08/21/2007 Meeting Minutes - Laserfiche WebLink

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Council Minutes of 8/21/2007 Councilman Orlowski, chairperson of the Public Safety, Health & Welfare Committee: 1) The committee met on Monday, August 13, 2007. In attendance were committee members Tallon, Barker and Orlowski; Councilman Miller; the Law Director, Safety Director, Fire Chief, Finance Director, Human Resources Director, Service Director, Chamber of Commerce representative Jim Burns; guests. Agenda items: ~ Ordinance 2007-72, an ordinance amending Section 721.01, 721.03 and 721.09 and creating new Section 721.031 of Chapter 721 of the Business Regulation Code (Peddlers, Solicitors and Canvassers) in order to create a "Do Not Knock" registry and to update various other provisions of this chapter of the Business Regulation Code. Parts of 721.03 were discussed, specifically: 72I.03(b)(1){fj. The chairman suggested adding federal EIN to this section, and the Law Director agreed to this addition to the requirement of a Social Security number. In Section 721.03(b)(1), Mr. Burns suggested that the word "person" be clarified or defined as to whether we are identifying individuals, companies, corporations, independent contractors, etc. The Law Director agreed that this terminology should be more accurately defined. By city ordinance, the fees charged under Section 721.03 (2)(b), (3)(a), and (3)(b) must accurately reflect the actual cost to the city to implement this ordinance. The Safety Director requested additional time to research these costs. As part of this review, a discussion ensued regarding the cost of software; man hours for inputting, maintaining and recording data; developing a standardized form for the two registries; and the cost of printing and possibly distributing new door stickers for residents signing both registries. There are two different registries for which residents must fill out a form: 1) the peddlers do not knock registry; and (2) the solicitors do not knock registry. At the first committee meeting, the Mayor adamantly stated the city will not print new stickers. Section 721.03(g) states "or upon which there is posted at the entrance a notice which reads "no peddlers" of "no solicitors" as applicable, or words of similar import..." There are two parts to this ordinance, (1) a two part registry systems and (2) a notice, sign or sticker putting on notice the door-to-door peddler or solicitor that the resident does not wish to be bothered. A number of years ago, the city administration printed and made available to the residents of this city door stickers which briefly stated "No peddlers, solicitors, or canvassers allowed" and cited the section of the Codified Ordinances. It was suggested that there are a number of old door stickers still at City Hall which can be distributed to individuals. He is not sure how this would work as they are not accurate to current laws or the proposed changes in the Codified Ordinances. The reference to canvassers needs to be eliminated as current laws do not allow this reference. New stickers reflecting the updated ordinance and code sections are imperative. The first line of defense is at the homeowner's door. Without current, accurate stickers, how can a resident request support in eliminating bothersome door-to- door peddlers and solicitors? The suggestion was made that, when a volume of complaints are received, the administration may react. He would prefer to be pro= active, print the correct door stickers and make them available to the residents. The Law Director adeptly stated that government is in the business of fixing problems. He hopes the administration will act correctly, have new door stickers 15