A. All license applications under the provisions of this chapter shall be filed with the city clerk, along with a nonrefundable investigation fee.
B. Upon presentation of any license application to the city clerk, the city clerk must refer such application to the chief of police or his designee for investigation. The chief of police or his designee must conduct a full investigation of all information contained in the license application, which investigation must include, but must not be limited to, the following:
1. A complete check of all records of the federal bureau of investigation and any other similar organization concerning the criminal record of any applicant.
2. A personal interview with each applicant.
3. An interview, either personal or by mail, with all employers of the applicant and business associates of the applicant, as shown in the license application.
4. Examination of the financial statement and financial background of the applicant.
5. Any other investigation reasonably deemed necessary by the chief of police or his designee.
C. Within thirty (30) days after any application is referred by the city clerk to the chief of police or his designee, the chief of police or his designee must report the results of his investigation in writing to the council, which report shall include, but must not be limited to, the following:
1. A complete statement of the results of all investigations undertaken.
2. A list of any errors or omissions found to exist in the application.
3. An evaluation of the personal and financial status and background of the applicant.
4. A statement as to whether, in his professional opinion, further investigation is necessary or desirable.
D. The chief of police or his designee may, with the consent of the council, employ a certified public accountant to assist with the financial investigation and the expenses of such accountant shall be chargeable to the applicant who shall be required to post in advance with the city clerk an amount sufficient to cover the estimated expense.
E. In the event the cost of an investigation conducted under the provisions of this section exceeds the investigative fee required by subsection A of this section, the applicant shall upon request of the board post with the city clerk an amount sufficient to cover the estimated additional expense.
F. At the conclusion of the investigation any unused additional investigative funds which the applicant was required to deposit under the provisions of subsection C, D or E of this section, exclusive of subsection A of this section, must be refunded.
G. Within thirty (30) days after receiving the chief of police or his designee's report, the council may:
1. Refer the application back to the chief of police or his designee for additional investigation.
2. Require a personal interview with the applicant.
3. Require the applicant to submit additional information relative to his application.
4. Grant or refuse to grant a license under the provisions of this chapter. (Ord. 230, - -2018; amd. Ord. 234, 8-25-2020)