Title
Public Hearing to Consider Adoption of Resolution Amending Master Fee Resolution No. 12191 to Add New and to Revise Existing Planning, Building and Public Works Fees. (Building 481001 and Public Works 4210310)
Body
To: Honorable Mayor and Members of the City Council
From: Amy Wooldridge, Interim City Manager
EXECUTIVE SUMMARY
The City of Alameda (City) contracted with NBS Government Finance Group, Inc. (NBS) to conduct a detailed cost of services study of user fee activities for the Planning, Building and Transportation Department and the Public Works Department. The primary purpose for conducting this study was to ensure that existing fees, which were adopted in 2013, do not exceed the costs of service and to provide an opportunity for the City to adjust fees to better align them with the adopted cost recovery policies.
The cost of service analysis of Planning, Building and Transportation Department and the Public Works Department services indicates that fees currently being charged are not adequate to capture the actual costs of the services provided. In response, the Planning, Building and Transportation Department and the Public Works Department are recommending that various fees be adjusted to ensure full cost recovery for permit services.
BACKGROUND
California cities are permitted by State law to impose user fees for services and regulatory activities they provide. User fee activities include those services and functions the City provides to individuals who receive a direct or personal material benefit from the services, while regulatory fees are those imposed to recover costs associated with the City's power to govern certain activities such as development and construction. Per State law, fees may not exceed the estimated and reasonable cost of providing the service or performing the activity.
The current Public Works, and Planning, Building and Transportation fees were adopted after preparation of a fee study in 2013. Since 201...
Click here for full text