CR2002-155-License Termsfa
September 20, 2002 Council Report 2002 -155
Ordinance Amending Section 1005.11, License Terms
Proposed Action
Staff recommends adoption of the following motion: Move to adopt Ordinance 2002-
884 for first reading.
Overview
Section 1005.11 sets the term of all business licenses in Hopkins to begin on January
1, 2002 and end on December 31. The process of license renewal begins in
September and is completed in December.
The time frame coincides with election time. Because elections are demanding more
time, it has become increasingly more difficult to do both without a lot of overtime.
Primary Issues to Consider
• Reasons to change
• Notification to businesses
• Process for renewal
Supporting Documents
• Copy of Ordinance 884
• Copy of letter that was sent to businesses in July 2002
.ai-f-pap
Terry Obermaier, City Clerk
Financial Impact: $ $0 Budgeted: Y/N Source:
Related Documents (CIP, ERP, etc.):
Notes:
Council Report 2002 -155
Page 2
Reasons to change
In the past few years, changes have taken place in the Secretary of State's office and in
the Hennepin County Elections department. Communities are not getting as much
assistance with elections as in the past. New laws require that election officials receive
more training and that election officials spend more time training election judges. The
time that is spent on elections has almost doubled since1998.
• Notification to businesses
In July of this year, staff sent a letter to all business licensees, asking how they would
feel about a license period that runs from the first of July to June 30 Staff received
several responses. All responses but one were positive. A number of businesses are
owned by people who have more than one location in the Metro area. Several
responses indicated that it would be nice to not have all renewals at one time. The one
negative comment was that it would be difficult to have insurance switched to a different
license term.
Licenses will be renewed from December 31, 2002, to July 1, 2003. The fees will all be
prorated for one -half of a year. In March, renewals will again go out to renew by June
30 for a full year. Future renewals will go out in March of each year. The term of the
license will be from July 1, to June 30. This will apply to all business licenses.
Alternatives
• Process for renewal
1. Move to adopt Ordinance 2002 -884 for first reading
2. Continue for more information
3. Do not adopt Ordinance 2002 -884
ORDINANCE 2002 -884
ORDINANCE AMENDING SECTION 1005.110F THE HOPKINS CITY CODE
THE COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF HOPKINS DOES HEREBY ORDAIN AS FOLLOWS:
Section 1. That section 1005.11 be amended as follows:
1005.11. License term. The term of the license year shall begin on January 1
July 1 and end on Dcccmbcr 31 June 30. Where the issuance of licenses for
periods of Tess than one year is permitted, the effective date of the license is the
date of issuance.
Section 2. The change to the new license term will begin in the year 2003. The
initial renewal will begin on January 1, 2003, and end on June 30, 2003. The fees
for the one -half year licenses will be prorated to reflect the term. Licenses will
then renew on July 1, 2003 and end on June 30, 2004. The new license term will
then be in effect.
Section 3.
First Reading: October 1, 2002
Second Reading: October 15, 2002
Date of Publication: October 24, 2002
Effective Date of Ordinance October 24, 2002
ATTEST:
Terry Obermaier, City Clerk
APPROVED AS TO FORM AND LEGALITY:
CITY OF HOPKINS
HENNEPIN COUNTY, MINNESOTA
Eugene J. Maxwell, Mayor
July 12, 2002
«First Name» «Last Name»
«Corperate_Name»
«Corporate_Address»
«Corp_City» «Corp_State» «Corp_Zip»
Dear Hopkins Business Owner,
We are looking at making some changes to the licensing period for business
licenses. The change will affect all business licenses. We are considering a license
year from July 1S through June 30 At the present time, the license year runs
from January 1s through December 31S
By making this change we will be able to solve a scheduling problem. I am the
person in charge of Elections and also licensing. Each activity by itself needs a
major block of time and attention to detail. Right now, both activities are going on
simultaneously causing a great deal more stress than needs be.
The change would be implemented this year. You would receive renewal notices in
September for your January 1' renewal as usual. The licensing period for that
renewal would be for one -half year, expiring on June 30, 2003. Your fee would
also be for one -half of the usual amount. Then in March, you would receive
another renewal notice for July 1S That license would then be good for one year,
expiring on June 30, 2004. The fee would be the full amount.
I would like to know how you feel about the change. All comments are welcome.
You may reach me by calling me at 952 - 939 -1330. You may also reach me by e-
mail at terryo @hopkinsmn.com. Please get any comments to me by September 1St.
Thank you for your help.
Sincerely,
tal
Terry Obermaier
City Clerk