02/11/1985 Meeting (2) - Laserfiche WebLink

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e e - Ms. Wooten pointed out the issue was not whether or not to widen the street. The issue was how and when to refer the issue to the voters. Ms. Ehrman asked about the purpose of funds allocated to maintenance of the historic street trees. She said the tree issue applies to the whole city. Mr. Holmer asked about the cost of saving the trees in the recommended alignment. Mr. Hansen suggested councilors drive along the 6th and 7th avenue before the council considers the matter again. III. PROPOSED REVISIONS TO BUSINESS LICENSE REGULATIONS (memo, background information distributed) City Manager Micheal Gleason introduced the item. Susan Smernoff of the Eugene Development Department gave the staff report. She discussed the existing licensing regulations, the process for streamlining the regulations, and what future regulations might be like. The City has business license regulations that address health and safety concerns. About 70 types of businesses are regulated now. Of those, about half are regulated by the Fire Department under the hazardous materials section of the code. About $88,000 is received by the City for issuing business licenses. The revenue received does not pay the cost of issuing the licenses. The staff has developed a proposal for deleting regulations that are currently regulated through other mechanisms. The proposal is being considered by the Chamber of Commerce and other community groups. The council will consider the proposal in the spring. Most cities have business licenses to regulate activities for health and safety reasons or to generate revenue. The purpose of Eugene's licensing program has been to regulate activities for health and safety reasons. That will continue to be the purpose. Ms. Smernoff reviewed the types of business that will be regulated in the future. She pointed out some business, such as nursing homes, may not need to be licensed by the City because they are inspected by the City and the State four times each year. A fifth inspection for a business license is redundant and not necessary. Some business can be regulated by uniform business practice laws. The City regulates towing services that way now. Answering questions from Mayor Obie and Mr. Holmer, Ms. Smernoff said the staff is drafting Uniform Business Practice laws. A separate ordinance will not be needed for each type of business, as there will be several categories addressed by the laws, such as health and safety and criminal activities. MINUTES--Eugene City Council February 11, 1985 Page 9