Title
Ordinance No. 14-82 repealing Part 1 (Circuses, Carnivals and Menageries) of Article 2 (Amusements) of Chapter 2 (Business Licensing, Liquor Regulation and Taxation) of the Code of the City of Colorado Springs 2001, as amended, pertaining to circus, carnival, and menagerie licenses
Body
From:
Sarah Johnson, City Clerk
Summary:
As part of an ongoing effort to make the City of Colorado Springs a more business friendly community, and as one of the City Clerk's 2014 Breakthrough Strategies, the City Clerk conducted a thorough review of all general and specific business license types, requirements, and fees to ensure they are relevant and necessary to regulate activities related to health, safety or other protective purposes. This review includes proposals for removal/clarification of requirements for standardization across all general business license types. These updates to our City code eliminate unnecessary steps and requirements for a business to operate in our great city, while also aiding the future creation of an online application/renewal business licensing system.
After a thorough review, the City Clerk recommends the repeal of the circus, carnival and menagerie license type, effective upon final adoption and publications as provided by Charter.
Previous Council Action:
No previous council action.
Background:
As part of an ongoing effort to make the City of Colorado Springs a more business friendly community, and as one of the City Clerk's 2014 Breakthrough Strategies, the City Clerk conducted a thorough review of all general and specific business license types, requirements, and fees to ensure they are relevant and necessary to regulate activities related to health, safety or other protective purposes. This review includes proposals for removal/clarification of requirements for standardization across all general business license types. These updates to our City Code eliminate unnecessary steps and requirements for a business to operate in our great city, while also aiding the future creation of an online application/renewal business licensing system.
After a thorough review, the City Clerk recommends the repeal of the circus, carnival and menagerie license type, effective upon final adoption and publications as provided by Charter.
The circus, carnival and menagerie license, which was established in 1906, does not appear to be relevant in today's business licensing climate. These businesses desiring to operate on public property/right of way or requiring City resources would necessarily use the City's Special Event Permit process, which has many requirements that are duplicative of the current business licensing model. Those businesses otherwise desiring to operate solely on private property and not affecting City operations can be handled more effectively and efficiently in the private/civil sector without the need for City licensing.
Financial Implications:
In 2014, the City Clerk issued three (3) circus, carnival, and menagerie licenses, which would result in an estimated $900 loss in license fee revenue if the license requirement is repealed.
Board/Commission Recommendation:
N/A
Stakeholder Process:
The City Clerk worked closely with City Attorney's Office, CSPD, City Forester, Engineering, Finance, Risk Management and City Special Events staff during the review process. The City Clerk mailed a notice to all currently licensed entities in this category requesting comments on the possible removal of the license requirement. The City Clerk also published a notice for public comment in the Gazette three (3) times seeking comment on this proposal.
Alternatives:
Not approve the ordinance.
Recommended Action
Proposed Motion:
Motion to approve an ordinance repealing Part 1 (Circuses, Carnivals and Menageries) of Article 2 (Amusements) of Chapter 2 (Business Licensing, Liquor Regulation and Taxation) of the Code of the City of Colorado Springs 2001, as amended, pertaining to circus, carnival, and menagerie licenses on first reading.
Ordinance Language
N/A