Marriott-Slaterville Monthly History October 2012 The weather cooperated beautifully as a large crowd attended the annual Trunk-or-Treat at the Slaterville Park on Halloween, October 31, 2012. Set-up began at 5:00 p.m. with treats starting at 6:00 p.m. sharp, with the sounding of the fire engine siren. Hot dogs, donuts and pop were available with donations requested. There were 2 hot dogs remaining from the 700 cooked. The many designed trunks were amazing, the costumes ranged from beautiful to comic to scary. Prizes were awarded in several categories, including trunks, costumes and pumpkins. Winners were Kelly Aiken, Michael and Debbie Draper, Kelly Dyer, Cole Fillpot, Reid Heraldson, Malan Keller, Chelsey Knight, Ken and Dixie Little, Kent and Marsha Meyerhoffer, Katie Oman, Kelly Slater, London Slater, Jacob Taylor, and Marty Treasure. A business license was approved for The Iron House, LLC, 927 West 12* Street, a gym and weight training business, at the October 18, 2012, City Council Meeting A public hearing was held on October 18, 2012, at the City Building, concerning the new proposed business license fees. The regular City Council Meeting was closed and a public hearing opened. The city opted to update the business license fee study to represent the cunent cost of administration and law enforcement services incurred by each business category. Zions Bank was retained by the city as consultant to conduct an independent review of the businesses and prepare the study along with the proposed business license fee increases. Mrs. Jeanette Harris from Zions Bank was introduced. She prepared the 2013 Business License Fee Study, and made a presentation of the proposed fee increases and the justification for the same. The last study was done 12 years ago, and law enforcement costs have Increased significantly since that time, with a large increase coming in 2013. She discussed the base license fee and explained that the only disproportionate fee the city proposes is for law enforcement, which is based upon calls for service over and above the base level of service provided. She made recommendations regarding the proposed fees, a good landlord program and nondiscrimination policy for rentals, and outlined a streamlined approval process. Craig Smith, attorney for Gerald Hoth and Ryan McGarry, expressed concern that the proposed fee increase relating to rental properties owned by his clients, was discriminatory to low income persons. He felt that people would be discouraged from calling police in an emergency. He suggested that the city levy property taxes to cover the increased cost of law enforcement rather than increase business license fees. Adria Bass requested that the increase in home occupation licenses be gentle. As no further comment was offered, the public hearing was closed and the public meeting reopened. City Administrator Bill Moms explained that the city has the authority to regulate and license businesses in the city while collecting business license fees as provided in state law. The city has been subsidizing law enforcement calls to many businesses for a long time, but cannot continue to do so with the new increases by the Weber County sheriffs office. He recommended the City Council table this matter for one month to give those involved time to review the information and for the public to submit further comment in writing. This will also give the Council until November 15, 2012, to accept and review additional written comment and make a final decision. The draft license fee study was posted on the city website. Gerald Hoth was allowed to speak and expressed concern on how often the study will be updated. He also was concerned over residents not wanting to call police for assistance. Staff advised that the city will update the study every 5 years. Upon question from Councilman Rob Smout, Mrs. Harris explained that traffic related calls were separated out from the data, so only legitimate calls for law enforcement service were assessed to each business class. Councilman Kim Slater said he was impressed with the study, and asked how notice had been given of the increase. Mr. Morris said it was published in the newspaper, posted on the website, put in the city newsletter, and that a notice letter was specifically mailed to each licensed business in the city. 149