(A) Purpose. The purpose of this section is to authorize the City Police Department to conduct computerized criminal history and driver's license history background checks. Nothing in this section shall be construed to preclude the city from conducting comprehensive background investigations, including, but not limited to, accessing public data through other automated and non-automated sources and contacting references, of applicants for city employment or volunteer positions or for city permits, licenses or other approvals. Nothing in this section shall be construed to preclude the city from periodically conducting a driver's license inquiry upon employees or volunteers where possession of a valid driver's license is an essential qualification of the position.
(B) Definitions. For the purpose of this section, the following definitions shall apply unless the context clearly indicates or requires a different meaning.
COMPUTERIZED CRIMINAL HISTORY. Criminal histories obtained through the State Bureau of Criminal Apprehension's computerized criminal history system.
DRIVER'S LICENSE HISTORY. A listing of driver's license violations recorded by the State Department of Public Safety.
(C) Authorization. The City Police Department is authorized to conduct computerized criminal histories and driver's license histories on applicants for city employment, city volunteer positions and for city permits, licenses or other city approvals. In addition, computerized criminal histories and driver's license histories may be conducted for schools, employers, landlords and nonprofit corporations as permitted by state law. Before any investigation is undertaken, the subject of the investigation must authorize the Police Department in writing to undertake computerized criminal history and driver's license history checks. Applicants for city employment, city volunteer positions and for city permits, licenses or other city approvals must authorize the release of the information obtained to the City Council, City Administrator and other city staff as appropriate. Should the city reject an application due, partially or solely, to the applicant's prior conviction of a crime, the City Administrator shall notify the applicant in writing of the following:
(1) The grounds and reasons for the denial;
(2) The applicable complaint and grievance procedure set forth in M.S. § 364.06, as it may be amended from time to time;
(3) The earliest date the applicant may reapply for employment; and
(D) All competent evidence of rehabilitation will be considered upon reapplication.
(Prior Code, § 2.65)