Legal counsel and licensing staff briefed council on three regulatory items on Dec. 2: a proposed administrative small‑claims policy, a local license update at Walmart, and a proposed ordinance to register restaurant grease bins to prevent spills.

City counsel described a policy option to allow staff to handle small claims administratively for claims that do not exceed $2,500 and to pair any payment with a waiver of other claims. "It'll be any claim that does not exceed a $2,500 value," the attorney said, explaining the policy would formalize procedures the city already follows in practice for routine incidents (pothole tire damage, minor property incidents) while coordinating with insurance and public‑works reviews.

Licensing specialist Whitney Cox noted that Walmart Stores East LP submitted a manager change for its current retail package malt‑beer and wine license; the store completed required notices and background checks. Cox said the change is a straightforward licensee update but must return at Tuesday’s meeting for a public hearing and cannot be handled as a consent item because local code requires a published hearing.

Community development staff presented an ordinance amendment to Chapter 20 (solid waste management) focused on cooking grease. The amendment would require restaurants and similar businesses to register grease bins at license renewal, provide the bin’s location, size and color, and display a city issued decal within 90 days of ordinance approval; staff also proposed fines for spills that enter storm drains. Interim director Bridal Carter said staff had sent notices to roughly 70–78 local restaurants and sought input at the public hearing.

Council did not vote on any of these items during the work session and scheduled them for formal consideration and public comment at the Tuesday meeting.