(A) The City Clerk-Treasurer shall, upon receipt of each application completed in accordance herewith, investigate the truth of statements made therein, and the moral character, and business reputation, of each applicant for license to the extent as he or she deems necessary. The applicant shall be given an opportunity to be heard for, or against, the granting of any license. The Council may, at its discretion, upon completion of the investigation, grant, or refuse, the issuance of the license.
(B) The Council may investigate all applications for an on-sale liquor license to determine eligibility, and return written recommendations to the Council for, or against, the issuance of each license. Every application shall be referred to the Chief of Police, who shall investigate the facts set forth in the application, and conduct such additional inquiry as he or she may deem necessary. He or she shall, in all cases, make a written recommendation to the Council, consisting of his or her findings, with respect to the applicant, and his or her recommendation as to whether or not the application should be granted. In addition, prior to December 31 of each year, he or she shall conduct the investigation of existing licenses as he or she deems necessary, and shall furnish his or her written report of findings, and his or her specific recommendations on the renewal, or non-renewal, of each license.
(C) All initial applications for an on-sale liquor license shall be accompanied by a fee of $75, which fee shall be considered an investigation fee, not refundable to the applicant, to cover the costs of the city in processing the application, and the investigation thereof. If, upon application for renewal, transfer, or other significant change in the status of the licensee, an additional investigation is deemed necessary by the City Clerk-Treasurer, the licensee shall pay an additional investigation fee of $50. No additional fee of any kind shall be required as a result of license transfer from an existing licensee to a corporation formed by licensee, and having identical ownership interests. All initial applications for an on-sale beer license shall be accompanied by an investigation fee in the amount of $25.
(Prior Code, § 5.02)