Agenda Packets - 2003/06/02 - Laserfiche WebLink

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Pawn Ordinances Report May 12, 2003 Page 4 The Planning Commission, in their resolution, recommends the following fee structure: ??Annual License: $5,000 ??Per transaction fee: $1.50 ??Investigation fee: $750 ??License bond: $10,000 One of the concerns raised at the Planning Commission meetings was whether the proposed fees would actually cover the cost that would be incurred by our police department. While it is “believed” that the amounts listed above would be adequate, we have received feedback from other police departments that would indicate to the contrary. The Council will need to determine whether the fees proposed by the Planning Commission would be sufficient and if not, what would be appropriate. Sections 516.10 and 516.11 address persons and locations ineligible for a license. The language in these two sections are fairly common and straightforward, the Planning Commission recommended limiting the size of the premises to 5,000 square feet to eliminate the possibility of a pawn superstore locating in the City. It is in this section also that places the 1,000 foot separation requirement between two pawnshops. With the separation requirement, only one pawnshop could locate in the City. Section 516.11 establishes most of the operating conditions of a Pawnshop, the first being that the business shall be a member of the Automated Pawn System (APS). The city of Minneapolis created the database system to track items pawned and purchased, giving police departments in the metro area the opportunity to query the system for items that may have recently been stolen. Everyone pawning or selling goods to a pawnbroker is photographed and/or videotaped and they are required to provide proper identification. Pawnbrokers are required to “hold” (not resell) an item for periods of time. This is another area that deviates from city to city, however the typical hold times are 90 days for pawned goods and 30 days for goods purchased outright. The Police Department recommended 90 day holds on BOTH pawned and purchased goods to allow for the maximum amount of time to recover any potentially stolen goods before they are resold. Once sold, the items would not be traceable unless the sell price exceeded $100. For goods sold in excess of $100, the licensee must collect the name, address and phone number of the person purchasing the item. The Planning Commission decided to follow suit with most other cities and recommended the 30-day hold. Section 516.11 also addresses handguns and firearms in general. The Police department asked many surrounding communities whether they allowed or prohibnited the pawing/purchase or sale of firearms. While some cities prohibit handguns, no ordinance we found prohibited the pawn, purchase or sale of sport rifles and shotguns. The Planning Commission, based upon the recommendation of the Police Department, added language that prohibits the pawn, purchase and sale of ANY firearm. In this same section of the ordinance, it is required that signage be posted to inform persons seeking to pawn, pledge, sell, leave, or deposit articles of property with the licensee of the following requirements: