In the October 22 Maplewood City Council meeting City Manager Amber Withycombe reported that several Maplewood businesses have allowed their business licenses to expire — some are one year behind and some are two.
She said in a follow-up email to 40 South that city staff is looking onto the best approach to dealing with delinquent businesses.
“This may take the form of citations and/or license revocation hearings. Staff is working with the city attorney to propose a response by the 11/12 council meeting. Delinquent businesses have been notified via email, phone, certified mail, and, in some cases, personal letter delivery regarding their overdue status. We are intent on working with these businesses to resolve their past due status. If they have been responsive to our outreach, we are committed to helping them remain in good standing,” she emailed.
In the meeting Withycombe also said, responding to a question from Mayor Barry Greenberg, that if a business’s license is revoked they can’t do business in the city. She also said that if a business hasn’t paid their state taxes they can’t renew their business license.
Council Member Faulkingham mentioned that license revocation hearing meetings are run differently from a typical council meeting. The city attorney confirmed that the process entails having the city’s business license official present the reasons for revocation and allows the license holder to present evidence to contest the decision.
It’s possible to hear Withycombe’s report on the city’s video of the meeting. This report begins at about 29:30 into the meeting.
Be aware that the audio quality is not good at some spots, especially the audio of Greenberg’s and Faulkingham’s questions. Withycombe said that Schiller’s will be working on sound and video upgrades for council meeting videos in the next weeks.