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HomeMy WebLinkAboutMINUTES Administrative Committee 1994-01-13n RECORD OF PROCEEDINGS Administrative Committee January 13,1994 Committee of the Whole:Mayor H.B.Dannels,Chairman Board of Trustees Attending:Chairman Dannels,Trustees Hix, Brown,Dekker,Doylen and Habecker Also Attending:Town Administrator Klaphake,Clerk O’Connor Absent:Trustee Gillette Chairman Dannels called the meeting to order at 10:00 A.M. BUSINESS LICENSE -DISCUSSION. Administrator Klapliake reviewed the current business license fee schedule: General $200.00/yr. Accommodations Scale from $150-350.00/yr. Building Contractors $100.00/yr. The fees collected ($144,420)attributed to 28%of the 1993 Advertising Budget;sales tax contributes the remaining balance. The 1994 Advertising Budget is $495,445 and staff anticipates the business fees will contribute 29%. As requested by the Town Board in November,the Clerk conducted a survey of 19 municipalities (neighboring and tourist cities)of which 16 responded.One specific question surveyed was whether day—care providers were exempt.Of the municipalities that assess a business license fee (13),none exempt day—care providers.In addition,the majority of those surveyed base their fee on the number of employees or square footage.Pursuant to potential increases in administrative costs and based upon public testimony received in the recent past by merchants,staff contends the Town’s structure not be amended at this time. Trustee Habecker questioned the ramifications TABOR could have if the fees were raised or lowered.Upon confirmation by Town Attorney White,Administrator Kiapliake announced that the fee is a license not a tax,therefore the fee could be adjusted. Trustee Dekker questioned the justification used to lower the building contractor fee to $100.00.Staff advised that the Contractors Association based their appeal on the premise that the contractors are not primary beneficiaries of the advertising program.Consensus of the Committee was that building contractors do similarly benefit from the advertising program as do merchants. Concerning local,non—profit,charitable organizations,Clerk O’Connor confirmed that these groups are not contained in the Business License Ordinance.The Committee urged language exempting these groups be included in the Ordinance.[Clarification following the meeting:Any local,non-profit,charitable organization sponsoring a for-profit event must obtain a business license —current licensees include the Fire Dept./MDA Craft Sale, Scottish Highland Festival,Special Events Dept./Roof top Rodeo and Community Special Events,and Fine Arts Guild Craft Sale.] Judy Seybold/The Women’s Center,Fort Collins,advised that she also conducted a survey and she advised that Aspen and Vail were also discussing licensing for child care providers;however,Aspen heavily subsidizes this service.Ms.Seybold urged the Committee C 0 RECORD OF PROCEEDINGS Administrative Committee -January 13,1994 —Page 2 to exempt day—care providers as the Town may loose licensed child care currently available.In addition,unlicensed (State) providers may multiply.Trustee Doylen countered that licensing does not guarantee quality and that the business license would not deter someone genuinely interested in providing child care. Trustee Doylen briefed the Committee on her personal child care expenses and stated she would support a reduction but not an exemption for day—care providers. Administrator Klaphake reviewed staff’s suggestion that a home occupation category be initiated for 1995.Town Attorney White previously provided a definition for home occupation:“a business, profession,or occupation conducted within or from the dwelling by a resident thereof as an accessory use to the residential use of the dwelling;provided,the home occupation is contained principally within said dwelling;is carried on by the inhabitants thereof;is clearly incidental and secondary to the use of the dwelling for dwelling purposes;has not changed the residential character thereof;and no article is sold or offered for sale on the premises except such as may be produced by member of the immediate family residing on the premises.”Staff suggested a $100/yr.fee be assessed for the home occupation category. Following discussion,the Committee recommends:(1)no changes be made in 1994,thereby allowing the Clerk’s Office to invoice all day—care providers at the rate of $200.00/yr.;(2)that in 1995, building contractors be indexed under the current “General” category,thereby paying a $200.00 fee/yr.;and (3)that in 1995, the home occupation category be established with an associated fee of $100/yr.In an attempt to increase public testimony,Item /11 will be discussed at the Town Board meeting January 25 and Items #2 &3 will be discussed during the Town Board meeting scheduled February 8. REPORTS. Finance Officer Vavra updated the Committee on the Town’s insurance carrier,CIRSA,identifying the carrier’s 1994 coverage structure on property and casualty. Trustee Habecker questioned staff regarding where the liability lies with volunteer firemen while driving to/from a fire.Fire trucks are fully insured and the firemen are insured providing there is no neglect and all traffic rules are obeyed.The Committee suggested CIRSA conduct a periodic training session with the Fire Department to update the firemen on insurance liability/negligence guidelines. There being no further business,Chairman Dannels adjourned the meeting at 11:10 A.M. J) ‘ickie O’Connor,CMC,Town Clerk AFPROV)I JAN111994 t ETES PfX j.