HomeMy WebLinkAboutMinutes-Council Work Session-4/27/2020COUNCIL WORK SESSION
April 27, 2020
4:20 p.m.
Harold E. Getty Council Chambers
Members present: Boesen, Amos, Morrissey, Klein, Feuss, Griedei , and Juon. Council joined the
meeting by telephone.
Moved by Juon seconded by Feuss that the Agenda, as proposed, b , approved. Voice -vote Ayes:
Seven. Motion carried.
Objective: Discussion of a resolution urging the Governor of the State of Iowa to pro rate 12
month liquor license fees.
Mr. Morrissey explained that he spoke to several local establishments, including Steamboat
Gardens, who expressed experiencing a financial hardship paying their liquor license fees. The
resolution asks the governor to pro -rate liquor license fees for 12-month licenses.
Mrs. Juon questioned if an end date to the pro -rating the fees is required.
Mr. Morrissey commented that it should be pro -rated until such a time the establishments can be
fully opened.
Kelley Felchle explained that the resolution states that the 12-month liquor license fees should be
pro -rated while bars and restaurants are ordered closed.
Mr. Morrissey commented there could be an issue if the governor allows gradual reopening as that
is different from a total reopening.
Mrs. Juon commented that the current language is too open-ended and should be more definitive.
Mr. Morrissey commented that he would like to see the phrase "until such time that they are fully
open, due to the COVID-19 pandemic", be inserted after the phrase "are ordered closed".
Mr. Amos questioned if this resolution addresses all liquor licenses or just certain ones.
Mr. Morrissey commented it applies to any anyone required to have an annual liquor license, as
the governor has already the short-term liquor licenses.
Michelle Weidner, Chief Financial Officer, questioned whether carryout alcohol sales requires a
liquor license and that someone might want to check into the matter.
Mr. Boesen commented that the council is reading too much into this and all that is being asked is
to pro -rate the fees for the time they are out of business.
Mrs. Juon questioned if 100 percent of the liquor license fee goes to the state.
Kelley Felchle explained that the city does get a portion of the fee, but the state controls when the
fee is pulled and then sends a portion back to the city.
Objective: Discussion of a resolution issuing a moratorium on collecting fees from businesses
ordered to close by the Governor of the State of Iowa due to the COVID-19 pandemic
Mrs. Klein provided an overview of the resolution.
Mr. Feuss questioned the threshold for what is considered open.
Mrs. Klein commented that the changes the governor issued today would be considered re -opened.
Mr. Grieder commented that it is important to help businesses but the state is opening them in a
scattered sort of way. He explained that some businesses are reluctant to open as soon as the
governor is stating. He recommended that the city use the CDC's recommendation for phasing in
businesses.
Council Work Session
April 27, 2020
Page 2
Mr. Boesen commented that businesses should fill out a hardship waiver and agree to pay once
they can open back up. He further stated that businesses had hardships prior to COVID-19.
Mrs. Juon clarified that the council is not stopping the fees, just waiting to collect them until 30
days after opening.
Mrs. Klein commented that it is how the resolution is currently written however; she is open to
suggestions'and just wants to help the business owners in any way we can.
Mr. Grieder commented that he feels strongly that we should be operating off the CDC guidelines,
which calls for two weeks of declining cases to start the clock for those businesses and encourages
council to consider phasing on this basis rather than what is coming out of Des Moines.
Mrs. Juon clarified that the collection of fees is only being postponed until 30 days after re -opening
and not completely stopped.
Mrs. Fein confirmed.
Mr. &eder shared that he drafted language, which would allow businesses the opportunity to
make their own judgement call when to re -open and consider what is best for them and their
customers by following the CDC guidelines rather than opening their business when the governor
says they can.
Mayor Hart requested clarification of Mr. Grieder's comments in regards to the fee collection
currently outlined in the resolution.
Mr. Grieder explained his proposal would provide flexibility of when a business could re -open.
Mrs. Klein expressed concern over allowing some businesses additional time to pay fees if Mr.
Grieder's language is to be approved and feels the decision to re -open legally belongs with the
governor.
Mr. Boesen questioned if the proposed language is incorporated, when would the resolution be
effective.
Kelley Felchle commented that resolutions, once approved, take effect immediately.
Mr. Ivlorrissey does not agree with using the words "ordered" to close.
Mrs. Klein commented she is fine changing the resolution to read "urged" to close.
Mr. Amos expressed his concerns about reducing or postponing fees in light of the current decline
in revenue during the pandemic.
Mrs. Juon clarified that no fees are being cut or suspended; merely the collection of fees is being
delayed. She commented on the importance of clearly defining which fines will be included.
Mayor Hart asked Mrs. Klein to provide a list of businesses to be included.
Mr. Morrissey commented that he too would like to see which business and fees will be included
in this resolution.
With no further business before the Council, it was moved by Boesen seconded by Feuss that the
meeting be adjourned at 5:03 p.m. Voice -vote Ayes: Seven. Motion carried.
UbLi-WE
Kelley Fe hle
City Clerk