08-24-11 Council Minutes - Laserfiche WebLink

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MINUTES CITY COUNCIL AUGUST 24, 2011 SECOND Blesener opened the Public Hearing to consider the application for a HAND GOODS Second Hand Goods Dealers License for the Plaza Thrift Store to be DEALER located at 2680 Rice Street. LICENSE — PLAZA The City Clerk reported that Maria Alvarado, Plaza Thrift Store, 2680 THRIFT Rice Street has made application for a Second Hand Goods Dealers STORE License for her thrift store operation. The Clerk reported that in processing this application it was determined that the thrift store location is within 300 feet of North Heights Lutheran Church. The Municipal Code prohibits Second Hand Goods Dealers Licenses for businesses within 300 feet of a church or a school. The Clerk reported that the locations of other businesses holding this license were reviewed, and Joe's Sporting Goods is within 300 feet of a school. The Clerk reported that an option for the Council would be to remove this distance prohibition. In considering that option and the fact that many churches operate thrift stores, it would be staff's recommendation that the prohibition be retained for Pawn Brokers Licenses, but eliminated for Second Hand Goods Dealers Licenses. The City Administrator reported that when the Municipal Code was first developed to regulate pawn brokers, the distance prohibition was a part of the Code. That Code was later amended to provide for Second Hand Goods Dealers License, and the same regulations were applied to both licenses. The Administrator pointed out that the City has had several second hand goods dealers operating in the City for a number of years without any issues. The City Clerk reported that the application materials submitted by Plaza Thrift Store are complete, and the Sheriff's Department Background Check is satisfactory. Maria Alvarado, Plaza Thrift Store, appeared before the Council. Alvarado indicated that the thrift store is the first such store that she owns and she is very excited to come to Little Canada. Blesener asked when the store would open if the license is approved. Alvarado anticipated either a Friday or Wednesday opening. She indicated that the store would sell used furniture, clothing, household goods, and toys. It would have a general thrift store format. The Council discussed the proposed ordinance amendment eliminating the distance prohibition for Second Hand Goods Dealers Licenses, and the consensus was in support of removing this prohibition. 15