Title
Public Hearing to Consider Adoption of Resolution Amending Master Fee Resolution No. 12191 to Make Clerical and Administrative Corrections to the Fee Schedule for the Planning Division and Public Works Department. (Finance 10024051)
Body
To: Honorable Mayor and Members of the City Council
From: Jennifer Ott, City Manager
EXECUTIVE SUMMARY
Staff is recommending the City Council approve corrections to 12 Planning fee deposit items and 1 (one) Public Works Department fee that were adopted on June 3, 2025 as part of the Master Fee Resolution.
BACKGROUND
On June 3, 2025, City Council adopted a resolution amending Master Fee Resolution No. 12191 to update fees for Fiscal Year 2025-26. After the fees were adopted, staff discovered errors in 12 fee items where dollar amounts due to formatting errors when converting the original Excel spreadsheet to PDF files. These fees are uncommon Planning fees pertaining to advanced planning activities such as General Plan amendments, rezonings, and Historic Monument designations that do not affect everyday permits. Additionally, a Public Works fee was also impacted. Staff recommends City Council adopt a resolution to amend the fee schedule (relevant excerpt in Exhibits 1 and 2).
DISCUSSION
The subject fees pertain specifically to time and material (T&M) deposit amounts for 12 Planning-related items. These deposits are required for advanced planning services such as General Plan amendments, rezonings, and historic monument designations, where staff time costs are billed against the deposit on an actual cost basis. While these types of applications are relatively uncommon, accurate deposit amounts are important to ensure adequate cost recovery.
The incorrect deposit amounts were caused by a formatting error that occurred when converting the original Excel spreadsheet into a PDF for inclusion in the Master Fee Resolution. During this process, some numerical values were either distorted or replaced, resulting in deposit amounts that appeared as blank or negative numbers. This error also impacted the associated administrative fee calculations. While the correct figures were included in the User Fee Study exhibit reviewed by the City Council, staff recommends re-adoption of the corrected Planning fee schedule to ensure full transparency.
The Public Works Department fee, Fee #9, pertains to Parking Sign Meter fees. This fee, which has been included in the Master Fee Schedule for many years, was omitted due to the same conversion formatting error that impacted the Planning Division. (Exhibit 2).Staff reviewed the remainder of the Planning fee schedule and confirmed that all other fees were unaffected. The revised fee schedule with corrected deposit amounts is included for City Council resolution for consideration and adoption.
ALTERNATIVES
• Adopt the revised deposit amounts as recommended by staff.
• Modify the proposed deposit amounts and adopt with changes.
• Provide alternative direction to staff.
FINANCIAL IMPACT
The fees affected consist primarily of Time and Materials deposit amounts for Planning applications. Revenues are collected in a special revenue fund (Fund 209 Planning and Building) and do not impact the General Fund. Adopting the new fee schedule allows for full cost recovery of planning and building activities.
MUNICIPAL CODE/POLICY DOCUMENT CROSS REFERENCE
This action is consistent with the Alameda Municipal Code and the City’s Strategic Plan action to Practice Fiscally Responsible, Equitable & Inclusive Governance.
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 California Environmental Quality Act (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.
CLIMATE IMPACT
There are no identifiable climate impacts or climate action opportunities associated with the subject of this report.
RECOMMENDATION
Adopt a resolution to amend Master Fee Resolution No. 12191 to correct certain Planning and Public Works fees in the Master Fee Schedule.
Respectfully submitted,
Ross McCarthy, Finance Director
By,
Carlos Figueroa, Senior Financial Analyst
Exhibits:
1. Excerpt from Adopted Master Fee Schedule with Planning Department Errors Highlighted
2. Excerpt from Adopted Master Fee Schedule with Public Works Error Highlighted
cc: Allen Tai, Planning, Building, and Transportation Director