08/03/1989 - Minutes Minutes: Committee of the Whole
Thursday 3 August, 1989
5:00 - 7:30P.M
City Council Conference Room
324 South State Street
Salt Lake City, Utah 84111
In Attendance: Florence Bittner, Wayne Horrocks, Sydney Fonnesbeck, Alan
Hardman, Tom Godfrey, Roselyn Kirk, Cindy Gust-Jenson, Lee King, Ed Snow,
James Hall, Brent Wilde, Robert Bridge, Larry Spendlove, Mac Connole, and
Press
Cindy Gust-Jenson, Executive Director, reviewed the Council 's calendar saying
that those who are interested in going to the Atlanta Convention should RSVP
with James as soon as possible. James Hall briefed the Council on a request
from the "Olympiatrics" soliciting Council's support and participation in
sporting events for the elderly.
Robert Bridge, Business License Supervisor, briefed the Council on the intent
and purpose of the Bicycle Dealer Fee Ordinance. Salt Lake City Code requires
that bicycle dealers must ensure that all bicycles sold in the City are
licensed and registered. The current fee is one dollar. Many of the dealers
feel that one dollar is to low and that a more appropriate fee would be two
dollars. A higher fee would allow the dealer to recoup more of the cost
associated with registering and licensing bicycles.
Several Council members had concerns that these procedures were an
administrative burden on bicycle dealers and that the City was not really
accomplishing anything if there was no central file. Council Member Bittner
and Council Member Godfrey wanted to know what purpose the licensing ordinance
serves and can lost or stolen bicycles be recovered? Council Member Hardman
stated that when he bought bicycles, the dealer did not have him register or
licenses the bicycles. The majority of the Council expressed a concern that
if no centralized files are maintained then the City is wasting the shop
owners time. Staff was directed to obtain additional information as to what
administrative procedures were followed in the Police Department.
Robert Bridge briefed the Council on the purpose of the Ordinance for Non-
refundable Business License Fees. Mr. Bridge stated that the City staff
spends an inordinate amount of time processing business license applications
that are subsequently withdrawn or denied. When a license is approved the
City recoups part of it administrative processing cost through payments
received from the licensee. In cases where the request is withdrawn or
denied, the City does not recoup any of its administrative costs. The intent
of the proposed ordinance is to charge a $35 non-refundable application fee
that allows the City to recoup part of its administrative cost. The $35 is
merely an average cost to process a typical license application. The actual
cost for problem cases is closer to $100. Council Member Hardman requested
information as to the progress that we are making towards staggering the
business license renewals from an annual period to an ongoing process.
According to Mr. Bridge, the City is still studying the concept and he was not
prepared to provide the Council with a complete report at this time.
Robert Bridge briefed the Council on the proposed ordinance for Certificates
of Public Convenience and Necessity. The purpose of the ordinance is to
combine the requirements for taxicabs, ambulances, and transportation of
handicap persons into one ordinance. It also adds a requirement for horse
drawn carriages operators to submit a request. Larry Spendlove briefed the
Council on the history of the process and why there is a need for such an
ordinance. Currently, a requirement exist in separate ordinances for
taxicabs, ambulances, and transportation of handicap to apply for
certificates. There is no requirement for horse drawn carriages. In order
for the City to more uniformly regulate all forms of transportation, the
Administration is requesting to consolidate into one ordinance, the
requirements for certificates.
Robert Bridge and Larry Spendlove briefed the Council on the proposed
ordinance to regulate horse drawn carriages. The proposed ordinance provides
the regulation of horse drawn carriages in the City through the requirement of
the certificate of public convenience and necessity. Businesses presently
operating would, upon application, be licensed to operate with the same
number of carriages as they presently operate under their revocable permit
without hearing. Included in the ordinance are certain regulations pertaining
to driver licensing, carriage equipment and maintenance, and the conduct of
the drivers and operation of carriages. Under the proposed ordinance, the
Transportation Division will direct the number of carriages operating at
certain areas in the city and the routes to be followed. Certain sections
pertaining to the suitability and care of horses have been added to Title 8 of
the present code placing such regulation under the general jurisdiction of the
Animal Control Division.
Council Member. Godfrey wanted to know who determines what routes can be used
and how many carriages are allowed. Mr. Bridge responded that the ordinance
directs the City Traffic Engineer to establish numbers and routes. Council
Member Bittner stated that she thought that there should be a total cap on the
number of carriages allowed to operate in the downtown area. Mr. Bridge
responded that the ordinance did not go into that much detail and left it up
to the Traffic Engineer to determine at a later time. Council. Member Godfrey,
Council Member Bittner, and Council Member Sydney Fonnesbeck expressed concern
that a procedure should be in place to regulate the number of carriages and at
the same time be equitable. Council Member Hardman stated that carriages are
a positive impact on the downtown and that the market should drive the number
of carriages and the not the City. Council Member Bittner questioned how
routes would be determined. Larry Spendlove responded that the Traffic
Engineer would seek to ensure safe and efficient movement of transportation
within the city, and would take into consideration the location of streets,
the expected traffic flow upon the street, the history of traffic accidents
upon each street, the width of the street, and any natural or man-made
physical features of streets which may be pertinent to the safe and efficient
movement of traffic. He further explained the technical rules outlined in the
ordinance. Council Member Bittner was further concerned that the Council did
not know what the position of the Traffic Engineer and Police was on this
issue. Mr. Spendlove responded that both organizations had been part of the
committee that drafted the ordinance and that they concurred with its
provisions. The Council directed staff to look at options to add some kind of
language that would establish a lottery system based on equity that. controls
the number of carriages downtown, sets priorities, and authorizes a greater
number of carriages based on current applications pending.
Brent Wilde and Robert Bridge briefed the Council on the Business License
accomplishments since their transfer to Community and Economic Development. in
May 1989. Mr. Wilde outlined the 17 accomplishments then reviewed the 25
initiatives that the Business License Division was currently pursuing Mr.
Bridge then reviewed the new Business License Information Packet that he plans
on publishing. The purpose of the packet is to provide up to date information
on licensing requirements to prospective applicants,
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W. M. "Willie" Stoler, Chair
ATTEST:
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