09-17-25 EDC Agenda Packet - Laserfiche WebLink

Home Browse Search

Page 1 of 2 EDC AGENDA ITEM – 2B MEMORANDUM DATE: September 17, 2025 TO: Economic Development Commission Chair and Commissioners FROM: Elena Fransen, AICP, Senior Planner SUBJECT: Business License/Registration Discussion Requested Action At the direction of the City Council, the Economic Development Commission is asked to discuss the business licensing/registration process and provide feedback to the City Council. Background During the 2024 Work Plan discussions and preparations for the in-person business visits, the EDC discussed the business license/registration process. The business license/registration process is maintained by the City Clerk and Deputy Clerk. At the City Council meeting on July 14, Council Liaison Rousseau mentioned having the EDC review and provide a recommendation on the business licensing/registrations to be considered by Council with their year-end fee schedule discussion. In addition, at the City Council meeting on July 28, Council discussed direction for the EDC to provide feedback on the business license/registration process. The EDC reviewed and discussed the current process for business license/registration at the August meeting. The process has been included as Attachment A. Direction was given during the meeting for commissioners to review the process and share specific questions before the September meeting for staff to review and prepare discussion prompts. Updates following August Discussion At the August meeting, the EDC asked about business license fees and how these fees are set. Fees are set by the City Council in the fee schedule which is reviewed and approved annually. It was shared that state statute authorizes cities to set fees based on the City’s costs involved in administering the license program and that these fees must be reasonable. Some fees vary because the City could have determined that certain types of businesses/licenses may be subject to potential costs for inspecting or enforcement, so these are considered in the fees. The City Council will be responsible for the review and updates to the fee schedule.