PORT ANGELES – A proposed business licensing ordinance still needs more work, the City Council decided Tuesday night.
City Manager Mark Madsen said that considerable opinions from both the public and council members in just the past two days needs to be answered by the city staff.
So the matter will come back to the council in the undetermined future.
The city has a limited business license ordinance now that covers 133 businesses including ambulances, dance halls where liquor is served, fireworks, taxis and limousines, hotels and motels, pawnbrokers, adult entertainment businesses and tattoo shops.
Last month, the city staff proposed a revised ordinance that would require all businesses located inside the city to obtain a $50 license.
It would give city officials information such as location, whether the business has a key safe, any hazardous materials, number of parking spaces and whether it is in the parking business improvement area.
The stated purpose is for economic development and public safety – not as the first step toward a business tax.
