Title
Ordinance No. 14-76 amending Sections 803 (Licenese Required; Fee; Term) and 804 (Bonds Required) of Part 8 (Pawnbrokers) of Article 3 (Sales of Goods and Services) of Chapter 2 (Business Licensing, Liquor Regulation and Taxation) of the Code of the City of Colorado Springs 2001, as amended, pertaining to pawnbroker 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 general business license ("general 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 for a business to operate in our great city, while also aiding the future creation of an online application/renewal business licensing system.
This license allows CSPD to maintain the ability to monitor and track the recovery of stolen property that pawn shops often receive.
A summary of the proposed changes to the Pawnbrokers License Ordinance, effective as of January 1, 2015, is as follows:
1. Modify the expiration date for licenses from December 31 of each year
to one (1) year from the date of issuance;
2. Clarify that, in accord with section 1.2.404 of the City Code, the City Attorney shall approve the form of required bonds or surety documents but not the surety(ies) of the bonds themselves; and
3. Clarify that license and registration fees are "as established by the City
Council under article 1, part 5 of this chapter".
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, the City Clerk conducted a thorough review of all business license types and requirements to ensure they are relevant and meeting the needs of the city as part of the clerk's 2014 Break through Strategies. 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 for a business to operate in our great city, while also aiding the future creation of an online application/renewal business licensing system.
The City Clerk worked closely with the CSPD to recommend changes to the license portion of the Code. This license allows CSPD to maintain the ability to monitor and track the recovery of stolen property that pawn shops often receive.
CSPD continues to research this section of the Code and plans to come forward with more comprehensive revisions at a later date. The current proposed changes are intended to align the pawnbroker license type with the standardized requirements across all general business license types.
Financial Implications:
N/A
Board/Commission Recommendation:
N/A
Stakeholder Process:
The City Clerk worked closely with City Attorney's Office and CSPD staff during the review process. The Deputy City Clerk also contacted representatives from the current pawnbroker licensees to discuss the proposals and took into consideration any comments and requests received from those licensees into the proposed ordinance.
Alternatives:
Not approve the ordinance.
Recommended Action
Proposed Motion:
Motion to approve anordinance amending Sections 803 (Licenese Required; Fee; Term) and 804 (Bonds Required) of Part 8 (Pawnbrokers) of Article 3 (Sales of Goods and Services) of Chapter 2 (Business Licensing, Liquor Regulation and Taxation) of the Code of the City of Colorado Springs 2001, as amended, pertaining to pawnbroker licenses on first reading.
Ordinance Language
N/A