Sec. 8-554. - Issuance of license.

(a)

The city council shall approve the issuance of a license by the city clerk to an applicant after a public hearing before the city council unless the city council finds one or more of the following to be true:

(1)

An applicant is under 18 years of age.

(2)

An applicant or an applicant's spouse is overdue in payment to the city of taxes, fees, fines, or penalties assessed against or imposed upon the applicant or the applicant's spouse in relation to a sexually oriented business.

(3)

An applicant has failed to provide information reasonably necessary for issuance of the license or has falsely answered a question or request for information on the application form.

(4)

An applicant or an applicant's spouse has been convicted of a violation of a provision of this chapter, other than the offense of operating a sexually oriented business without a license, within two years immediately preceding the application. The fact that a conviction is being appealed shall have no effect.

(5)

The license fee required by this chapter has not been paid.

(6)

An applicant has been employed in a sexually oriented business in a managerial capacity within the preceding 12 months and has demonstrated an inability to operate or manage a sexually oriented business premises in a peaceful and law-abiding manner, thus necessitating action by law enforcement officers.

(7)

An applicant or the proposed establishment is in violation of or is not in compliance with sections 8-556, 8-559, 8-560, 8-561, 8-562, 8-563, 8-564, 8-565, or 8-566.

(8)

An applicant or an applicant's spouse has been convicted of a crime:

a.

Involving any violation of G.L. 1956, §§ 11-9-1 et seq., 11-10-1, 11-31-1 et seq., 11-34-1 et seq., 11-37-1 et seq. and 11-45-1(a)(7).

b.

For which:

1.

Less than five years have elapsed since the date of conviction or the date of release from confinement imposed for the conviction, whichever is the later date, if the conviction is of a misdemeanor offense;

2.

Less than ten years have elapsed since the date of conviction or the date of release from confinement for the conviction, whichever is the later date, if the conviction is of a felony offense; or

3.

Less than ten years have elapsed since the date of the last conviction or the date of release from confinement for the last conviction, whichever is the later date, if the convictions are of two or more misdemeanor offenses or combination of misdemeanor offenses occurring within any 24-month period.

(b)

The fact that a conviction is being appealed shall have no effect on the disqualification of the applicant or applicant's spouse.

(c)

An applicant who has been convicted or whose spouse has been convicted of an offense listed in subsection (a)(8)a of this section may qualify for a sexually oriented business license only when the time period required by subsection (a)(8)b of this section has elapsed.

(d)

The premises to be used for the sexually oriented business have not been approved by the state health department, city fire department and building official as being in compliance with applicable law and ordinances.

(e)

The license, if granted, shall state on its face the name of the person or persons to whom it is granted, the expiration date and the address of the sexually oriented business. The license shall be posted in a conspicuous place at or near the entrance to the sexually oriented business so that it may be easily read at any time.

(Rev. Ords. 1987, § 8-433)