City of Alexandria, Virginia
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MEMORANDUM
DATE: JUNE 6, 2018
TO: THE HONORABLE MAYOR AND MEMBERS OF CITY COUNCIL
FROM: MARK B. JINKS, CITY MANAGER /s/
DOCKET TITLE:
TITLE
Introduction and First Reading. Consideration. Passage on First Reading of an Ordinance to Amend Section 4-2-21 (CHANGES IN VIRGINIA STATEWIDE FIRE PREVENTION CODE) of Article B (FIRE PREVENTION) of Chapter 2 (FIRE PROTECTION AND PREVENTION) of Title 4 (PUBLIC SAFETY) of the Code of the City of Alexandria, Virginia, 1981, as amended.
BODY
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ISSUE: An Ordinance to revise the Fire Department Fire Prevention Permit Fee Schedule.
RECOMMENDATION: That City Council pass the proposed ordinance (Attachment 2) increasing the Fire Prevention Permit (FPP) fee schedule on first reading on June 13, 2018 and schedule it for second reading, public hearing and final passage on June 23, 2018.
BACKGROUND: This memorandum provides information regarding a proposed Fire Department fee increase for FY 2019. The fee increase is projected to bring in an additional $50,000 in revenue for the City in FY 2019. The new fees will be effective July 1, 2018.
DISCUSSION: This proposed fee increase was included as part of the FY 2019 Adopted Budget and was an item submitted during the Add/Delete process to provide funding for the additional part-time Fire FTE included in the FY 2019 City Manager’s Proposed Budget. The purpose of adding part-time Fire FTE staffing was to help the Fire Department reduce the backlog of fire prevention permit inspections. To achieve this funding, staff proposes an approximate 5% increase to each of the Fire Department Fire Prevention Permit (FPP) fees as listed in Table 107.2 of City Code Section 4-2-21. These fee increases will raise the average cost of an FPP fee from $200 to $210; these fees were last increased in FY 2014. These fee increases would narrow the gap between the FY 2019 budgeted cost of services provided and recovery of those costs. The original thinking was to just raise the FPP Initial Inspection Fee, but that would have not raised the necessary $50,000. Instead all fee rates including hourly rates such as for reinspections are proposed to be raised about 5%.
FPP inspections may be required both during the development and post-development phases of a project. FPP inspections may be required during development either at the beginning, end, or throughout the project for processes such as cutting and welding, hot work, asphalt kettles, and the storage and use of hazardous materials including, for example, temporary fuel tanks and propane cylinders on construction sites. FPP inspections required for post development work are normally maintenance-related and are required to maintain a specific use of a building (assembly or educational) or to regulate the storage and use of hazardous materials or hazardous processes.
FISCAL IMPACT: Increasing the Fire Department FPP fees by 5% is projected to generate approximately $50,000 in additional General Fund revenue each year.
ATTACHMENTS:
Attachment 1 - Ordinance Cover
Attachment 2 - Ordinance
STAFF:
Laura Triggs, Deputy City Manager
Morgan Routt, Director, Office of Management & Budget
Corey Smedley, Deputy Chief, Fire Department