DATE:
July 19, 2022
TO:
Mayor and Council Members
Chair and Board Members, Hesperia Water District
Chair and Board Members, Hesperia Housing Authority
Chair and Board Members, Hesperia Community Development Commission FROM:
Nils Bentsen, City Manager
BY:
Melinda Sayre, Director of Government Services/ City Clerk Jacquelyn Castillo, Administrative Analyst
SUBJECT:
Joint Resolution Amending the City-Wide Fee Schedule
RECOMMENDED ACTION
It is recommended that the City Council and respective Boards adopt Joint Resolution No. 2022-28, Resolution No. HWD 2022-03, Resolution No. HHA 2022-01, and Resolution No. CDC 2022-01, amending the City-Wide fee schedule related to third-party haulers, towing services, animal control services, fire services, and engineering services.
BACKGROUND
On October 4, 2016, the City Council approved amendments to the City-Wide Fee Schedule related to several Senate Bills (SB 1473, SB 1186) and DUI Emergency Cost Recovery.
On December 6, 2016, the City Council approved amendments to the City-Wide Fee Schedule. These amendments included an attachment related to the fees charged for Fire Services, commonly known to the fee schedule as Appendix “B”.
On October 3, 2017, the City Council approved amendments to the City-Wide Fee Schedule. These fees included changes to Engineering fees, water meter costs, Planning and Building and Safety fees, and new hourly rates for costs reasonably borne.
On January 16, 2018, the City Council approved an amendment to the City-Wide Fee Schedule related to plan review for on-site grading for Engineering.
On April 17, 2018, the City Council approved an amendment to the City-Wide Fee Schedule related to fees charged during real estate transactions.
On August 21, 2018, the City Council approved an amendment to the City-Wide Fee Schedule authorizing fees related to oversize vehicle parking and adopting the San Bernardino County Fire Protection District Fee Schedule in correspondence with the Fire District Annexation.
On December 18, 2018, the City Council approved an amendment to the City-Wide Fee Schedule related to fees for Sidewalk Vending permits.
On November 19, 2020, the City Council approved an amendment to the City-Wide Fee Schedule related to the cost of water supplemental fees.
On March 17, 2020, the City Council approved an amendment to the City-Wide Fee Schedule related to Stormwater fees, Planning Fees, Engineering Fees and Supplemental Water Charges.
On January 5, 2021, the City Council approved an amendment to the City-Wide Fee Schedule related to the commercial parking permit fees and business license fees for residential rental properties.
On August 17, 2021, the City Council approved an amendment to the City-Wide Fee Schedule related to the fees for the Commercial Truck Parking program and amending fees for services provided by the Development Services Department.
On October 19, 2021, the City Council approved an amendment to the City-Wide Fee Schedule related to the fees for the Deemed Approved Program and the Tobacco Retailer License Program.
ISSUES/ANALYSIS
Staff reviews the City Fee Schedule on an annual basis and as needed during each Fiscal Year to ensure that cost recovery is being achieved and the fees are still appropriate for the services provided. The following fee schedule revisions are recommended:
Third Party-Hauler Fees
As City Council adopted a Third-Party Hauler permit fee in the amount of $100 to track organic waste disposal activities to comply with CalRecycle reporting requirements, staff recommends implementing an annual renewal fee in the amount of $100.00 as there is currently no fee to recover costs for annual administration of the permit renewal process and compliance monitoring.
Tow Fee
On July 7, 1994, the City Council adopted Resolution No. 94-79 establishing a reimbursement policy for certain special Public Safety related services. Included in the resolution is a $50 Stored Vehicle Release Fee (aka Tow Fee). Staff determined the actual time spent on a tow to be $166.77 (10 minutes for a Sergeant for oversight; 1 hour for Deputy call and report; 1 hour for Office Assistant to prepare paperwork, process, and release), and recommends increasing the fee to $150.
Animal Control Service Fees
Staff recommends updating Animal Control’s Return to Owner fees for X-rays, Bloodwork and Intravenous fluids (that may be applicable to health compromised animals) to align with Hesperia Veterinary Service fees. The City provides full compensation for services provided by the consultant. As these fees are the responsibility of the owner, it is necessary to increase the fees to fully recover costs for services rendered. Staff recommends updating fees for X-rays from $50 to $110, Bloodwork from $50 to $70, and adding a new fee for Intravenous fluids for $40. If the fee increase is not adopted, the City will continue to fund the gap between the current fee being charged and the fee charged by the Veterinary services contracted by the City.
Fire Services
Fire Service Connection charges are applicable to all new construction where fire service is to be installed. Fire service connection fees are buy-in fees used to recover the cost of existing reservoir storage and water system capacity for private fire systems. Due to the growth of industrial commerce within the City, the need for a 12-inch fire service has become more applicable. Staff recommends implementing a fire service facilities fee in the amount of $28,104 for a 12-inch fire service installation.
Engineering Fees
The Engineering Department is responsible for the review of all plans for new industrial projects. Due to the growth of industrial commerce within the City, staff has seen an influx of large industrial projects that will have the need to design and build large quantities of utilities onsite. These utilities are plan checked with the civil improvement plans separate from the offsite improvements. Staff recommends implementing a fee for Industrial Onsite Utility Plans in the amount of $1,732 per sheet to recover costs related to these types of plan reviews.
FISCAL IMPACT
Adoption of this resolution will allow the City to continue to collect fees that adequately recover costs based on services provided.
ALTERNATIVE(S)
Provide alternative direction to staff.
ATTACHMENT(S)
Joint Resolution No. 2022-28, Resolution No. HWD 2022-03, Resolution No. HHA 2022-01, Resolution No. HCDC 2022-01, amending the City-Wide fee schedule Exhibit A – City Fee Schedule
Exhibit B – City Fee Schedule with Tracked Changes
Page PAGE 3 of NUMPAGES 3
Staff Report to the City Council
Adopt Joint Resolution Amending the City-Wide Fee Schedule July 19, 2022
City of Hesperia
STAFF REPORT