File #: 20-0355    Name: Pawnbrokers
Type: Ordinance Status: Agenda Ready
File created: 11/20/2019 In control: City Council Legislative Meeting
On agenda: 12/10/2019 Final action:
Title: Introduction and First Reading of an Ordinance to Amend and reordain Chapter 8 ("JUNK DEALERS, ANTIQUES DEALERS, CANVASSERS, PAWNBROKERS AND DEALERS IN SECONDHAND ARTICLES, PRECIOUS METALS OR GEMS") of Title 9 ("LICENSING AND REGULATIONS") of The City of Alexandria, Virginia, 1981, as amended.
Attachments: 1. 20-0355_Attachment 1 - Propsed Ordinance Cover, 2. 20-0355_Attachment 2 - Proposed Ordinance Amendment

City of Alexandria, Virginia

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MEMORANDUM

 

 

DATE:                     DECEMBER 4, 2019

 

TO:                              THE HONORABLE MAYOR AND MEMBERS OF CITY COUNCIL

 

FROM:                   MARK B. JINKS, CITY MANAGER   /s/  

 

DOCKET TITLE:                    

TITLE

Introduction and First Reading of an Ordinance to Amend and reordain Chapter 8 (“JUNK DEALERS, ANTIQUES DEALERS, CANVASSERS, PAWNBROKERS AND DEALERS IN SECONDHAND ARTICLES, PRECIOUS METALS OR GEMS”) of Title 9 (“LICENSING AND REGULATIONS”) of The City of Alexandria, Virginia, 1981, as amended.

BODY

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ISSUE:  Consideration of an ordinance amendment to remain current with emerging technologies and establishing the most efficient method of delivery of transaction records, and to eliminate burden on businesses of extraneous reporting requirements.

RECOMMENDATION:  That City Council pass the proposed ordinance (Attachment 2) on first reading and schedule it for second reading, public hearing, and final passage on December 14, 2019.

DISCUSSIONChapter 8, Article A of the City Code establishes a policy for the City to exercise its powers to regulate the purchase or pawn of junk, antiques, and secondhand articles, precious metals and gems by pawnbrokers and other dealers by requiring the holding of each article for a 15 day period and requiring that records be kept for each purchase. Furthermore, Chapter 8, Article B, Sections 9-8-15 and 9-8-16, establish requirements for record of transactions and reporting of such transaction records to the Police Department.

The ordinance amendment updates the City Code to be current with emerging technologies and establishing the most efficient method of delivery of transaction records, and to eliminate burden on businesses of extraneous reporting requirements.  It further provides an enforcement measure for the Police Department if a regulated business refuses to report the transaction records electronically. 

This ordinance amendment is part of an ongoing comprehensive effort to update and modernize the City Code.

 

FISCAL IMPACTThere is no fiscal impact as a result of this ordinance amendment. 

 

ATTACHMENTS:

Attachment 1:  Proposed Ordinance Cover

Attachment 2:  Proposed Ordinance Amendment

 

STAFF:

Debra Collins, Deputy City Manager

George McAndrews, Assistant City Attorney

Michael L. Brown, Chief of Police

Walter J. Boyd, Detective