(A) Upon an initial application for any license, or upon any application to transfer to a new licensee any existing license, the City Council shall make, or cause to be made, such background and financial investigation of the applicant as the City Council deems appropriate. The City Council may also conduct such investigation regarding the licensee as it deems appropriate upon an application for renewal of an existing license, or at any other time. The City Council may, by ordinance, establish an investigation fee required to be paid by each applicant for a new license or for transfer of a license, and may require that the fee be paid by the applicant at the time of making application for a license.
(B) If the City Council determines, or if the Bureau of Criminal Apprehension on its own initiative determines, that a comprehensive background and financial investigation is necessary upon an initial application for any on-sale intoxicating liquor license, or upon any application to transfer to a new licensee any existing on-sale intoxicating liquor license, the City Council may contract with the Bureau of Criminal Apprehension for the investigation, or it may otherwise conduct the investigation itself. In addition, a comprehensive investigation may be required by the City Council prior to the renewal of an existing on-sale intoxicating liquor license if the City Council deems it in the public interest. When a comprehensive investigation is conducted, the applicant shall pay to the city a comprehensive investigation fee not to exceed the amount provided by law if the investigation is conducted within the state, or the actual cost not to exceed the amount provided by law if the investigation is required outside the state. The City Council shall, by ordinance, fix the in-state comprehensive investigation fee, within the maximum amount provided by law, and the City Council may, by ordinance, fix a maximum out-of-state comprehensive investigation fee, below the maximum amount provided by law.
(Ord. passed 6-13-2023; Ord. passed 11-14-2023)