Minutes - 2002/12/09 - Laserfiche WebLink

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Mounds View City Council December 9, 2002 Regular Meeting Page 8 • Mayor Sonterre asked whether disposal of fireworks that are not legal would go against the disposal fee. Chief Zikmund indicated the City would have the challenge of disposing of them whether they are legal or illegal. He then indicated the issue has become less of a concern as the governor- elect has indicated he is not in favor of full legalization of fireworks. Council Member Stigney indicated he would lean toward leaving the fee as it is as the vendor selling the product should assume some risk for disposal. Council Member Thomas asked why the vendor should assume part of the disposal if they are doing everything legally. Council Member Stigney indicated that anyone selling a product in the City should assume some of the risk and costs for disposal associated with that product. Council Member Thomas indicated she has an issue with charging a disposal fee when the City has another option for recovering the costs. Council Member Stigney indicated the attorney's fees may exceed the disposal costs trying to be • collected. He then said that having the disposal fee is much cleaner. Council Member Marty indicated he had talked to some business owners who were interested last year in selling fireworks but the $1,000 fee was cost prohibitive as they would not be able to sell enough to make any profit. He then said that he feels reducing the fee for legitimate business is appropriate as they should not have to pay a penalty for selling fireworks lawfully. Mr. Linke indicated he agreed with Council Member Thomas and likened the disposal fee to charging Saturn for a fee for an accident a car they sell gets into. He then said it would be more appropriate to penalize the perpetrator doing wrong than to penalize all vendors with a disposal fee. MOTION/SECOND: Thomas/Marty. To Amend the Fireworks Fee to $550.00. Council Member Stigney reiterated that he thinks someone selling a hazardous product should take some responsibility for the product they sell. Council Member Quick indicated he agreed with Council Member Stigney and likened the disposal fee to those types of fees charged by a service garage for rags and disposal of hazardous materials. He then said it is the cost of doing business and those selling fireworks should be able to afford to pay a fee for disposal. Council Member Marty commented that fireworks can be hazardous but so can gasoline and the City does not charge gas stations more because they sell gasoline.