Applicants seeking to register under this chapter must complete the following requirements before consideration can be made.
(A) Permit application. Applicants must file an application with the City Clerk on an application form provided by the city. Application forms may be obtained through the office of the City Clerk and should contain the following information, along with any other information the city deems pertinent:
(1) Applicant name, permanent home address, and other personal identifying information needed to contact or identify the applicant;
(2) Description of the nature of the business to be conducted, the goods or services to be sold or provided, and any methods of solicitation to be used;
(3) Description and identifying information of any vehicles to be used in the course of soliciting or peddling;
(4) Business and address of the applicant’s employer, together with an explanation of the exact relationship between the applicant and employer;
(5) Information related to the applicant’s criminal history;
(6) State sales tax license number and/or state business filing number, if applicable; and
(7) Copy of current government-issued photo identification.
(B) Background check. Applicants must provide information and fingerprints necessary to obtain criminal history information from the State Police Bureau of Criminal Identification. The city is authorized to receive criminal history information from the state police for the purpose of evaluating the fitness of applicants. As required by state and federal law, further dissemination or other use of the criminal history information is prohibited. Persons convicted of a felony offense within five years prior to the date of application are prohibited from peddling or soliciting within the city limits. Background check applications can be obtained through the office of the City Clerk, and applicants are responsible for all fees associated with the background check process.
(C) Fees. An application fee, background check fee, and permitting fee will all be required of applicants to obtain a solicitation permit. The amount of said fees may be established by resolution of the City Council.
(1) The application fee and background check fee shall be due at the time of application and required before an application will be reviewed.
(2) The permitting fee shall be due after a successful applicant has been notified of his or her approval and be required before a solicitation permit will be issued to the vendor.
(D) Review process. Once a completed application packet has been received by the City Clerk, the city will begin the review process and submit the background check application to the appropriate authority. Once the background check has been completed, the city will notify the vendor within 14 days of the city’s decision whether to grant the solicitation permit. Permits that are granted will be available for pickup at the office of the City Clerk once an applicant has been notified of their issuance.
(E) Approval of application. An applicant who has met all of the requirements of this chapter should be issued a solicitation permit, unless the city makes specific findings that the issuance of a permit would be contrary to the public health, safety, or welfare of the citizens of the city.
(F) Appeal of denial. An applicant aggrieved by a denial of the city to issue a permit under this chapter shall have the right to appeal the decision to the City Council. Such appeal shall be filed with the City Clerk within five days from the date of denial and must be in writing, setting forth the reasons such permit should not have been denied. The City Council shall hear the appeal within 14 days after the filing thereof and shall render its decision immediately following the hearing. An aggrieved applicant may further appeal the decision of the City Council by doing so in accordance with state law.
(Ord. 2020-01, passed 3-11-2020)