Columbia City Council set to vote on pawnbroker bill Monday

The Columbia City Council is scheduled to vote Monday night on a bill involving pawnbrokers. The Council meets at 7 p.m. at City Hall.

Columbia 2nd Ward City Councilman Michael Trapp requested that an ordinance be prepared to revise the licensing regulations relating to pawnbrokers, in order to aid in the investigation and recovery of stolen property and as a deterrent to crime.

The amendments would require a pawnbroker to improve record keeping on each transaction, and would add a requirement that a photo be taken of both the article being pawned and the head and shoulders of any person who receives cash in exchange for the property left with the pawnbroker.

The proposal would also require that the item may not be sold for seven business days and must be entered into an electronic database as designated by the Columbia police chief.

The City Council is also scheduled to vote Monday on a bill authorizing a $650,000 improvement project at the Thomas “Country” Atkins Jr. Memorial Park Baseball Complex.

The proposed improvements include construction of the final two baseball fields, installation of lights and additional parking. Proposed improvements also include installation of an irrigation pump station.

The proposed improvements are included in the Atkins Park Master Plan, which was approved by the Columbia City Council in April 2007. The total project budget is $650,000. Deputy City Manager Tony St. Romaine notes it’s funded by the 2015 park sales tax.

The 81-acre park is located at 5220 North Oakland Gravel Road. The Council packet notes it currently includes three baseball fields, a concession stand, restrooms and batting cages. Columbia Public Schools, the Show-Me State Games and other groups use the baseball fields.

The fields also host private tournaments.