City Council
Special Meeting - 1:00 P.M.
March 9, 2023
PAGE 1
CITY OF CARSON
MINUTES
CARSON CITY COUNCIL
SPECIAL MEETING
MARCH 9, 2023
1:00 P.M.
CALL TO ORDER:
The meeting was called to order at 1:11 P.M. by Mayor Lula Davis-Holmes in the Helen Kawagoe Council Chambers, Carson City Hall, located at 701 E. Carson Street, Carson, California 90745.
ROLL CALL:
City Clerk, Dr. Khaleah K. Bradshaw noted the roll:
Council Members Present:
Mayor Lula Davis-Holmes, Mayor Pro Tempore Jawane Hilton, Council Member Jim Dear, and Council Member Cedric Hicks
Council Members Absent:
Council Member Arleen Rojas (Excused)
Also Present:
John Raymond, Assistant City Manager; Robert Lennox, Assistant City Manager; Tarik Rahmani, Deputy City Manager; and Saied Naaseh, Director of Community Development
FLAG SALUTE:
Council Member Dear led the Pledge of Allegiance.
INVOCATION:
Mayor Pro Tempore Hilton gave the invocation.
ORAL COMMUNICATIONS FOR MATTERS LISTED ON THE AGENDA (MEMBERS OF THE PUBLIC) (LIMITED TO ONE HOUR) – None.
DISCUSSION (Item 1)
Item No. 2023-0195 CITYWIDE USER FEE STUDY UPDATE - FEE
RECOMMENDATIONS
City Council
Special Meeting - 1:00 P.M.
March 9, 2023
PAGE 2
Revenue Manager Cristine Gaiennie noted that she and Deputy City Manager Rahmani have been working with RCS Consultants and departments in identifying fees charge for City services.
She stated t oday’s presentation will focus on fees associated with Community Development, Building and Safety, Administration, and Public Works. In April aiming to have a second meeting that will solely discuss Community Services. The goal is to adopt the fees by the end of the fiscal year and schedule a Public Hearing in the near future. She introduced RCS Cons ultants Eric Johnson and Chu Tai who are conducting the survey.
Eric Johnson, President, Revenue & Cost Specialists (RCS) Stated the purpose of the workshop is to get feedback from the City Council on what direction to move forward with fees so staff can come back with a fee resolution and have a public hearing in the future. He gave a background about RCS and PowerPoint presentation on the Comprehensive Study, Carson Fee Update Timeline, Thorough Process, What Have We Done, Methodology, Purpose of Study, Voter-Enacted Propositions, Tax v. Fee, Fees (Regulatory vs.
Voluntary), Matching Revenues to Costs, Annual Subsidy, and Subsidies vs. New Revenues.
Chu Tai, Vice President, Revenue & Cost Specialists (RCS) Offered comments during the Subsidies vs. New Revenues Slide of the PowerPoint presentation and recommended that the City Council work on updating the fee structure.
Eric Johnson continued with the Po werPoint presentation on Why Have the Costs of Some Services Increased So Much and Final Tax Subsidy Decision.
(Mayor Pro Tempore Hilton exited the meeting at 1:43 P.M.)
The consultants recommend ed full cost recovery but the City Council recommended that the fees with increases be phased in over a two year period. Deputy City Manager Rahmani and the consultants stated they will come back with data to show as the Mayor and City C ouncil requested.
(Mayor Pro Tempore Hilton reentered the meeting at 2:13 P.M.)
Deputy City Manager Rahmani also mentioned that there will be a separate meeting to discuss Community Services fees which will be a public hearing.
The Mayor and City Council discussed not increasing fees that impact small businesses and home businesses versus large businesses.
City Manager Roberts , Jr. mentioned that the fireworks fee is being recommended to be increased from $25 to $60 but Mayor Davis-Holmes decided that the fee should remain the same with no objection heard.
Discussion ensued regarding the fireworks permit process.
Recommendation: 1. PROVIDE direction to staff on any department fee analysis line item.
2. APPROVE the fee study and direct staff to establish a public hearing and adoption of documented fees at a future City Council meeting.
City Council
Special Meeting - 1:00 P.M.
March 9, 2023
PAGE 3
ACTION: Staff and consultants gave presentation. Mayor and City Council discussed their concerns about not increasing fees impacting the residents and small businesses. Staff and consultants to come back with data as requested by the Mayor and City Council.
ADJOURNMENT
The meeting was adjourned at 2:23 P.M. by Mayor Davis-Holmes.
____________________________________
Lula Davis-Holmes
Mayor
ATTEST:
____________________________________
Dr. Khaleah K. Bradshaw
City Clerk
APPROVED BY CARSON
CITY COUNCIL/SUCCESSOR AGENCY/
HOUSING AUTHORITY
04-18-2023
Approved as Submitted. JD/CH 5/0