Agenda Packets - 1984/04/09 - Laserfiche WebLink

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v , 4- MEMO TO: Mayor and City Council FROM: Clerk-Administrato DATE: April 10, 1984 SUBJECT: AMUSEMENT DEVICE LICENSE FEES As you may recall, you individually received letters from Mr. S. G. Nilva,on behalf of the National Amusement Company, Inc., questioning the validity of the City's license fees for amusement centers and devices ($100 per year for amusement center - $50 per year for each amusement device) on the basis that our license fees are too high,citing State law and recent court action against the City of West St. Paul. In response to that letter I requested a legal opinion from City Attorney Richard Meyers, copy attached, who advised in a letter dated March 30, 1984 that the West St. Paul case, "... has little legal impact, except against West St. Paul and in the jurisdiction where the case was heard." City Attorney Meyers further states, "A regulatory license fee can be levied if the amount of the fee is reasonably related to the probable costs of inspection and ' administration, otherwise any excess would be improper taxation." City Attorney Meyers has indicated that if the City of Mounds View feels that our present license fee structure for amusement centers and devices is reasonable and related to the actual costs exper- ienced by the City of Mounds View for administration and inspection that these fees should remain,and staff would advise that after reviewing these fees we feel that they are indeed valid. RECOMMENDATION: Staff would recommend authorization to send a letter to the National Amusement Company, Inc. advising them that we have reviewed our license fees and find them to be reasonably related to administration and inspection costs. DFP/pf Attachment