Title
RESOLUTION NO. 2017-085 OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF CHULA VISTA AMENDING CHAPTER 3 (ANIMAL CONTROL) OF THE MASTER FEE SCHEDULE
Body
RECOMMENDED ACTION
Recommended Action
Council adopt the resolution.
Body
SUMMARY
The proposed resolution will amend fees in Chapter 3 (Animal Control) of the Master Fee Schedule. The last update to this Chapter of the Master Fee Schedule was in 2013.
ENVIRONMENTAL REVIEW
Environmental Notice
Environmental Notice
The activity is not a “Project” as defined under Section 15378 of the California Environmental Quality Act State Guidelines; therefore, pursuant to State Guidelines Section 15060(c)(3) no environmental review is required.
Body
Environmental Determination
The Director of Development Services has reviewed the proposed activity for compliance with the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA) and has determined that the activity is not a “Project” as defined under Section 15378 of the State CEQA Guidelines because it will not result in a physical change in the environment; therefore, pursuant to Section 15060(c)(3) of the State CEQA Guidelines, the activity is not subject to CEQA. Thus, no environmental review is required.
DISCUSSION
Originally established in 1982, the Master Fee Schedule (Schedule) is a centralized listing of the fees charged by the City for administrative acts and other legally required fees. The City has established user fees to best ensure that those who use a proprietary service pay for that service in proportion to the benefit received.
The target cost recovery levels for City services related to the Animal Care Facility range depending on whether the services are ancillary or mandatory, and to balance public benefit. For example, the City has always offered low cost Rabies vaccinations to encourage all animals be vaccinated for public safety reasons. Our fee has been significantly lower than other public shelters. Changing the fee from $6 to $10 would allow the City to increase cost recovery rates while still remaining the lowest fee in the County. Multiple items on the fee schedule are being recommended for a slight increase to better reflect actual cost.
There are also two items in the fee schedule that staff recommends revisions to bring them into consistency with other sections of the Municipal Code. There are late fees identified in the Master Fee Schedule for payments made between 1-30 days late, but Municipal Code Section 6.20.050 (License-Penalty for late application or payment) states a “penalty fee(s) shall be added to the license fee if application or payment is made subsequent to 30 days from the date on which the dog is required to be licensed.” Therefore the penalty fee for payments made less than 30 days late is recommended to be removed. Additionally, there are Hearing fees identified in the Master Fee Schedule, but Municipal Code Section 1.40.020 (Administrative Citation Hearing-Process) establishes fees related to Administrative Citations. The revision to the Master Fee schedule would eliminate a specific dollar citation amount and refer, instead, to the citation process identified in the Municipal Code.
The proposed fee changes as identified in Attachment 1 allow for the City to recoup more of the Animal Care Facility’s costs while still offering incentives to encourage responsible pet ownership and adoption of shelter animals. Staff recommends that the City Council amend the Master Fee Schedule as outlined in this report and the attachment.
DECISION-MAKER CONFLICT
Staff has reviewed the decision contemplated by this action and has determined that it is not site-specific and consequently, the 500-foot rule found in California Code of Regulations Title 2, section 18702.2(a)(11), is not applicable to this decision for purposes of determining a disqualifying real property-related financial conflict of interest under the Political Reform Act (Cal. Gov't Code § 87100, et seq.).
Staff is not independently aware, and has not been informed by any council member, of any other fact that may constitute a basis for a decision maker conflict of interest in this matter.
LINK TO STRATEGIC GOALS
The City's Strategic Plan has five major goals: Operational Excellence, Economic Vitality, Healthy Community, Strong and Secure Neighborhoods and a Connected Community. This action item supports Operational Excellence by upholding a commitment to fiscal health as well as a Healthy Community by protecting public health and welfare of animals.
CURRENT YEAR FISCAL IMPACT
There is no current year fiscal impact. If approved, the updated fees will be reflected in next years revenue projections.
ONGOING FISCAL IMPACT
The fiscal impact in futures years will vary based upon actual reuqests for fee based services. If approved, future budgets will include updated revenue estimates based on actual collection trends under the new fee schedule.
Attachments:
1. Fee Bulletin 3-100 General Animal Control Fees of the Master Fee Schedule
Staff Contact: Amanda Mills, Animal Care Facility Administrator