12-18-96 Council Minutes - Laserfiche WebLink

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MINUTES CITY COUNCIL DECEMBER 18~ 1996 Pedersen pointed out that Wedemeyer is paying a$15,000 license fee in the City of Blaine. Wedemeyer pointed out that the system in Blaine is not computerized, the store is much larger, and does three times the amount of business that his Little Canada store does. Wedemeyer also pointed out that he has been unable to make improvements to his building since he is not sure what the City will be doing with the redevelopment of the area. Wedemeyer reported that he spoke with Deputy Martinez at the Sheriff's Department who agreed that Lincoln Pawn's business is down and indicated that there have been no problems at the pawn shop. Morelan asked if monitoring the pawn shop was a line item in the Sheriff's Department budget. The City Administrator replied that it was not. The cost of monitoring the pawn shop is a calculation of the time spent by the Sheriff's Department. Fahey noted that the Sheriff's Department estimates it spends 16 hours per month monitoring the pawn shop, and that the cost of an investigator, plus overheard, is approximately $77,000 per year. Based on these figures, and the need to recover reasonable costs, Fahey recommended the pawn brokers license fee be increased from $6,500 annually to $7,000. Fahey noted that this reflects the 7o increase in the Sheriff's Department contract. Scalze pointed out that the Sheriff's Department estimated their costs at $7,740. Fahey stated that he would favor balancing the fee in favor of the applicant. He did not feel the pawn shop should pay a large increase because the City wants to generate additional revenue. Morelan stated that he would like to see the City recoup its costs. He was just not sure precisely what those costs were. Scalze felt that the City should recoup its costs associated with the pawn shop. Not to do so would mean that the other taxpayers in the City have to pick up the burden. Fahey suggested if the Sheriff's Department indicated 5