2007-11-05 Regular Agenda - Laserfiche WebLink

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MINUTES OF UNIVERSITY CITY COUNCIL STUDY SESSION October 15, 2007 The Council Study Session, held in the Chambers of the City Hall, on Monday, October 15, 2007, was called to order by Mayor Adams at 5:30 p.m. In addition to Mayor Adams, the following members of the Council were present: Mr. Arthur Sharpe, Jr. Mr. Michael Glickert Ms. Stefany Brot Mr. RobertWagner Ms. Lynn Ricci Mr. Byron Price had an excused absence. Also present were City Manager Julie Feier and the Director of Finance Janet Watson. The Study Session agenda was planned for reviewing University City’s process in issuing business licenses. The information on Business Licenses and Regulations can be found in Chapter Five of University City’s Municipal Code. Ms. Watson gave a brief overview and explained the varying revenues University City receives from issuing business licenses. She stated that if the City wanted to increase any of the license fees, it would have to be by citizen approval. Ms. Watson prepared a Business License Survey comparing other municipalities with University City. The comparison was based on the method used to calculate license fees which were: 1. By the gross receipts 2. By the square footage 3. By the number of employees 4. By the value of the business equipment. Each city compared used one or a combination of the above. University City is not only listed as calculating fee by the gross receipts plus the number of employees but can also charge a fee by the value of business equipment. Ms. Watson said that this had never been used to determine a business’ license fee that she could determine. This type of method in determining license fee would be used in a warehouse type business. University City license fee charge is based on gross receipts and number of employees. Ms. Watson then compared the penalties charged by each city for late payment. Lastly she compared what the minimum license fee was charged by each city. Agenda item two: Solicitors, Canvassers, Peddlers & Temporary Merchants Solicitors and canvassers are not-for-profit, where peddlers and temporary merchants are for-profit. Ms. Watson defined canvassers and peddlers as traveling by foot or vehicle and can go house to house. The home owner can prevent them from coming to their door by placing a visible sign stating that any solicitation is prohibited. Temporary merchants are people who temporarily sell from an area, as a hotel room. Any hawkers or peddlers must