Laserfiche WebLink
Application Name Change <br />With the goal of making as few changes as possible to the process for gathering this information, <br />and after further discussion, Staff would like to recommend keeping the title of Business <br />Registration Certificate, however believes that this should still remain as the first (encompassing) <br />step for all businesses operating in the city. Once again, this would simplify and shorten the <br />process for businesses who are applying for various applications (alcohol, gasoline, tobacco, etc.) <br />by making this aone-stop shopping experience. To further simplify the process, Staff is still <br />recommending that all mentioned "licenses" including the BRC have a term date of July 1. <br />Application Fee <br />A discussion ensued relating to the fee charged and staff time spent. A fee for the first year <br />license is $30, with $15 being charged for renewals each year thereafter. In 2009, a total of <br />$5,565 was receipted in for BRC's (40 new ones at $30 and 291 renewals at $15). If staff spent <br />approximately 40 hours of time total on the Business License process over a period of a year, <br />plus time for receipting the checks in etc., wage expense would be about $1,500. Postage would <br />be approximately $400 total to mail out applications, some second notices, and mailing out the <br />licenses. It appears the revenue covers staff time and postage. <br />Understanding the importance of supporting the success of our local businesses, and the desire of <br />council to not nickel and dime business owners, Staff would propose the option of removing the <br />fee for the BRC all together for all applications that are received by the noted due date. For <br />applications that are not received by the due date, within two weeks of the due date, Staff would <br />propose a second request would be sent requesting the information within 14 days. If the <br />information has not been received after 14 days (28 days beyond the original due date), Staff <br />would recommend assessing a minimal ($15) late fee. Non-compliance beyond that would then <br />be subject to a petty misdemeanor charge, which is how the current ordinance reads right now. <br />In 2009, we had approximately 350 registered businesses in the city. Approximately 20 <br />businesses did not submit the BRC application on their own, requiring further staff follow-up. <br />Staff did not receive any complaints from businesses about the BRC application or required fee. <br />Benefits to Businesses <br />Council questioned what the benefits are to the businesses with regard to this certificate/license. <br />The business would be on the City's mailing/emailing list for notifications from the police <br />department (i.e. current crimes businesses should be aware of, etc.) as well as other city-wide <br />contacts that are made for various reasons. The BRC "process" generates a master list of <br />businesses operating in the city which all city departments utilize when attempting to make <br />contact with businesses for specific needs. The master list also keeps track of vacant commercial <br />properties in the city, which is also beneficial for Community Development use. For the past <br />several years, Community Development and Police have worked very closely to ensure accurate <br />records of businesses. <br />The business is also listed in the city business directory which is posted on the city website. It <br />should be noted that the only information that is available on that list is the business name, DBA, <br />address, and phone number. By providing this information on our web site we are promoting our <br />