Memorandum 16-175 Amendments to Fee Schedule

Memorandum 16-175

TO:                       MAYOR ZAK AND HOMER CITY COUNCIL

FROM:                 JO JOHNSON, CITY CLERK

DATE:                  OCTOBER 19, 2016

SUBJECT:         AMENDMENTS TO FEE SCHEDULE

There are amendments to the City of Homer Fee Schedule under Administrative, Camping, Library, Planning and Zoning, Fire, and Public Works. Explanations for these amendments in each department follow.

Administrative – It is necessary to update the language pertaining to Special Assessment Districts due to this year’s revision in the allocation method of street reconstruction and new street construction. The language is consistent with Resolution 16-041(S-2)(A) adopted by Council in May to change the allocation of costs for street improvements to make them consistent with water and sewer assessments.

Camping – Despite a minimal fee increase in FY 2016, camping on the world famous Homer Spit is still amongst the cheapest tent camping of all the municipalities on the Peninsula. Fees for City-owned RV sites are possibly the cheapest of any surrounding community; and may even be less than State Park fees. The proposed 20% increase in camping fees could generate an additional $30,000 a year. This revenue could pay for increased labor and materials to address deferred campground and park maintenance, or fund reserve accounts.

Library – Currently there are two kinds of temporary library cards for people who do not live in the service area, and for people who will only be here for a short period of time. The fees and number of items allowed for check-out are different for the temporary cards; one of the temporary cards offers a refunded fee. This causes an unwelcome burden on staff and the Finance Department with refunding the fees. The amendment will provide for one fee for a temporary card with no refund. 

Planning and Zoning – The fee section pertaining to right-of-way permit and driveway permit fees is removed and transferred to Public Works who handles both of these permits.

Fire – Amendments to ambulance fees were recommended by Amerik, the company we have contracted with for ambulance billing. The fee structure for both residents and non-residents helps capture additional revenue from users that do not contribute to the service through property tax or annual contract. The load mileage rate is increased from $12 to $15 per mile. This is the one way rate charged between the location where the patient is picked up, to their destination.

Increases to the Basic Life Support (BLS) (non-emergency transport call) and the Advanced Life Support (ALS) calls were made. A new ALS 2 rate was added to recapture some of the added expenses when this level of care is provided the patient.

Fees for the rescue truck for extrication to aid access or removal of a patient were maintained at $144/hour with a 1-hour minimum charge requirement. This is something that doesn’t happen often, but it does increase the complexity of the call. Most private auto insurers cover this expense for their policy holders when the call is related to a motor vehicle crash.  

Currently we charge $25/half-hour for ambulance standby, which is very low. This charge should be raised to include potential payment of a crew in addition to a normal response as it is getting more difficult to encourage volunteer coverage of special events, pushing paid staff to cover when required. This would be outside the “typical” usage under DOF contracted rates. Though we don’t currently charge for high school special event standby’s, based on volunteer participation this football season, we may have to monetarily encourage participation for these types of events, when high school policies mandate ambulance coverage as they do for football. Currently we provide athletic event standby’s free of charge, when a volunteer crew is available. We will have to convince the high school that we can no longer provide EMS coverage to football games without adequate compensation (more than the offered hot dog and drink courtesy of the concession stand). The current rate we are able to charge the Division of Forestry under our Cooperative Agreement is $60/hour or $510/day, with crew of 2.

Public Works – The fee section pertaining to right-of-way permit and driveway permit fees is included in Public Works instead of Planning and Zoning. It is Public Works who issues both permits.

RECOMMENDATION:

Adopt Resolution 16-109 to amend the fees under Administrative, Camping, Library, Planning and Zoning, Fire, and Public Works Departments.