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Ms. Dennis suggested an option whereby insurance agents would be in a separate <br />classification. <br /> <br /> Mr. Iremonger indicated staff could accommodate whatever decision Council made. <br /> Ms. Michelotti agreed with Ms. Dennis' suggestion. <br /> <br /> Ms. Acosta indicated the downtown assessment was created for a different purpose than <br />the business license fee. It is to promote downtown activities and to take care of the special <br />activities. Staff has considered charging individual insurance agents the same as a single <br />business office, with the fee based on gross receipts of sales out of that office. She suggested <br />Council adopt a category for these businesses and let staff work out an appropriate formula. <br /> <br /> Harold Coursey, 610 Main Street, indicated he was on the Advisory Board and explained <br />how the fee structure was formulated. <br /> <br /> Mayor Tarver inquired about how nonprofit organizations are treated and expressed <br />concern about the percentage of receipts levied for downtown events. He suggested a flat fee <br />be charged. <br /> <br /> Mr. Coursey stated the fee is only charged for events that require out of pocket expenses <br />from the Downtown Association. He said there was only one time when a nonprofit <br />organization actually paid for participating in a downtown event. The policy of charging 10% <br />of gross receipts is not routinely enforced. <br /> <br /> Mr. Iremonger said the nonprofit organizations do not pay into the downtown assessment <br />district and there is a provision for those organizations outside the downtown area to be a <br />voluntary member of the district. <br /> <br /> Ms. Michelotti stated that sometimes even a $50 or $100 booth fee is a considerable <br />amount for a small nonprofit group to pay. She related comments opposed to taking a <br />percentage of the gross receipts from the nonprofit organizations. She also expressed her desire <br />that the concerts in the park schedule not be shortened next year. <br /> <br /> Mr. Coursey said the concert series was only shortened by two weeks and that was <br />because of two major events occurring on Main Street. <br /> <br /> Ms. Mohr suggested charging a special rate to nonprofits based on the cost of putting on <br />an event. <br /> <br /> Mr. Coursey indicated the only event really impacted is Heritage Days. During Heritage <br />Days ten booths are provided at no charge to various nonprofit organizations. <br /> <br />09/10/96 <br /> -3- <br /> <br /> <br />