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documented the average number of hours for providing certain services and identified <br />defensible fees. It is this model that staff is using to revise existing fees and to <br />calculate the amount of new fees. <br /> <br />At a February 27, 2017 Study Session where the proposed fees were discussed, the <br />City Council expressed interest in minimizing the impact of fees to homeowners and <br />small businesses while also recovering costs. Staff then made adjustments reflecting <br />that directive which culminated in City Council’s adoption of certain Community <br />Development and Fire Department-related fees on May 8, 2017. The new fees went <br />into effect on July 22, 2017. Since that time, staff has identified certain changes and <br />additions that should be made to Community Development and Fire Department fees. <br /> <br />ANALYSIS <br />Staff recommends that the City Council amend certain existing fees, adopt certain <br />new fees, and adopt certain ordinances for several reasons: <br /> <br />· Following the adoption of the fees in May 2017, staff has observed <br />opportunities to improve processes and restructure certain fees to recover <br />costs and minimize impacts to property owners and small businesses. <br /> <br />· Several fees were not included in the May 2017 adoption, but later identified as <br />necessary. <br /> <br />· Elimination of the Mills Act 5-Year Inspection Fee could further encourage the <br />rehabilitation of historic properties. <br /> <br />· It is desirable to amend the Municipal Code to allow for code enforcement- <br />related cost recovery <br /> <br />· It is desirable to adopt an ordinance to allow the City Council the discretion to <br />authorize deferrals of fee payments related to development projects as long as <br />fees are fully paid prior to issuance of a certificate of occupancy. <br /> <br />Proposed Fee Adjustments <br />After the fees were adopted in May 2017, staff continued to improve certain services, <br />where possible. The improvements include a reduction in staff review time or new <br />categories where flat fees could be applied. The improvements led staff to consider <br />revisions to fees. Finally, staff considered recent State regulations regarding accessory <br />dwelling units (ADUs) and photovoltaic solar systems requiring local agencies to create <br />fees that are not arbitrary, excessive, or burdensome. The following fees reflect <br />7.A. - Page 2