05/29/1985 Meeting - Laserfiche WebLink

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Eugene City Council Work Session ~ VI. BUSINESS LICENSE REVISIONS--PHASE TWO (memo distributed) ~ e Ms. Smernoff of the Eugene Development Department reviewed the reasons for revising the business regulations. She said ambulances are an example of a business the City will license because of health and safety concerns. Viola- tions are processed through a hearings officer. Some other businesses, such as towing companies, can be regulated with uniform business practice laws. No licenses will be issued to those companies. Violations will be processed through municipal court. The uniform business practice laws and administrative procedures will be in Chapter 3 of the Eugene Code. Very few other cities regulate businesses with uniform business practice laws, but Eugene has done so with the towing ordinance for a year, and the police are pleased with the way it works. Ms. Smernoff reviewed the businesses that will be regulated with uniform business practice laws. Answering questions from councilors, Ms. Smernoff said a business license will be issued to private police agencies. The Eugene Police will test applicants who carry arms. The City will set the license fee, which will cover the City's costs for the test. Ms. Wooten asked why the City stipulates that taxi companies not hire someone who has recently been in prison. She said driving taxicabs seems an appro- priate way for people to re-enter society. Ms. Smernoff said people riding in taxicabs are concerned that the drivers know they're gone on vacation, for example, and may then burglarize their house. Responding to a question from Mr. Holmer, Ms. Smernoff said taxicab drivers must have a chauffeur's license. Ms. Schue said whether or not someone is permitted to drive a taxicab should depend on the crime the person committed. Ms. Smernoff said the City has not denied many license applications, but it has denied several taxicab driving applications because of prior criminal activity. The City has not had problems with taxicab drivers in Eugene because they are regulated. Most other cities do not regulate the kind of people who drive taxicabs. Responding to Questions from Ms. Ehrman, Ms. Smernoff said the police are concerned about gambling places. Uniform business practice laws would require background checks on applicants. The police want records of activity and they want access to the records upon request. Ms. Smernoff said the City is concerned about used merchandise businesses buying stolen goods and buying from minors. Councilors were surprised that it is not legal to buy used merchandise from people under 21 years of age. Ms. Wooten suggested lowering the age at which people can sell used merchan- dise to 18. Ms. Ehrman shared her concern. She wanted more information about the criteria for hiring by taxicab companies and private police agencies. MINUTES--Eugene City Council May 29, 1985 Page 5