Agenda - Council - 11/25/2003 - Laserfiche WebLink

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Secondhand Goods Ordinance and Implementation of Automated Pawn System® by Chief Jim Way Background: At the regular Ramsey City Council Meeting on November 10, 2003, a new ordinance was introduced specifically for secondhand dealers. The Ramsey City Code 7.13 currently covers pawn dealers and secondhand goods dealers. Both businesses include the selling of previously owned property that is purchased by the business. Pawn dealers are allowed to make loans and secondhand goods dealers are not. Another difference between the two is that some of the items that a pawn shop can receive, a secondhand goods dealer cannot. Secondhand goods dealers consign or purchase goods for resale. Because of the differences in these businesses, a new ordinance has now been created specifically for secondhand dealers. Also introduced at the November 10, 2003 Council Meeting was a computerized record system to enhance the police department's investigative capabilities, in a cost effective manner, to be utilized by both pawn and secondhand dealers. The Automated Pawn System® will be used by pawn and secondhand dealers to report pawn activity into a central repository. APS enables law enforcement agencies to share pawn/secondhand transaction information electronically; and increase the recovery of stolen property. Recommendation: Staff recommends adoption of the new Secondhand Dealer ordinance and implementation of the Automated Pawn System® to enhance the investigative capabilities within the department. Council Action: Motion by City Council to adopt the ordinance amending City Code to add Section 7.94 Secondhand Goods Dealers. Motion by City Council to adopt the ordinance amending City Code, Section 7.13, Pawnbrokers, by excluding Secondhand Goods Dealers and adding the implementation of the Automated Pawn System®. Reviewed by: Police Chief Jim Way City Attorney Bill Goodrich City Administrator Jim Norman