07-06-2010 Council Minutes - Laserfiche WebLink

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CITY COUNCIL WORK SESSION July 6, 2010 APPROVED 226 of the investigation in their renewal charge. There is a range in what cities charge for 227 their license fee but it doesn't seem to indicate that the $4,500 license fee is out of line. 228 This council member has a preference to include the cost of the investigation(and other 229 charges) in one license renewal fee. It was noted that there is a general concern that's 230 been heard from license holders that the background check fee isn't right. That's an 231 alarm and calls for the council to review the practice. The city values its business 232 establishments. A council member expressed an idea of using a three year plan, where 233 they pay the first year and get a reduction in the following two, sort of a stimulus 234 package. 235 236 City Clerk Bartell pointed out that consideration of background check charges should 237 probably include the off-sale and other types of liquor licenses as well. A council 238 member suggested that the on-sale restaurants seem to be the ones that are suffering the 239 most in this economy. 240 241 A council member suggested that since the council wants to continue the practice of an 242 annual background check, drop the fee to $150 overall and then,the following year, add 243 that amount into the license fee. The city clerk noted that there could possibly be a 244 problem in that off-sale fees are capped by the state. 245 246 The council concurred that the decision doesn't have to be made at this time of the year 247 but should be considered before next year's renewal period. City Clerk Bartell suggested 248 that she would put on her schedule a review of liquor license fees overall and will perhaps 249 come forward with new information or a better practice used by another city. 250 251 9. Draft Ordinance Amendments—Community Development Director Grochala noted 252 that the city accepted grant funds last year from the Department of Natural Resources to 253 be used to integrate natural resource information and data into local development and 254 conservation plans. Staff, with the assistance of Bonestroo,has developed the draft 255 ordinances before the council dealing with site layout performance standards, landscaping 256 and tree preservation standards, portions of the subdivision, platting, concept plan and 257 collaborative design process sections and some sections of the zoning code. Staff is not 258 requesting approval of the ordinance amendments at this time but will await the council's 259 approval of the new Comprehensive Plan. It is requested that the council begin their 260 review of these proposed changes. 261 262 10. Official Language - Acting Administrator Tesch remarked that discussion on this 263 matter seems to be at the point where he'd like the council's direction on whether they'd 264 like to consider an official language action as a resolution or an ordinance. A resolution 265 is more of a policy statement while an ordinance becomes part of the city code and is 266 more regulatory in nature. Mr. Tesch indicated that he would be able to do some of the 267 work on a resolution while an ordinance should be developed under the guidance of the 268 city attorney. A resolution would be prepared and then reviewed by the city attorney. 269 A council member suggested that either form, ordinance or resolution, should be handled 270 completely out in the open. A resolution may be most appropriate since this is a policy 6