entered in directly by the business, thus eliminating staff time for data entry and, therefore, eliminating the need for a fee. Staff is of the opinion that we would still have to input the information, however, all avenues will be explored. Another option suggested by Council was having a one -time licensing fee with free updates. An ordinance had been placed on the Consent portion of the Council agenda for November 10, to introduce changing the name of the BRC to Business License and amending the date of the license from January 1 through December 31 to July 1 through June 30. Due to several questions by Council and no consensus as to whether or not a business license was necessary, the ordinance was pulled from the Consent and this item will be discussed in more detail at a future work session. Staff is asking Council to consider extending the current BRC's to expire July 1, 2010 versus December 31, 2009. This would allow time for further discussion of this item by the Council. Council Action: Reviewed by: City Clerk Police Chief Fire Chief Crime Prevention Specialist City Attorney City Administrator: Motion to approve extending the expiration of the current Business Registration Certificates to July 1, 2010. CC: 11/24/09 CASE #