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Ms. Harryman replied that in Option A, staff is suggesting that the State process <br />background checks, as they are trained to investigate complaints. She noted that if the <br />City takes a more active role in this, it would increase its exposure. <br />Commissioner Blank noted that background checks are done frequently in private <br />industry. He stated that there are five levels of background checks from having a <br />driver’s license to higher security levels but that he did not envision the City doing the <br />background checks. <br />Ms. Harryman explained that what staff is proposing is that the applicant self-certify, <br />which can have shortcomings.She added that any crimes or convictions of a sexual <br />nature will obviously be an immediate disqualification for someone to obtain a permit, <br />whereas other crimes may or may not be disqualifiers, depending on the nature of the <br />crime and when it occurred.She noted that these areas will raise many more questions <br />for staff to figure out. <br />Commissioner O’Connor inquired, if the Commission will have the State certify under <br />Option A, if the City would want to be involved in any child-related services that would <br />be for 20 students or less, under 10 or 15 hours; or, would the City have them <br />self-certify if they do not meet child care definitions. <br />Ms. Stern replied that it would be up to the Commission to refine that policy; however, in <br />general, if they do not meet the City’s criteria for child care, they would default to <br />whatever regulation is relevant to that use currently in the Code. <br />With reference to liability, Chair Pearce stated that the City would obviously have a third <br />party do the background checks, which would limit the City’s liability. She added that <br />she assumes the State would have standards for doing background checks such as it <br />would matter if someone had a DUI in the last five years but not if it was ten years ago. <br />She requested staff to look at what the State does with regard to this should the <br />Commission opt for Option B. <br />Ms. Stern stated that she believes the State would have some standard to determine <br />which crimes would matter and their corresponding time limits. <br />Chair Pearce portrayed a situation where a child needed CPR, and the City relied on an <br />organization that conducts first aid training, which would limit the City’s exposure in the <br />end. <br />Commissioner Blank stated that if they were trained by an appropriate agency like the <br />Red Cross, were certified and card-carrying, they would be exempt under the Good <br />Samaritan Rule and would not be exposed to any liability. <br />PLANNING COMMISSION MINUTES, July 8, 2009 Page 10 of 15 <br /> <br />