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HomeMy WebLinkAbout2004-16 07-26 CCOCITY OF BROOKLYN CENTER Notice is hereby given that a public hearing will be held on the 26th day of July 2004 at 7 p.m. or as soon thereafter as the matter may be heard at the City Hall, 6301 Shingle Creek Parkway, to consider An Ordinance Amending Chapter 23 of the City Ordinances of the City of Brooklyn Center Relating to the Licensure of Pawnbrokers. Auxiliary aids for persons with disabilities are available upon request at least 96 hours in advance. Please contact the City Clerk at 763 -569 -3300 to make arrangements. ORDINANCE NO. 2004 -16 AN ORDINANCE AMENDING CHAPTER 23 OF THE CITY ORDINANCES OF THE CITY OF BROOKLYN CENTER RELATING TO THE LICENSURE OF PAWNBROKERS THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF BROOKLYN CENTER DOES ORDAIN AS FOLLOWS: Section 1. Chapter 23 of the City Ordinances of the City of Brooklyn Center is hereby amended by adding the following paragraphs: PAWNBROKERS Purpose. The City Council finds that use of services provided by pawnbrokers provides an opportunity for the commission of crimes and their concealment because pawn businesses have the ability to receive and transfer property stolen by others easily and quickly. The City Council also finds that consumer protection regulation is warranted in transactions involving pawnbrokers. The City Council further finds that the pawn industry has outgrown the City's current ability to effectively or efficiently identify criminal activity related to pawnshops. The purpose of this section is to prevent pawn businesses from being used as facilities for the commission of crimes and to assure that such businesses comply with basic consumer protection standards, thereby protecting the public health, safety, and general welfare of the citizens of the city. To help the City better regulate current and future pawn businesses, decrease and stabilize costs associated with the regulation of the pawn industry, and increase identification of criminal activities in the pawn industry through the timely collection and sharing of pawn transaction information, this section also implements and establishes the required use of the Automated Pawn System (APS). Section 2. Section 23 -601 is hereby amended in the following manner Section 23 -601. DEFINITIONS. For the purpose of Sections 23 -601 through 23- 630[ i the terms defined in this section have the meanings given them. ORDINANCE NO. 2004 -16 I a. Pawnbroker. [1$:;rrr rfr° rr: currr4 a person. r who as rac d ;poc pledge of pe •sar i t.( property, or r tl c t {Ara l l 'lrt plc rls in the purcliasing of °perssonal. property crtlrcr alarablL tlrir cc ar itit:rr t i`scllir tire, s rle back ain at price or who chattel mortgage an personal properly, taking possession any part so mortgaged.] Any natural person, partnership or corporation, either as principal, or agent or employee thereof, who loans money on deposit or pledge of personal property, or other valuable thing, or who deals in the purchasing of personal property, or other valuable thing on condition of selling the same back again at a stipulated price, or who loans money secured by chattel mortgage on personal property, taking possession of the property or any part thereof so mortgaged. To the extent that a pawnbroker' s business includes buying personal property previously used, rented or leased, or selling it on consignment, the provisions of this section shall be applicable. b. Reportable Transaction. Every transaction conducted by a pawnbroker in which merchandise is received through a pawn, purchase, consignment or trade, or in which a pawn is renewed, extended or redeemed, or for which a unique transaction number or identifier is generated by their point -of -sale software, or an item is confiscated by law enforcement, is reportable except: 1. The bulk purchase or consignment of new or used merchandise from a merchant, manufacturer, or wholesaler having an established permanent place of business, and the retail sale of said merchandise, provided the pawnbroker must maintain a record of such purchase or consignment which describes each item, and must mark each item in a manner which relates it to that transaction record. 2. Retail and wholesale sales of merchandise originally received by pawn or purchase, and for which all applicable hold and/or redemption periods have expired. c. Billable Transaction. Every reportable transaction conducted by a pawnbroker is a billable transaction except renewals, redemptions, or extensions of existing pawns on items previously reported and continuously in the licensee's possession, voided transactions, and confiscations. Section 3. Section 23 -603 is hereby amended in the following manner Section 23 -603. LICENSE FEE. Subdivision 1. The annual fee for a pawnbroker shall be set by the City Council by resolution. ORDINANCE NO. 2004 -16 Subdivision 2. In addition to the annual license fee, a billable transaction fee shall be imposed on each transaction. a. The billable transaction fee shall reflect the cost of processing transactions and other related regulatory expenses as determined by the City Council and shall be reviewed and adjusted, if necessary, every six '6) months. Licensees shall be notified in writing thirty (30) days before any adjustment is implemented. b. Billable transaction fees shall be billed monthly and are due and payable within thirty (30) days. Failure to do so is a violation of this section. Section 4. Section 23 -606 is hereby amended in the following manner: Section 23 -606. SITE PLAN. Subdivision 2. BUSINESS AT ONLY ONE PLACE. A license under this section authorizes the licensee to carry on its business only at the permanent place of business designated in the license. However, upon written request, the City Manager's designee may approve an off -site locked and secured storage facility. The licensee shall permit inspection of the facility in accordance with Section 23 -627. All provisions of this section regarding record keeping and reporting apply to the facility and its contents. Property shall be stored in compliance with all provisions of the City Code. The licensee must either own the building in which the business is conducted, and any approved off -site storage facility, or have a lease on the business premise that extends for more than six (6) months. Section 5. Section 23 -615 is hereby amended in the following manner ,rd n oe°cs :i pa nbroEre at he ind ;lihl lediu T in ifo ati n.] [a. Tinkle and a curate. des ri.,ption. o tl it It :[1.1n g, but nor hi z:i i tilication n r b r, serial on ra owner applied iie s riI r s l n rt' be r, brand .nne. and/or oth Ian >tia�; h tt -nl;] ORDINANCE NO. 2004 -16 l number f [b address, t' ,siclence phone number and date of birth s f the the item was received] any of the low i icr [2, ()(ficial suite photo identification pass nni:l iti.rr .iks, pis well as the r c �ls re i 1 nii st be ripen i r i spectiori department during busi is s I furs. The records require t be stored rtrcl tai <i:ii fait ccl by the iiee see: is r a period of three ye 3trs,] A a t2l roker nut tl1.e. eon ph c toe.raphic record of tl sc is r, the identific: rec i t i. 11 ii. split Ming. "pl c t raiphic device, the i enlifieati 'sti used, and a provide concl and receipts must zil ie h.ei printed. aricl i i zst bear tlic lat cif° the t:raii ar tic k. The exposed. film or %i a •tt tpe us €)rt year aftei turned over tc ti aut horized peace officer a on dem ind, the retention perk iod.1 pao•D fee Section 23 -615. RECORDS REQUIRED. Subdivision 1. At the time of any reportable transaction other than renewals, extensions or redemptions, every licensee must immediately record in English the following information by using ink or other indelible medium on forms or in a computerized record approved by the City. a. A complete and accurate description of each item including, but not limited to, any trademark, identification number, serial number, model number, brand name, or other identifying mark on such an item. ORDINANCE NO. 2004 -16 b. The purchase price, amount of money loaned upon, or pledged therefor. c. The maturity date of the transaction and the amount due, including monthly and annual interest rates and all pawn fees and charges. d. Date, time and place the item of property was received by the licensee and the unique alpha and/or numeric transaction identifier that distinguishes it from all other transactions in the licensee's records. e. Full name, current residence address, current residence telephone number, date of birth, and accurate description of the person from whom the item of the property was received, including: sex, height, weight, race, color of eyes, and color of hair f. The identification number and state of issue from any of the following forms of identification of the seller: 1. Current valid Minnesota driver's license. 2. Current valid Minnesota identification card. 3. Current valid photo identification card issued by another state or province of Canada. The signature of the person identified in the transaction. h. Effective sixty (60) days from the date of notification by the City of acceptable video standards the licensee must also take a color photograph or color video recording of: 1. Each customer involved in a billable transaction. 2. Every item pawned or sold that does not have a unique serial or identification number permanently engraved or affixed. If a photograph is taken, it must be at least two (2) inches in length by two (2) inches in width and must be maintained in such a manner that the photograph can be readily matched and correlated with all other records of the transaction to which they relate. Such photographs must be available to the City Manager's designee, upon request. The major portion of the photograph must include an identifiable front facial close -up of the person who pawned or sold the item. Items photographed must be accurately depicted. The licensee must inform the person that he or she is being photographed by displaying a sign of sufficient size in a conspicuous place in the premises. If a video photograph is taken, the video camera must zoom in on the person pawning or selling the ORDINANCE NO. 2004 -16 item so as to include an identifiable close -up of that person's face. Items photographed by video must be accurately depicted. Video photographs must be electronically referenced by time and date so they can be readily matched and correlated with all other records of the transaction to which they relate. The licensee must inform the person that he or she is being videotaped orally and by displaying a sign of sufficient size in a conspicuous place on the premises. The licensee must kee the ex.osed videota.e for three 3 months. Digitized Photographs. Effective sixty (60) days from the date of notification by the City licensees must fulfill the color photograph requirements in Section 23 -615 Subdivision 1(h) by submitting them as digital images, in a format specified by the issuing authority, electronically cross referenced to the reportable transaction they are associated with. Notwithstanding the digital images may be captured from required video recordings, this provision does not altar or amend the requirements in Section 23 -615 Subdivision 1(h). j. Renewals, Extensions, and Redemptions. For renewals, extensions and redemptions, the licensee shall provide the original transaction identifier, the date of the current transaction, and the type of transaction. k. Inspection of Records. The records must at all reasonable times be open to inspection by the City Manager's designee. Data entries shall be retained for at least three (3) years from the date of transaction. Entries of required digital images shall be retained a minimum of ninety (90) days. Subdivision 2. Label Required. Licensees must attach a label to every item at the time it is pawned, purchased, or received in inventory from any reportable transaction. Permanently recorded on this label must be the number or name that identifies the transaction in the shop's records, the transaction date, the name of the item and the description or the model and serial number of the item as reported to the City, whichever is applicable, and the date the item is out of pawn or can be sold, if applicable. Labels shall not be re -used. Section 6. Section 23 -616 is hereby amended in the following manner ()1 r] AND EXEMPTIONS] L IA corn tQ.r daily bas.. s, I t c t Ju(er the Brooklyn. i.; ;txt :r Poli p €rrt; .ent:. computer systern. The report shall z. Section 23 -616. DAILY REPORTS. niU t h .repol7ted on the ORDINANCE NO. 2004 -16 Subdivision 1. Effective no later than sixty (60) days after the City provides licensees with the current version of the Automated Pawn System Interchange File Specification, licensees must submit every reportable transaction to the City daily in the following manner a. Licensees must provide to the City all reportable transaction information by transferring it from their computer to the Automated Pawn System via modem using the current version of the Automated Pawn System Interchange File Specification. All required records must be transmitted completely and accurately after the close of business each day in accordance with standards and procedures established by the issuing authority. Any transaction that does not meet the Automated Pawn System Interchange File Specification must be corrected and resubmitted the next business day. The licensee must display a sign of sufficient size, in a conspicuous place in the premises, which informs patrons that all transactions are reported to the police department daily. Subdivision 2. Billable Transaction Fees. Licensees will be charged for each billable transaction reported to the City. a. If a licensee is unable to successfully transfer the required reports by modem, the licensee must provide the City,upon request, printed copies of all reportable transactions, along with the video tape(s) for that date, by 12:00 noon the next business day; b. If the problem is determined to be in the licensee's system and is not corrected by the close of the first business day following the failure, the licensee must continue to provide the required reports as detailed in Section 23 -616 Subdivision 2(a) and must be charged a fifty dollar ($50.00) reporting failure penalty, daily, until the error is corrected; or c. If the problem is determined to be outside the licensee's system, the licensee must continue to provide the required reports as detailed in Section 23 -616 Subdivision 2(a), and resubmit all such transactions via modem when the error is corrected. d. Regardless of the cause or origin of the technical problems that prevented the licensee from uploading their reportable transactions, upon correction of the problem, the licensee shall upload every reportable transaction from every business day the problem had existed. e. Section 23 -616 Subdivision 2(a) through (c) notwithstanding, the City may, upon presentation of extenuating circumstances, delay the implementation of the daily reporting penalty. ORDINANCE NO. 2004 -16 Section 23 -618. HOLDING PERIOD. Any item purchased or accepted in trade by a licensee must not be sold or otherwise transferred for thirty (30) days from the date of the transaction. An individual may redeem an item seventy -two (72) hours after the item was received on deposit, excluding Sundays and legal holidays. The address and telephone numh r- of the business: [L° [d, A comp iet and <ac:cu €°gate descripti and serial €rnhe:r if indicated Sara th [e [1 [i. Section 7. Section 23 -618 is hereby amended in the following manner: Section 8. Section 23 -619 is hereby amended in the following manner: RECEIPT. s :ices .d l a nl roI er €nu incl Iedgor e 1 s ra ature r her, ind c: fading Sun' address, r pra.€ iaas tr <a pry and e A desca °il ti afthe pled§ r iaac:l a l:in£ apt €e i aat iaeil The amt. nt paid gar ad•vanc .d°I he t la °its- date aaad is €a naa€ t due and the €xmon:ihly a €a ephone number', the seiiei he items purchased iaaduding model ORDINANCE NO. 2004 -16 In a(ld %t:io 3. "Any personal prop rt ;le l ed to ,a pawnhr subject to stile or disposal -hen Cher t -count 1bl pawl rlsactlou rencwal, or `:(:There is rtc obli4; ma for ti pleedror ci this its rr9ttc sts tbat ei�cttrnhrances d g inst it, and the pleclgor has the f. The amount advanced or paid. pay' era nitrate vast t he s nec essar and si r ecl f °opert to pers idcirtifzeel i edgor at the o r. 'r °it.ter: °edeer only by the pledgor to 'horn the rac; rs0n identiii ni the prop writing by the and e of t author "ir pledg.or mils' he Section 23 -619. RECEIPT REQUIRED. Every licensee must provide a receipt to the party identified in every reportable transaction and must maintain a duplicate of that receipt for three (3) years. The receipt must include at least the following information: a. The name, address, and telephone number of the licensed business. b. The date and time the item was received by the licensee. c. Whether the item was pawned or sold, or the nature of the transaction. d. An accurate description of each item received including, but not limited to, any trademark, identification number, serial number, model number, brand name, or other identifying mark on such an item. e. The signature or unique identifier of the licensee or employee that conducted the transaction. g. The monthly and annual interest rates, including all pawn fees and charges. ORDINANCE NO. 2004 -16 h. The last regular day of business by which the item must be redeemed by the pledgor without risk that the item will be sold, and the amount necessary to redeem the pawned item on that date. i. The full name, current residence address, current residence telephone number, and date of birth of the pledgor or seller. i. The identification number and state of issue from any of the following forms of identification of the seller: 1. Current valid Minnesota driver's license. 2. Current valid Minnesota identification card. 3. Current valid photo driver's license or identification card issued by another state or province of Canada. k. Description of the pledgor or seller including sex, race, color of eyes, color of hair, approximate height and weight. 1 The signature of the pledgor or seller. m. All printed statements as required by Minnesota Statutes, Section 325J.04 Subd. 2, or any other applicable statutes. 71_ t" l l)l_.l( °E ORDERS. If <z C..` notifies a premises until verbal, should be to be held. i:it)(t the reas fs Section 9. Section 23 -620 is hereby amended in the following manner: C heal 1101, 3 by 1 Section 23 -620. POLICE ORDER TO HOLD PROPERTY. '4) days sating Subdivision 1. Investigative Hold. Whenever a law enforcement official from any agency notifies a licensee not to sell an item, the item must not be sold or removed from the premises. The investigative hold shall be confirmed in writing by the originating agency within seventy -two (72) hours and will remain in effect for fifteen (15) days from the date of initial notification, or until the investigative order is canceled, or until an order to hold /confiscate is issued, pursuant to Section 23 -620., Subdivision 2, whichever comes first. ORDINANCE NO. 2004 -16 Subdivision 2. Order to Hold. Whenever the City Manager's designee, notifies a licensee not to sell an item, the item must not be sold or removed from the licensed premises until authorized to be released by the City Manager's designee. The order to hold shall expire ninety (90) days from the date it is placed unless the City Manager's designee determines the hold is still necessary and notifies the licensee in writing. Subdivision 3. Order to Confiscate. If an item is identified as stolen or evidence in a criminal case, the City Manager's designee may: a. Physically confiscate and remove it from the shop, pursuant to a written order from the City Manager's designee, or b. Place the item on hold or extend the hold as provided in Section 23 -620, Subdivision 2, and leave it in the shop. When an item is confiscated, the person doing so shall provide identification upon request of the licensee, and shall provide the licensee the name and phone number of the confiscating agency and investigator, and the case number related to the confiscation. When an order to hold/confiscate is no longer necessary, the City Manager's designee shall so notify the licensee. [[iis[r unsoitti nun Section 10. Section 23 -624 is hereby amended in the following manner 24. n 1, i- skc`r, A aNv3i.brok. ri [S stop :ship: 'operty that i. s not their )`:t%n] S[lAt1E.] A lino d pars 1 od.s t It; t n: A pawnb r sport of military L1).] r deposit an ORDINANCE NO. 2004 -16 [Subdivision. 5. Sty violation of this s Section 23 -624. PROHIBITED ACTS AND SIGNAGE. To pawn or sell property: a. No person under the age of eighteen (18) years may pawn or sell or attempt to pawn or sell goods with any licensee, nor may any licensee receive any goods from a person under the age of eighteen (18) years. b. No licensee may receive any goods from a person of unsound mind or an intoxicated person. c. No licensee may receive any goods, unless the seller presents identification in the form of a valid driver's license, a valid State of Minnesota identification card, or current valid photo driver's license or identification card issued by the state or providence of residency of the person from whom the item was received. d. No licensee may receive any item of property that possesses an altered or obliterated serial number or operation identification number or any item of property that has had its serial number removed. e. No person may pawn, pledg sell, consign, leave, or deposit any article of property_ not their own; nor shall any person pawn, pledge, sell, consign, leave, or deposit the property of another, whether with permission or without; nor shall any person pawn, pledge, sell, consign, leave, or deposit any article of property in which another has a security interest; with any licensee. f. No person seeking to pawn, pledge, sell, consign, leave, or deposit any article of property with any licensee shallgive a false or fictitious name; nor give a false date of birth; nor give a false or out of date address of residence or telephone number; nor present a false or altered identification, or the identification of another; to any licensee. Signage: A sign must be conspicuously posted on each licensed premises that is not less than four feet square in surface area, comprised of lettering not less than 3 /4" high stating the following: A. You must be at least 18 years of age. B. You must be the true owner of the property. C. The property must be free of all claims and liens. D. You must present valid photo identification. ORDINANCE NO. 2004-16 E. Violation of any of these requirements is a crime. F. All transactions are reported to police department daily. Section 11. Section 23-625 is hereby amended in the following manner Section 23-625. LICENSE DENIAL, SUSPENSION OR REVOCATION. A license under this section may be denied, suspended or revoked by the City Council after a public hearing where the licensee is granted the opportunity to be heard, for one or more of the following reasons: [a. Th.c operation of the business is in conflict with. any lift of this ordinance]. lib 'The: operation of the business :is in conflict with any health, building, 1..‘mtintenance, zoning, or other provision of this ordinance or .1.a..w:] EC The licensee or the business premise fails to conform with the standards fix license application contained :in this section] [d. Th.e licensee has 'failed to comply with one or more provisions oI this section. or any St4:ititte, rule or ordinance pertaining to •the business of pawnbrok.er] [e. .Fraud, misreprusentation or bribery in securing a license] Fraud, misrepresentation or false sta'et.".'ints intide in I... r course of the applicant's business] [g. Subject to the proYisions of iaw, he licensee has been eonvicted of any state or federal law relating to receiving sole property, sale of stolen property or controlled substances, burglary. robbery, theft damage Or trespass to property, operation of a busilesS, of any law or ordinance regulating, the business of pawnbroker] a. The proposed use does not comply with the any applicable zoning code. b. The proposed use does not comply with any health, building, building maintenance, or other provisions of this Code of Ordinances or state law. c. The applicant or licensee has failed to comply with one or more provisions of Sections 23-601 through 23-630. ORDINANCE NO. 2004 -16 d The applicant is not a citizen of the United States or a resident alien, or upon whom it is impractical or impossible to conduct a background or financial investigation due to the unavailability of information. e. Fraud, misrepresentation or bribery in securing or renewing a license. f. Fraud, misrepresentation, or false statements made in the application and investigation for, or in the course of, the applicant's business. Violation within the preceding five (5) years, of any law relating to theft, damage or trespass to property, sale of a controlled substance, or operation of a business. h. The owner of the premises licensed or to be licensed would not qualify for a license under the terms of this section. Section 12. Section 23 -626 is hereby amended in the following manner: Section 23 -626. REDEMPTION PERIOD. I:\. on INho 90 thi s to ro,..keni tz. kern h.1oreit11aybeso Rcdeinption ziid o ptin shall otherwise o ;g erned by Minnesota Statutes. Chapter 1125.1.] Any person pledging, pawning, or depositing an item for security must have a minimum of ninety (90) days from the date of that transaction to redeem the item before it may be forfeited and sold. During the ninety (90) day holding period, items may not be removed from the licensed location except as provided in Section 23 -606 Subdivision 2. Licensees are prohibited from redeeming any item to anyone other than the person to whom the receipt was issued or, to any person identified in a written and notarized authorization to redeem the property identified in the receipt, or to a person identified in writing by the pledgor at the time of the initial transaction and signed by the pledgor, or with approval of the City Manager's designee. Written authorization for release of property to persons other than original pledgor must be maintained along with original transaction record in accordance with Section 615 Subdivision 1(j). Section 13. Section 23 -627 is hereby added as follows: Section 23 -627. INSPECTION OF ITEMS. At all times during the terms of the license, the licensee must allow law enforcement officials to enter the premises where the licensed business is located, including all off -site storage facilities as authorized in Section 23 -606 Subdivision 2 during normal business hours, except in an emergency, for the purpose of inspecting such premises and inspecting the items, ware and merchandise and records therein to verify compliance with this section or other applicable laws. ORDINANCE NO. 2004 -16 Section 14. Section 23 -628 is hereby repealed as follows: purpose Adopted this 26 day of July, 2004. ATTEST: 11 pr prr poly des t t d e.. s premises •u der this business 1 rrr: a a ith rrt a c,i the rec :ds and ar -1es there] Section 15. Section 23 -629 is hereby renumbered to Section 23 -628. Section 16. Section 23 -630 is hereby renumbered to Section 23 -629 and amended in the following manner: Section 23- 6[30]29. SEVERABILITY. If any part of Sections 23 -601 through 23 -6301 I shall be adjudged to be invalid by a court of competent jurisdiction, such judgment or decree shall not affect or impair the remainder of said sections. Section 17. Section 23 -631 is hereby renumbered to Section 23 -630 and amended in the following manner: Section 23-631110. PENALTIES. Any person violating any provision of Sections 23 -601 through 23-630[1] shall be guilty of a misdemeanor, and upon conviction thereof, shall be punished by a fine of not more than one thousand dollars ($1,000) and imprisonment for not more than 90 days, or both, together with the cost of prosecution. Section 18. This ordinance shall be effective after adoption and thirty days following its legal publication. Mayor 7 Date of Publication: August 5, 2004 Effective Date: September 4, 2004 (Brackets indicate matter to be deleted, underline indicates new matter.)