[Ord. No. 2000-184]
No person shall solicit funds from the general public upon the sidewalks or public ways of the City unless a permit has been issued by the City Manager authorizing such solicitation. "Person" shall mean any individual, firm, partnership, corporation, company, association or joint stock association, church, religious sect, religious denomination, society, veterans' group, organization or league and includes any trustee, receiver, assignee, agent, or other similar representative thereof. "Public ways" shall not include any municipal street used for vehicular travel.
A. 
An application for such permit shall be made upon forms provided by the City. Such application shall be sworn to and filed with the City Clerk at least 15 days prior to the time for which the permit is desired and shall contain the following information, or in lieu thereof, a detailed statement of the reason or reasons why such information cannot be furnished:
(1) 
The name and address or headquarters of the applicant;
(2) 
If the applicant is not an individual, the names and addresses of the applicant's principal officers and managers and a copy of the resolution, if any, authorizing such solicitation, certified to as a true and correct copy of the original by the officer having charge of applicant's records;
(3) 
A full statement of the character and extent of the charitable, civic, educational or religious work being done by the applicant within the City;
(4) 
The purpose for which such solicitation is to be made, the total amount of fund proposed to be raised thereby, and the use or disposition to be made of any receipts therefrom;
(5) 
A specific statement, supported by reasons and, if available, figures showing the need for the contributions to be solicited;
(6) 
The names and addresses of the person or persons who will be in direct charge of conducting the solicitation and the names of all individuals connected or to be connected with the proposed solicitation;
(7) 
An outline of the method or methods to be used in conducting the solicitation and the time when it is desired to make such solicitation;
(8) 
The estimated expense of the solicitation, the estimated amount of any fees or expenses to be paid to any person in connection with such solicitation, and the names and addresses of all such persons;
(9) 
A financial statement of the last preceding solicitation from the public upon the streets of the City by the applicant, giving the date of the solicitation, the amount of money then raised, the expense of the solicitation and the final distribution thereof; and
(10) 
Such other information as might be reasonably required by the Manager in order for him to determine the kind and character of the proposed solicitation and whether it is in the interest of, and not inimical to, the public welfare.
B. 
If, while any application is then pending, there is any change in fact, policy or method, that would alter the information given in the application, the applicant shall notify the City Clerk in writing thereof within 24 hours after such change.
The City Manager shall issue a permit whenever he shall find the following facts to exist:
A. 
That the purpose for which the solicitation is to be made is a legitimate health, welfare, educational, civic or religious one which will affect, service or benefit the entire City;
B. 
That the solicitation from the general public is reasonably required for the financing of such purpose;
C. 
That the officers and managers of the applicant and the person or persons who will be in direct charge of or connected with the solicitation are all responsible and reliable persons of good character or reputation for honesty and integrity;
D. 
That the method and time of the solicitation proposed are reasonably designed and planned so as not to inconvenience the general public using the streets, sidewalks and public ways of the City;
E. 
That neither applicant nor any of its officers, managers or members connected with the solicitation has engaged in any fraudulent transaction or enterprise, and that the solicitation will not be a fraud upon the public;
F. 
That the cost of raising the funds will be reasonable and that the solicitation is promoted solely by a desire to finance the cause described in the application and not for any private profit; and
G. 
That the statements made in the application are true.
Permits issued under this Division shall bear the name and address of the person by whom the solicitation is to be made, the number of the permit, the date issued, the date on which the solicitation is permitted, and a statement that the permit does not constitute an endorsement by the City or by any of its departments, officers or employees of the purpose or of the person conducting the solicitation. All permits must be signed by the City Manager. They shall be nontransferable.
A. 
All persons to whom permits have been issued under this Division shall furnish proper credentials to their agents and solicitors for such solicitation. Such credentials shall include the name of the permit holder, the date, a statement describing said holder's charitable activity, a description of the purpose of the solicitation, the signature of the permit holder or the holder's chief executive officer, and the name, address, age, sex and signature of the solicitor to whom such credentials are issued and the specific period of time during which said solicitor is authorized to solicit on behalf of the permit holder. A copy of such proposed credentials must be filed with the application for a permit and must be approved by the City Manager as conforming to the requirements of this section and a facsimile copy of the permits must be shown upon request to all persons solicited and to any police officer of the City.
B. 
No agent or solicitor shall solicit contributions for any charitable, civic, education or religious purpose for any person in the City, unless such person has been granted a permit under the provisions of this article.
It shall be the duty of all persons issued permits under this Division to furnish to the City Manager, within 30 days after the solicitation a detailed report and financial statement showing the amount raised by the solicitation, the amount expended in collecting such funds, including a detailed report of the wages, fees, commissions, and expenses paid to any person in connection with such solicitation and the disposition of the balance of the funds collected.
Any person violating any of the provisions of this Division or filing or causing to be filed an application for a permit containing false or fraudulent misstatements shall be punished under the provisions of § 1-106 of this Code.