04/06/2009 Council Packet - Laserfiche WebLink

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• • WS — Item 5 WORK SESSION STAFF REPORT Work Session Item #5 Date: April 6, 2009 To: City Council From: Julie Bartell Re: Liquor License Investigation Fees Background As allowed under state statute, the city has established fees for licensing and regulation of liquor (including 3.2 malt beverages) and tobacco. Staff is in the process of reviewing those fees to ensure that they comply with current state law and to compare our fees with those of other municipalities. Fee changes may be recommended in the future based on that research and on the outcome of strategic financial planning. The council requested, as part of reviewing updated liquor licensing code language, that staff specifically review the city's current fee structure for background investigations. State law requires a background check on initial applications and allows jurisdictions to charge up to $500 (up to $10,000 for out of state) for these investigations. An investigation prior to license renewal is allowed if the city's governing body deems it in the public interest. The city's current investigation fee for all liquor license applicants (including renewals) is $450 for corporations or partnerships and $250 for individual applicants. The city's background investigations are conducted by the Lino Lakes Police Department. A memorandum from the Police Department explaining their costs in conducting these investigations is attached. There is also some cost to the city in administrative handling of the information. It should be noted that the Lino Lakes Police Department does the same check for renewals as for new applications and therefore the cost is the same. Staff has prepared the attached spreadsheet with data on how other cities are charging for this type of investigation fee and whether or not they charge differently for renewals. Requested Council Direction Liquor license renewal forms will be sent to the city's license holders in April. Staff requests direction on any change to investigation fees in order to provide accurate information to licensees. Attachments Police Department memorandum Comparison of investigation fees charged by other cities /counties 1