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ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT COMMISSION – JANUARY 28, 2026 7 <br /> <br />Commissioner Bonine said that is why it would be helpful to have conversations with the people <br />who handle the process. He asked what the resistance is to having a subcommittee that can ask the <br />questions. No one is saying anything in the process should change. It feels like staff is defensive. <br /> <br />Community Development Director Reilly said SOP is the daily work that City Staff does. Those <br />are adopted by the council. <br /> <br />Commissioner Bonine asked if they have changed over time. <br /> <br />Community Development Director Reilly said there are some that he has seen that need to <br />change. He appreciates that concept. The process does not appear to be flawed to staff because the <br />response rate to the renewal request is greater than 95%. There are businesses that don’t need a <br />license or a permit. Staff are seeking the EDC’s help to find the businesses that aren’t participating <br />and find out why. <br /> <br />Commissioner Bonine said the form and the process are not clear. If we want to connect with the <br />businesses, there has to be a way to capture that information. There may be some things that could <br />improve the process. Is the Council open to us having a work plan that is applicable to our <br />businesses. <br /> <br />Community Development Director Reilly asked what the problem is with the SOP. <br /> <br />Commissioner Bonine asked if Staff has tried to complete the form? There is an inconsistency in <br />fairness on how fees are applied. The only way to have clarity is to have access to the team that <br />handles the process every year. He’s not understanding why asking to have conversations with <br />Staff about this is a problem. He won’t work towards an unknown goal. We are a community. Why <br />is it a big deal to have a conversation and get some insight into the process? That resistance pushes <br />him further away. There are other things he can spend his time on. <br /> <br />Chair Murchie said he hears Commissioner Bonine saying that in order for him to answer the <br />question on why all businesses aren’t participating, it’s helpful to see what is being asked of me <br />and have the opportunity to express what you don’t like. <br /> <br />Commissioner Bonine said he spoke with a former Commission Member, and they would joke <br />that she pays a fee, but he doesn’t have to. Then someone new comes in and maybe they have a <br />fee. The current system creates animosity and confusion among business owners. <br /> <br />Community Development Director Reilly said the difference between those two businesses is <br />that one doesn’t require a license to operate and the other does, in part because the state requires <br />licenses for businesses where people touch other people. <br /> <br />Commissioner Bonine asked how he keeps track of all of that, as a business owner. If the EDC is <br />trying to capture all of the businesses. <br /> <br />Chair Murchie said we have talked about this. There is a challenge about understanding. There <br />is a disconnect and this inconsistency feels unfair to some businesses. He thinks this is a good topic <br />for EDC to discuss. We aren’t saying there is anything wrong with the process, but the city is <br />saying we want to understand what the businesses are thinking. Right now, we’re hearing feedback <br />from business owners that there is a gap. This is the kind of topic EDC is designed for. Maybe we