§ 14-33. Issuance procedure generally.

(a)

Applications generally; fees. Every person required to procure a license under the provisions of this article from the city shall submit a written application for such license to the city clerk. The application shall:

(1)

Be a written statement on forms provided by the city clerk. Such forms shall include an affidavit, which shall be sworn to by the applicant before a notary public of this state.

(2)

Require the disclosure of all information necessary to comply with section 14-32 and of any other information which the city clerk shall find to be reasonably necessary to the fair administration of this article.

(3)

Be accompanied by the full amount of the fees chargeable for such license.

(4)

Be accompanied by payment of a fee in the amount of twenty-five dollars ($25.00) to cover the cost of investigation.

(5)

If applicable, provide a copy of a sales tax license showing the authority to make sales within the City of Kirksville and State of Missouri in addition to providing a no tax due clearance letter from the State of Missouri, dated no earlier than ninety (90) days prior to the date of license application submission.

(b)

Receipts. Whenever a license cannot be issued at the time the application for the same is made, the city clerk shall issue a receipt to the applicant for the money paid in advance, subject to the following conditions: Such receipt shall not be construed as the approval of the city clerk for the issuance of a license; nor shall it entitle or authorize the applicant to open or maintain any business contrary to the provisions of this article.

(c)

Renewal licenses. All licenses issued under this article shall be renewed upon the payment of the prescribed annual license fee and completion of the appropriate license renewal application. Such renewal shall require:

(1)

The disclosure of such information concerning the applicant's demeanor and conduct in the operation of applicant's business during the preceding licensing period in order to determine the applicant's eligibility for a renewal license. This determination is subject to the same criteria as set in section 14-32.

(2)

That no renewal application will be considered or license issued thereon unless all outstanding gross receipts fees or other obligations due the city have been paid.

(3)

That no renewal application will be considered or license issued thereon unless all Missouri state sales taxes are current and a no tax due clearance letter is provided from the State of Missouri, dated no earlier than ninety (90) days prior to the date of license application or renewal submission.

(4)

That no renewal application will be considered or license issued thereon unless there has been compliance with the city fire code as determined by the city fire chief.

(5)

That no renewal application will be considered or license issued thereon unless there has been compliance with the city property maintenance code as determined by the city codes and planning director.

(d)

Duplicate licenses; special permits. A duplicate license or special permit under this article shall be issued by the city clerk to replace any license previously issued, which has been lost, stolen, defaced or destroyed without any willful conduct on the part of the licensee, upon the filing by the licensee of an affidavit, sworn to before a notary public of this state, attesting to such fact and paying to the city clerk of a fee of five dollars ($5.00).

(e)

Signature. The application must be signed by the owner, if the business is a sole ownership; by a partner, if the business is a partnership; or by a reported officer or agent, if the business is a corporation or other legal entity. The signature must be of the owner, partner, officer, or agent reported on the application.

(f)

Contractor testing. Construction contractors, electricians, and plumbers are required to pass a written test showing competency in the field in which a business license is being applied for. The passing of the written test is necessary for final approval of a business license for these occupations.

(1)

Tests will be scheduled and administered by the Codes Department.

(2)

Tests will be graded on a pass/fail basis. Seventy (70) percent is the minimum passing grade for any test.

(3)

Persons who fail the first test will be allowed to take a second test at any time. Persons who fail a test the second time will be required to wait two (2) weeks before taking a test again.

(4)

Testing for the above occupations may be waived under the following conditions:

a.

The plumber, electrician, or contractor is a card carrying member of an accredited state or national union organization recognized for its members having the necessary skills for the license that has been requested. A journeyman's skill level would be accepted, while an apprentice level would not be accepted for a waiver of the test. The codes and planning director, or his designee, would decide any discrepancy in skill levels.

b.

The person applying for the license can provide proof of a degree or diploma from an accredited college or other institution of higher learning that applies directly to the occupation that is being applied for. The codes and planning director, or his designee, would make any decision on application of the degree versus the license desired.

c.

The codes and planning director or his designee may exempt from the testing any company applying for a contractor license that can provide evidence of:

1.

Current licensing in other cities with a population of 5,000 or more, or a county business license.

2.

Certificates from other states showing that contractor testing has been passed and is still current.

3.

Certificates from the Block or Thompson Prometric Testing programs showing the passing of contractor tests.

4.

Certificate showing that testing was taken and passed for rating of master electrician.

5.

Other documentation that the company is in business and competent to perform the work permitted by the license applied for.

d.

Contractors vetted through the City of Kirksville's request for bid process shall be exempt from contractor testing requirements, but shall be required to maintain a city business license for the duration of the contract. Any work done by these contractors for others in the city would require the testing to be completed unless qualifying for an exemption.

(5)

The failure of any contractor to renew his contractor's license by March 1 requires the contractor to start the application for a brand new business license, which would include any required testing. To receive a contractor, electrician, or plumber's license, the contractor has to pass their respective test(s), unless they qualify for an exemption to the testing which might be in effect at that time.

(6)

Contractors who fail to come in and take their required contractor tests within thirty (30) days after the application date will have their application denied, their application will be returned to the finance department, and no refunds will be given. Any contractor who fails a test and does not come back within thirty (30) days to take a subsequent test will have their application returned to the finance department and no refund will be given. Once the application is returned to the finance department, the application process must start over, including fees.

(Ord. No. 11950 § 1, 2-7-2011; Ord. No. 11988, § 2, 1-23-2012; Ord. No. 12040, § 1, 1-28-2013; Ord. No. 12121, 8-4-2014; Ord. No. 12178 , § 1, 11-16-2015, eff. 1-1-2016)