AGENDA #6c

 

MEMORANDUM

 

TO:                  Mayor and Town Council

 

FROM:            W. Calvin Horton, Town Manager

 

SUBJECT:       User Fee Schedules and Policies

 

DATE:             June 27, 2005

 

 

The attached resolution would approve user fee policies, fee schedules, and facility use policies for various Town services and facilities as previously discussed by the Council.  Proposed changes for 2005-06 are summarized below.  See Attachment 1 for more detail.  Also attached are copies of the proposed policies and fee schedules for each department for 2005-06 (see Attachment 2). 

 

For several departments including Town Clerk, Fire and Police, we propose no changes in fees or policies for fiscal year 2005-06.  Recommended changes for other departments are as discussed below.

 

Recommended Changes in the Engineering Department Fees

 

We propose implementing new fees and increasing existing fees to recover costs of providing specific products and services as noted below: 

 

• Increase current charge for cemetery burial and cremation plots.
• Implement new fees for cemetery plot and monument staking services.
• Implement new fees for approval and inspection of lane and street closures.
• Implement a new fee for review of Traffic Impact Analysis exemption requests.
• Implement a re-inspection fee for driveway inspection permits.
• Increase current charges for sale of GIS data and products.
• Implement a new fee for processing address change requests.

 

The proposed cemetery plot charges and service fees are comparable to those at other public cemeteries in the piedmont region of North Carolina.

 

The proposed new fees for review and inspection of work zone traffic control plans and review of requests for Traffic Impact Analysis exemptions would allow the Town to recover costs incurred for review and inspection of development and construction activities that affect public streets and rights-of-way.

 

Recommended Changes in the Finance Department Fees

 

We propose implementing new fees and increasing existing fees as follows:

 

• Monthly Rate Increase - Based on a survey of several local facilities, the average monthly parking for a leased space is $85 per space.  It is our recommendation that the monthly rental fee be increased from $80 to $85.  We believe that this increase will generate additional revenues of $15,700 per year.

 

• Special Event Parking - On average, we provide monitoring for approximately 12 special events per year, with an attendant on duty five hours per event.  We recommend establishing a fee of $30 per hour for monitoring services for small events, with a three-hour minimum charge for each monitor assigned.

 

• Administrative Fee for On-Street Dumpster Storage - Implement a new administrative fee for a dumpster permit at a charge of $10.00.

 

• Administrative Fee for Lost Tickets – Implement a new administrative fee for lost tickets at the staffed facilities for a charge of $20.00 per lost ticket.

 

Recommended Changes in the Inspection Department Fees

 

To recover 100% of the Inspections Department estimated budget expenditures we recommend increasing permit fees for building, electrical, plumbing and mechanical permits by about 11%.  In addition, we also recommend that new fees be established to reimburse the Town for the costs of providing the following services:

 

·        Change of Contractor

·        Change of Occupancy

·        Temporary Certificate of Occupancy

·        Occupancy Reposting (new placard)

·        Day Care Facilities Inspection

·        Demolition Permit

·        Stocking Permit

·        Plan Review

 

Recommended Changes in the Library Department Fees

 

We recommend a $10.00 increase in non-resident fees.

 

Recommended Changes in the Parks and Recreation Department Fees

 

There are several changes recommended in the 2005-06 Town of Chapel Hill Parks and Recreation User Fee Policy. All changes have been included in the Manager’s Recommended Budget:

 

• Proposed rental rates for athletic playing fields would be raised:

 

            A fee of $20 per hour, per field, will be required for daytime reservations.

 

            A fee of $40 per hour, per field, will be required for evening reservations involving the use of ballfield lights.

 

·        Proposed rental rates for gymnasiums would be raised:

 

Gymnasiums may be rented for $50 per hour, and rentals are limited to a three-hour period.  Rental of the Northside Gymnasium at the Hargraves Center for non-athletic events is acceptable with payment of an additional flat fee of $70 per rental.

 

·        Include a $3 administrative charge to all program and activity fees to pay for criminal background checks for Parks & Recreation Department personnel.

 

Recommended Changes in Planning Department Fees

 

• Increase fees by approximately 10-25% across the board.

 

• Increase the fee cap for large applications, from the current $60,000 maximum fee to a $75,000 maximum fee.

 

• Eliminate the 50% reduction provision for applications from Places of Worship and Nonprofit Organizations.

 

• Provide a fee waiver for applications from a Nonprofit Organization that proposes 100% affordable housing.

 

Recommended Changes in Public Works Department Fees

 

We propose implementing new fees and increasing existing fees as follows:

 

• Increase fees for compactor services.
• Increase fees 10% for garbage services.
• Increase fees for rental of yard waste containers.
• All properties are charged for garbage services, except basic service charges for apartments and multi-family units.

 

Recommended Changes in the Transportation Department Fees

 

We propose an increase to the bus card advertising rates.

 

RECOMMENDATION

 

That the Council adopt the attached resolution establishing the 2005-06 user fee policy.

 

ATTACHMENTS

 

1.      Proposed Fee Changes (p. 6)

2.      User Fee Policies, 2005-2006

Town Clerk’s Office (p. 13).

Engineering Department Fee Policy (p. 14).

Finance Department Parking Fee Policies (p. 16).

Fire Department Fee Schedule (p. 20).

Inspections Schedule of Permit Fees (p. 26).

Inspections Building Permit Fee Schedule (p. 29).

Public Library Fee Policy (p. 33).

Parks and Recreation Department User Fee Policy (p. 34).

Planning Department Development Review Fees (p. 49).

Police Department Fee Policy (p. 52).

Public Works Fee Policy (p. 53).

Transportation Department User Fee Policy (p. 55).

 

A RESOLUTION ADOPTING USER FEE POLICIES AND SCHEDULES FOR VARIOUS TOWN DEPARTMENTS (2005-06-27/R-14)

 

BE IT RESOLVED by the Council of the Town of Chapel Hill that the Council hereby adopts, effective July 1, 2005, the attached user fee policies and schedules as submitted by the Town Manager on June 27, 2005:

 

Town Clerk – Fee Schedule

 

Engineering –Fee Policy, including Municipal Cemetery Fees

 

Finance – Parking Fee Policies

 

Fire – Fee Schedule

 

Inspections –    Building Permit Fees

                        Miscellaneous Permit Fees

                        Electrical Permit Fees

                        Mechanical and Plumbing Permit Fees

 

Library – Fee Policy

 

Parks and Recreation – User Fees Policy

 

Planning – Development Review Fees

 

Police – Fee Policy

 

Public Works –   Field Operations Street Cut Fee Policy

                           Solid Waste Services Fee Policy

 

Transportation – General Policy

 

 

This the 27^th day of June, 2005.