(A) Preliminary background and financial investigation. Upon an initial application for a license, on an application for transfer of a license and, in the sound discretion of the Council that it is in the public interest to do so, on an application for renewal of a license, a preliminary background and financial investigation of the applicant shall be completed. The police department shall cause to be made an investigation of the written information found in the application materials and shall make a written recommendation to the City Council including relevant information obtained as a result of the investigation. The applicant shall pay with the application an investigation fee which shall be in addition to any license fee. If the cost of the preliminary investigation is less than investigation fee, the unused balance shall be returned to the applicant.
(B) Comprehensive background and financial investigation. If the results of a preliminary investigation warrant, in the sound discretion of the Council, a comprehensive background and financial investigation, the Council may order the police department to conduct such investigation. The applicant shall pay the required fee for the comprehensive background and financial investigation. If the cost of the investigation is less than the investigation fee, the unused balance of the fee shall be returned to the applicant. The fee shall be paid in advance of any investigation and the amount actually expended on the investigation shall not be refundable in the event the application is denied.
(C) At any time an additional investigation is required because of a change in the ownership or control of a corporation, a partnership or an association, or because there is a change in the officers, charter, articles, or bylaws of a corporation, or because there is a change in the partnership or association agreement, or because of an enlargement, alteration, or extension of premises previously licensed, the licensee shall pay an additional background investigation fee in the amount established by City Council resolution.
(Ord. 645, passed 8-24-2015)