Mounds View businesses register objections to plan

A proposal to require Mounds View businesses to register with the city appears to be losing support on the City Council.

At a recent work session, council members discussed the program in light of feedback they've received from local businesses.

Although city officials sent e-mails to 60 businesses, they heard back from only a dozen, said Ken Roberts, community development director for Mounds View.

Half of those business owners opposed the registration program idea in general. And all of them objected to possibly being charged a registration fee.

The City Council is scheduled to take up the proposed business registration issue tonight at its regular meeting, and is likely to vote on it.

Mounds View is the latest metro community to consider requiring businesses operating in the city to formally register.

Cities that require registration include: New Brighton, Maplewood, New Hope, Ramsey, Vadnais Heights and Fridley.

City officials have argued that the database would be a useful tool for law enforcement. It would help them locate the owner if there was a fire or code violation, and it would help track required maintenance of buildings.

Under the proposed registration program, businesses also would need to list any materials -- including hazardous chemicals -- stored at the site. That information, Roberts has said, would be especially useful for firefighters to have in hand when responding to a call.

But some business owners object to what they see as more government intrusion into private business, and also to potential fines for not complying with the proposed law.

Tim Roche, head of the Twin Cities North Chamber of Commerce, said he questions the necessity of making it a requirement.

"There are a few businesses that they need to get contact information for that they're just not getting it from," Roche said. "Our argument always has been: Why punish the many to get the few?"