City Council Waives License Fees

On March 11, 2020, Gov. John Bel Edwards declared that a state wide public health emergency existed in Louisiana because of COVID-19 and on March 16, he ordered the closure of bars and nightclubs. An ordinance introduced before the Monroe City Council requesting a “one time” waiver of Class A License Fees for bars and nightclubs that were unable to open during the COVID-19 pandemic was up for final passage at Tuesday (Nov.10) night’s city council meeting. By a 4-0 vote, council members passed the ordinance. Council Chairman Doug Harvey was absent, as Vice Chairman Carday Marshall, Sr. conducted council proceedings. These are businesses that do not sell food. The city of Monroe was asked to waive the annual Class A License Fee for the year 2021 for owners who paid their 2020 fees, but could not operate their business due to the virus. This applies to bars and nightclubs only. State Sen. Stuart Cathey, who supported the resolution, said that a package of bills doing just that on the state level, and is hopeful that they will be passed. He said that these were businesses that were forced to close at no fault of their own and that the House and Senate agreed. Cathey also said that it was “more than fair” to grant the businesses a waiver on next year’s license and in the future, is hopeful that the city (Monroe) would take the same action as they did. There were approximately 19 businesses in the city that would meet the resolution’s request, resulting in a $9500.00 loss in revenue at $500.00 per license for the incoming year. In other news the city council was asked to adopt a resolution for the city to advertise for bids to purchase and install temperature scanner kiosks. Ellen Hill, from the Planning and Urban Development Department is requesting council approval to purchase 29 scanners to be used by city employees and the public, as the city desires to take additional precautions to further ensure the safety of its employees and the public at Monroe facilities, as it fights the effects of COVID-19. Funds for the temperature scanners will be derived from a U.S. Department of Justice—Coronavirus Supplemental Grant awarded to the city, to prevent, to prepare and respond to the coronavirus. The estimated cost of the scanners is $93,000. That resolution also passed 4-0.