Town council passes new business fees

Town council voted in favour of adopting a revised fee schedule to go along with its new business licensing bylaw at its regular meeting last night.
The annual fees, which will be effective as of May 1, 2006, are as follows (non-resident fees are in parentheses):
•public halls—$56;
•public halls transfer of licence (one-time fee)—$31;
•taxi driver—$26;
•taxi driver’s badge (one-time deposit)—$46;
•taxi owner’s licence—$326 for each on-street cab, $122 for each off-street, and $51 for each transfer of licence;
•chauffeur’s licence—$26;
•limousine owner’s licence—$11, for each vehicle—$102;
•chauffeur’s badge (one-time deposit)—$46;
•adult live entertainment parlours—$357;
•auctioneer—$36 ($128);
•bill posters and distributors—$36;
•billiard hall (each table)—$36;
•bowling alley (each lane)—$36;
•dry cleaners—$36 ($128);
•laundries/laundromats—$36 ($128);
•community special events—$153;
•restaurants—$36;
•food shops (confections only, groceries, bakery, meat vendor, deli)—$36;
•hairstyling shop—$36;
•hair stylist/barber independent of shop—$36 ($128);
•hawker/peddlar—$36;
•hawker/peddlar class 1 (day sales)—$61 ($133);
•hawker/peddlar class 2 (seasonal sales)—$36 ($128);
•hawker/peddlar class 3 (door-to-door sales)—$46 ($128);
•hawker/peddlar class 4 (door-to-door salesperson)—$46 ($128);
•hawker/peddlar class 5 (antique/collectible)—$36 ($128);
•hawker/peddlar class 6 (crafts shows)—$36 ($128);
•hawker/peddlar class 7 (trade shows)—$61 ($133);
•hawker/peddlar class 8 (flea markets)—$36 ($128);
•hawker/peddlar class 9 (general)—$36 ($128);
•hotel/motel—$36;
•motor vehicle towing—$36 ($128);
•photographer—$36 ($128);
•place of amusement—$36;
•skating rink—$36;
•public garage—$36;
•refreshment vehicles (categories one and five)—$46;
•refreshment vehicles (categories two, three, four, and six)—$153;
•second-hand dealer, salvage yard and pawnbroker-$36;
•show, carnival, circus—$133 (one day or less), $61 (each additional);
•tattoo parlour, body piercing, electrolysis—$36;
•newspapers and magazines—$133;
•old gold and silver dealers—$36;
•electrical contractors/electricians—$36 ($357);
•plumbing contractors/plumbers—$36 ($357);
•all other trades, occupations, and professions—$36 ($357);
•wholesale fruits and vegetables—$36;
•transient traders—deposit of $510; and
•transportation (including busing but excluding taxis)—$36 ($128).
Clerk Glenn Treftlin said yesterday evening that the amended fee schedule reflects changes made in the licensing bylaw, which saw either the addition of new business categories or the recategorization of previously-existing ones.
Many of the fees, such as the average cost of $36 for most local businesses, are in line with the previous fee schedule.
Coun. Roy Avis said last night he had several concerns about the fee schedule, and felt it should be further discussed prior to any vote.
For instance, if a resident or business owner willingly hires an unlicensed contractor to do a job, who is liable? And if an out-of-town operator comes here and does a half-day or weekend job, will the town be able to keep up with the enforcement seven days a week?
Fort Frances Chamber of Commerce president Gary Rogozinski also voiced concerns, such as the availability of the revised fee schedule prior to yesterday’s meeting as well as ensuring a level playing field when licensing resident and non-resident businesses.
The bylaw was passed by a vote of 5-2, with Couns. Avis and Tannis Drysdale opposed.
Copies of this amended licensing fee schedule are available at the information counter at the Civic Centre.
Also at last night’s meeting, council:
•approved a break-open ticket licence application from the Fort Frances Aquanauts Swim Club from April 25-Oct. 16, 2006 at Rainy Lake Sports and Tackle;
•approved a break-open ticket licence application from the Fort Frances Volunteer Bureau from April 25-Oct. 1, 2006 at the Makabi Inn;
•agreed to a request from the Ministry Responsible for Seniors to proclaim June 15 as “World Elder Abuse Awareness Day” in the Town of Fort Frances;
•referred a request from the FFHS “chem-free” grad committee to waive auditorium rental fees for the 2006 party on June 22, 2006 to the Administration and Finance executive committee for its recommendation;
•referred a request from tour de Fort regarding displays and overall maintenance of the Townshend Theatre to the Townshend Theatre Management Committee for its recommendation; and
•agreed to proclaim May 14-20 as “Census Week 2006,” and encouraged all residents to complete their 2006 Statistics Canada census forms online at www.census2006.ca or by mail by Tuesday, May 15.