A. Preliminary Investigation:
1. Investigation Fee: On an initial application for an on-sale license or for an off-sale license and on application for transfer of an existing on-sale license or an existing off-sale license, the applicant shall pay with his application an investigation fee as set from time to time by the city council, and the city shall conduct a preliminary background and financial investigation of the applicant.
2. Application Form: The application in such case shall be made on a form prescribed by the commissioner of public safety and with such additional information as the council may require.
3. Renewal: If the council deems it in the public interest to have an investigation made on a particular application for renewal of an on-sale license, it shall so determine.
4. Comprehensive Investigation: In any case, if the council determines that a comprehensive background and financial investigation of the applicant is necessary, it may conduct the investigation itself or contract with the commissioner of public safety for the investigation.
5. Investigation Results: No license shall be issued, transferred, or renewed if the results show, to the satisfaction of the council, that issuance would not be in the public interest.
6. Investigation Outside State: If an investigation outside the state is required, the applicant shall be charged the cost not to exceed ten thousand dollars ($10,000.00), which shall be paid by the applicant after deducting any initial investigation fee already paid. The fee shall be payable by the applicant whether or not the license is granted. (Ord. 10.12, 8-1-1989; amd. 2002 Code)
B. Hearing And Issuance: The city council shall investigate all facts set out in the application and not investigated in the preliminary background and financial investigation conducted pursuant to subsection A of this section. Opportunity shall be given to any person to be heard for or against the granting of the license. After the investigation and hearing, the council shall, in its discretion, grant or refuse the application. No on-sale wine license or off-sale license shall become effective until it, together with the security furnished by the applicant, has been approved by the commissioner of public safety.
C. Person And Premises Licensed; Transfer: Each license shall be issued only to the applicant and for the premises described in the application. No license may be transferred to another person or place without city council approval. Any transfer of stock of a corporate licensee is deemed a transfer of the license, and a transfer of stock without prior council approval is a grounds for revocation of the license. (Ord. 10.11, 7-5-1989)