Title
Public Hearing to Consider Adoption of Resolution Amending Master Fee Resolution No. 12191 to Add and Revise Fees (Excluding City Attorney and Rent Program Fees). (Finance 10024051)
Body
To: Honorable Mayor and Members of the City Council
From: Adam W. Politzer, Interim City Manager
EXECUTIVE SUMMARY
Annually, City of Alameda (City) staff review existing fees and charges as part of the budget development process. Any modifications to the Master Fee Schedule (MFS) are recommended to reflect increases in the cost-of-living adjustments authorized by Resolution and the Alameda Municipal Code (AMC) with City Council’s approval.
Department-specific changes are proposed to improve clarity, cost recovery, and regulatory compliance. Highlights include:
• The Library Department is updating its fees to reflect program changes and improve public access. Fees tied to the discontinued laptop lending program are being removed. The former Family Study Room is now a free Large Group Study Room. To help offset these costs, the rental fee for the Stafford Room is being slightly increased.
• Public Works is proposing updates to parking citation fees to improve public safety, accessibility, and consistency with State law and the AMC. The proposal includes adding four new citations, increasing seven existing fees to align with comparable safety violations, and reorganizing the fee schedule for clarity. These updates are intended to improve safety, increase compliance, strengthen deterrence, respond to community concerns, and ensure the fee structure is consistent and easy to understand.
• The Alameda Fire Department (AFD) is proposing an 8.92% increase to most fees as part of the 7-year plan approved by City Council in May 2024 to move toward full cost recovery. These adjustments reflect both inflation (percentage change in the Consumers Price Index of 2.5% and a continued “catch-up” of 6.42%.
• The Planning, Building, and Transportation Department is proposing updates to improve clarity and consistency in its fee schedule. Most changes are administrative, with fees largely remaining the same except for a standard 2.5% cost-of-living adjustment. Additional updates include clarifying when certain fees apply, adding a deposit for unpermitted work cases, and supporting business activity by allowing flexibility to waive certain fees.
• Alameda Recreation & Parks Department (ARPD) fee increases that were previously adopted in December 2025, took effect January 1, 2026, to support recreation programming timelines.
Staff recommends that City Council adopt the proposed MFS for Fiscal Year (FY) 2026-27 (Exhibit 1) to ensure ongoing fiscal sustainability, transparency, and alignment with City priorities and legal requirements. This MFS does not include City Attorney Fees (City Attorney’s Office and Rent Program) as these fees have been separated into their own agenda item.
BACKGROUND
On January 22, 1992, City Council adopted Resolution No. 12191, codifying all fees for services and linking the rate at which the City’s fee schedule may be increased to the Consumer Price Index for the San Francisco Bay Area (CPI). Subsequently, each year, via resolution and public hearing, the fee structure is revised and updated to streamline fee collection.
On October 3, 2006, City Council approved Resolution No. 14027, Amending MFS Resolution No. 12191 to Revise and Streamline the Planning & Building, Public Works, and AFD Fee Schedules to allow for 100% cost recovery.
The Bureau of Labor Statistics announced the percentage change in the Consumer Price Index (CPI) as 2.5% for the FY 2025-26. Based on Resolution No. 12191, the eligible fees in the MFS would be increased in accordance with the percentage change in the CPI. However, pursuant to Ordinance No. 1928, as referenced in Resolution No. 12191 and Resolution No. 14027, City fees are subject to administrative adjustments not greater than 5% annually. Therefore, eligible fees across all departments in the MFS were increased by 2.5% based on the percentage change in the CPI.
The California Department of General Services announced the California Construction Cost Index (CCCI) for the San Francisco Bay Area as -0.5% for FY 2025-26. Based on the fee escalator provisions of AMC Sections 27-3.12, 27-4.12, and 27-1.10, Affordable Housing Unit Fees and Development Impact Fees (DIF) will not be increased this year.
City Council approved the fees for the Alameda Recreation and Park Department (ARPD) in December 2025 and February 2026, and they are included in the proposed schedule without changes.
In April 2026, the Alameda County Board of Supervisors approved higher ambulance billing fees under its authority to set Emergency Medical Services (EMS) rates. These changes, effective July 1, 2026, require the City to update its ambulance fees accordingly.
DISCUSSION
Library
The Library is eliminating outdated fees related to its discontinued laptop lending program. It has also converted the Family Study Room into a Large Group Study Room, which is now free to reserve, removing a financial barrier to community use.
To balance the loss of these fees and maintain cost recovery, the Library is proposing small increases to Stafford Room rental fees:
• +$25 for Alameda non-profits
• +$50 for Alameda public groups
• +$50 for regional or national non-profits
Overall, these updates improve access to library spaces while making sure the City continues to recover a portion of its operating costs in a reasonable and fair way.
Public Works
The proposed updates focus on improving safety, ensuring consistent enforcement, and clarifying the City’s parking regulations.
New Parking Citation Fees
Public Works is proposing four new citation categories to address gaps in enforcement where violations are occurring but are not currently codified:
• Disabled Space - Cross Hatch ($353 fine): Establishes enforcement for blocking access areas adjacent to designated ADA spaces.
• Angled Parking ($77 fine): Addresses improper use of angled parking spaces.
• Parking in Designated Turn-Out Areas ($47 fine): Supports enforcement of posted maintenance and emergency-use parking areas.
• Two- or Three-Wheeled Vehicle Parking ($47 fine): Ensures proper use of designated motorcycle parking spaces, addressing ongoing misuse complaints.
Each of these proposed fees aligns with provisions in the AMC and/or the California Vehicle Code to ensure consistency and fairness.
Adjustments to Existing Fees
Seven existing parking citation fees are proposed for an increase to better align with similar safety-related violations and applicable codes. These include violations such as; double parking, red curb parking, parking too far from the curb, intersection visibility and oversized vehicle restrictions. The proposed adjustments ensure consistency across similar violations and reinforce compliance with safety regulations.
Code Enforcement and Cost Alignment
Several updates are also being made to improve clarity and alignment with the AMC, including clarifying violation descriptions and standardizing late penalties.
Reorganization of Fee Structure
To improve usability, parking citation fees will be reorganized into two sections:
• Citations enforced by Public Works
• Citations enforced by the Alameda Police Department
This change will make the fee schedule easier for the public to navigate and understand.
Overall, these updates modernize the City’s parking citation structure, improve enforcement, address community concerns, and promote safer, more accessible streets.
Fire Department
The proposed fee updates are part of a City Council-approved, multi-year strategy to bring AFD fees closer to full cost recovery.
Historically, Fire fees have not kept up with the actual cost of providing services. In response, City Council approved a phased, seven-year approach to gradually increase fees rather than implementing a single large adjustment.
For this fiscal year, most AFD fees are proposed to increase by 8.92%, which includes:
• A 2.5% CPI adjustment to account for inflation
• A 6.42% cost recovery increase to continue closing the gap between fees and actual service costs
This follows a similar adjustment in the prior year and maintains consistency with the adopted plan.
Exceptions to the increase:
• Fees #34, #35, and #49 will only increase by 2.5%.
• EMS transport fees are not set by the City. These fees are established by the Alameda County Emergency Medical Services Agency and approved annually by the Alameda County Board of Supervisors, allowing cities to adopt them in alignment with what the county's contracted private ambulance provider is authorized to recover. (See Exhibit 4).
Consistent with the City's goal of equitable service delivery, AFD maintains a policy to provide EMS services at no cost to the patient under specific conditions, including:
• Patient assist only, with no medical care provided (e.g., helping someone back into bed).
• Calls made by someone other than the patient, and the patient refuses medical treatment.
• In cases of deceased on arrival (DOA), households will not be held responsible for balances after insurance resolution.
• When law enforcement requests EMS services for victims of violent crime.
Additionally, AFD has a comprehensive financial hardship policy that supports individuals who lack the funds to cover costs associated with EMS provided by the City.
Overall, these increases continue the City’s effort to align AFD fees with the actual cost of providing services, while implementing changes gradually and predictably to minimize impacts on the community.
Planning, Building, and Transportation (PBT) Department
The proposed updates are primarily intended to make the fee schedule easier to understand and more consistent for applicants. Several clarifications are being added, including:
• Noting that some Planning applications may also require review by Public Works, with separate applicable fees
• Clarifying that the Technology Fee applies to all activity fees
• Explaining when the Sign Permit Planning fee applies
• Aligning the Housing and Building Code Appeals Board fee with the standard Planning appeal fee
To address the added workload from projects completed without permits, the PBT Department is proposing a new deposit requirement to cover staff time for inspections and investigations. This deposit would be set equal to the applicable building permit fees.
To support local economic activity, staff is also recommending continued authorization for the Planning Director to waive Zoning Clearance fees for new businesses in Alameda.
Finally, the PBT Department is developing an “Instant Permit” track that allows certain permits to be issued more expeditiously, with fees based on the established hourly rate.
Aside from these updates, all other PBT Department and Code Enforcement fees remain unchanged, except for a standard 2.5% adjustment for inflation.
ALTERNATIVES
• Adopt the proposed MFS. This would ensure City fees stay on par with the current market, allowing the City to address inflation impacts and keep up with rising costs while continuing to provide essential services to the community.
• Adjust specific fees when adopting the MFS. Any fee reductions would impact the FY 2026-27 budget as proposed and described above.
• Do not increase the fees as proposed in the MFS. This would negatively impact the FY 2026-27 budget as proposed by reducing anticipated revenues.
FINANCIAL IMPACT
The proposed MFS updates are expected to result in a modest increase in revenues, while primarily advancing the City’s Budget Sustainability Initiative by improving cost recovery and aligning fees with the actual cost of services.
The most significant fiscal impact is AFD ambulance fees, where fee increases continue a City Council-approved, multi-year cost recovery strategy. These fees are predominantly paid by MediCal, MediCare and private insurance. These fee adjustments will help reduce reliance on General Fund subsidies over time.
Overall, these updates support long-term fiscal sustainability by ensuring fees are fair, transparent, and more closely aligned with service costs, while avoiding sudden financial impacts on the community.
The projected revenues from the fees outlined in the MFS were included in the proposed Biennial Budget for FY 2025-27.
MUNICIPAL CODE/POLICY DOCUMENT CROSS REFERENCE
All other sections of the AMC dealing with this subject matter have been thoroughly analyzed and found to be compatible with the proposed amendment to the AMC. This action is consistent with the Strategic Plan action to Practice Fiscally Responsible, Equitable and Inclusive Governance.
CLIMATE IMPACT
There are no climate impacts from revising the MFS. The proposed fee schedule includes keeping certain permit fees related to electrification affordable to further Climate Action and Resiliency Plan goals.
ENVIRONMENTAL REVIEW
Adoption of a revised fee schedule is a governmental fiscal function and not subject to environmental review in that it is not a "project" as defined by CEQA. Pursuant to CEQA Guidelines section 15378(b)(4), a "project" does not include the creation of governmental funding mechanisms or other governmental fiscal activities which do not involve any commitment to any specific project that may result in a potentially significant physical impact on the environment.
RECOMMENDATION
Hold a public hearing and adopt a resolution to amend Master Fee Resolution No. 12191 to add and revise fees on the Master Fee Schedule.
Respectfully submitted,
Adam Politzer, Interim City Manager
By,
Carlos Figueroa, Senior Financial Analyst, Finance Department
Oscar Davalos, Building Official, Planning, Building, and Transportation Department
Erin Smith, Public Works Director
Nicholas Luby, Fire Chief
Marlon Romero, Acting Library Director
Financial Impact section reviewed,
Ross McCarthy, Finance Director
Exhibits:
1. Proposed 2026-2027 Master Fee Schedule excluding City Attorney Fees
2. Proposed 2026-2027 Master Fee Schedule excluding City Attorney Fees - REDLINE
3. Current 2025-2026 Master Fee Schedule
4. Alameda County EMS Agency Updated User Fees