(A) Investigation. Upon receipt of an application for a new on-sale license under this subchapter, the Council shall conduct or cause to have conducted a preliminary background and financial investigation pursuant to the requirements of state law. In addition, the Council may require an investigation to be conducted for any application for a renewal or transfer of a license if it believes an investigation is necessary. If the Council determines that a further comprehensive investigation is required, it shall conduct or have conducted that investigation. No license shall be issued, renewed, or transferred, as the case may be, until the Council is satisfied through the investigation that the granting of the license will not adversely affect the health, safety, and welfare of the general public. An investigation fee, not to exceed $500 for all applicants, may be charged to the applicant and deposited in the city’s General Fund. The fee shall be non-refundable even if the license is denied.
(B) Public hearing. Prior to granting a license under this subchapter, the Council shall hold a public hearing at which time all persons shall be given the opportunity to be heard speaking for or against the granting of the license.
(C) Issuance. After conducting the investigation and holding the public hearing, the Council, in its discretion, may either grant or deny the requested license. Any license requiring the approval of Commissioner of Public Safety shall not be valid until his or her approval has been granted.
(D) Term. Unless otherwise specified on the license, and except for temporary on-sale licenses that shall only be valid for the duration of the event for which the license was issued as specified on the license, all licenses issued under this subchapter shall be valid for one year and shall expire on December 31 of each year.
(E) Transfer. Each license issued under this subchapter shall be valid only for the premises stated in the license and only for the applicant. No license shall be transferred to another location or to another person without the approval of the Council. A transfer of 10% or more of stock shall constitute a transfer when the license is a corporation.
(F) Renewal. Prior to the expiration of any license issued under this subchapter, the licensee shall submit an application for the renewal of the license along with the appropriate fee as set by the Council. Failure to apply for a renewal prior to the last day of validity of a license shall cause the license to expire, and the licensee shall have to subsequently apply as if seeking a new license.
(Ord. passed 6-20-97)