HomeMy WebLinkAboutPermits Technology Surcharge Fee - 2010 July 19, 2010 �r Renton City Council Minutes w�+� Page 219
Mr. Huls remarked that the Renton Civic Theater has been a part of the Renton
community for 23 years. He expressed appreciation for the opportunity to
partner with the City to help save the Summer Teen Musical program. Mr. Huls
stated that this year's production is"13," and that the show opens July 23 and
runs through August 1. He noted that tickets can be purchased at the Renton
Civic Theater box office. Mr. Huls then introduced three performers who
entertained with three sample vocal numbers from the show.
Mayor Law remarked that it was a difficult choice to cut the Summer Teen
Musical from the 2010 Budget. He expressed appreciation to the Renton Civic
Theater for partnering with the City to make sure this important program
continued. Mayor Law emphasized that community partnerships are vital to
the City's abiliry to accomplish.its goals.
Human Services: Northwest Ward Urion, Executive Director ofthe Northwest Men's Project,stated that
Men's Project Pledge- men have a unique role in speaking out, role modeling, and taking a stand to
Domestic Violence Awareness end violence against women. He remarked that the organization started with a
pledge published in several periodicals that appealed to leaders around the
region to take a public stand against domestic violence. Mr. Urion invited City
Officials and staff to participate in the organization's march in the Renton River
Days Parade,and asked Council to consider signing a pledge during King County
Family Services'celebration in October highlighting Domestic Violence
Awareness Month.
Eli Crawford, Program Coordinator for the Northwest Men's Project, stated that
the organization's program focuses on bystander approaches to violence
prevention. He explained that the bystander approach is about training
everyday people who see something and want to help, but do not know what
to say or do, and also training those who feel isolated and disempowered in the
context of bullying,violence, or domestic violence. Mr. Crawford remarked
that their program focuses primarily on young men by providing leadership
development, skills, awareness, and understanding. He stated that an ecologic
approach to social change is utilized,and that they not only work with young
adults, but also with parents, schools, and local shop owne�s. He stated that
their organization believes that engaging the entire community is the most
effective way to create social change and to end violence.
Councilmember Taylor expressed appreciation for their organization's efforts in
increasing the level of awareness regarding this problem. Mr.Taylor stated
that it is especially important for men to express outrage about domestic
violence and that more men should stand up and say that this type of behavior
will not be condoned.
PUBLIC HEARING This being the date set and proper notices having been posted and published in
CED: Permits Technology accordance with local and State laws, Mayor Law opened the public hearing to
Surcharge Fee consider a Permits Technology Surcharge Fee.
Q� '�a�`�/ Community and Economic Development Administrator Alex Pietsch stated that
the City's software that tracks permitting, code enforcement, and other aspects
of land use regulations is becoming out-of-date. He remarked that the City is
looking to replace the current system, and to help pay for the purchase and
maintenance, a Technology Surcharge Fee is being considered.
luly 19, 2010 `"'' Renton City Council Minutes �`"'` Page 220
Development Services Director Neil Watts remarked that permitting technology
has changed significantly over the last 18 years. He stated that without
sophisticated software, the City would not be able to track the high number of
permits, inspections,fee information, and other types of records with the
current stafFing levels. Mr.Watts remarked that the City is already making a
substantial investment in permitting hardware and software,explaining that
the City pays approximately$16,000 per year to maintain its current software
system, plus an additional$7,000 for an automated phone system, and
approximately$40,000 per year for use of an online permitting system. He also
noted that there has been an increase in the use of credit cards to pay for
permits, and the City incurs a two percent back-end charge for those
transactions.
Mr.Watts reported that a Technology Surcharge Fee of three percent on all
permits, increasing to five percent when the new software is implemented, is
being requested. He stated that at 2009 permitting levels approximately
$78,000 per year would be collected. Mr.Watts explained that the new system
will provide a variety of improvements including increased public access to
information,expanded online permitting, expanded field access to permit
information for employees, integrated Geographical Information Services(GIS),
and electronic plan review. He stated that these improvements will allow for
the automation of inspection assignments, license renewals, and will also
provide a major upgrade to report-writing capabilities.
Mr. Watts remarked that the Master Builders Association and the King County
Builders Council have raised concerns regarding the proposal. He stated that
their first concern is cost,and that they are also concerned about how the new
technology will be implemented. Mr. Watts noted, however,that the
development community is aware that the City has business costs and is trying
to bring in new technology that will be of benefit to them.
Concluding, Mr.Watts reported that the City of Redmond and Snohomish
County have already implemented Technology Surcharge Fees and that most
eastside cities are considering similar proposals in order to operate and
maintain their permitting systems. He noted that the new technology fees will
be included as part of the 2011-2012 Budget proposal,and that no Council
action is being requested at this time.
There being no public comment, it was MOVED BY ZWICKER,SECONDED BY
CORMAN, COUNCIL CLOSE THE PUBLIC HEARING. CARRIED.
ADMINISTRATIVE REPORT Assistant CAO IVlarty Wine reviewed a written administrative report
summarizing the City's recent progress towards goals and work programs
adopted as part of its business plan for 2010 and beyond. Item noted:
� Come join the fun as the 25th Annual Renton River Days Festival celebrates
the theme, "25 Years of Magic in the Park." This is also the 12th year for
the festival's title sponsorship with IKEA. Come to Liberty Park for three
days of family fun, Friday through Sunday,July 23 to 25. Explore dozens of
community booths, shop nearly 70 arts and crafts booths,take in ongoing
entertainment on two stages, and sample the Nibble of Renton. Be sure to
stop by the Renton History Museum for the 25th Anniversary Renton River
Days Exhibit entitled, "80,000 Ducks, 25 Years."
�. .�
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City of Renton
PUBLIC INFORMATION HANDOUT
Jul y 19, 2010
Technology Permit Surcharge Fee
For additional information, please contact: Neil Watts, Development Services Director; City
of Renton Planning Division; (425) 430-7218
ISSUE:
Should the City adopt a Technology Surcharge Fee to cover costs for permit system software,
equipment and maintenance support?
RECOMMENDATION:
The Community & Economic Development Department recommends adopting a Technology
Surcharge Fee on all building, land use, franchise and public works permits. The Community &
Economic Development Department further recommends establishing the surcharge at 3% and
increasing the surcharge to 5%following implementation of a new permit software system.
BACKGROUND:
Renton's permitting process is reliant on technology for tracking permit requests, plan review
status, project requirements, inspection requests, inspection results, fee requirements and
development conditions. There are ongoing costs for maintenance of this system which are
currently paid from general fund sources. There are also additional City costs as more
applicants are using credit cards. These credit card charges require the City pay a 2% discount
charge to the credit card companies.
The City's permit software system is anticipated to be replaced with an new system in the near
future. The new system will provide improved records tracking, coordination with our GIS
system, electronic plan review capabilities, on-line permitting, an improved support system for
code enforcement, an improved business licensing system,field access to the system for
inspectors and on line access for citizens for permit, business license and code enforcement
information. The purchase and maintenance of a new permit software system could be
partially funded with the additional revenues from a technology surcharge fee. A surcharge of
3% on all permit fees, based on 2009 permit fee revenues, would annually generate an
additional $77,793 annually. If a surcharge were approved for 5%, the additional annual
revenue would be$129,655.
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Many cities are already charging a technology surcharge permit fee. Both Snohomish County
and Redmond are charging a 3% surcharge fee on all permits. Several cities and counties in
Oregon and California have adopted similar fees, or are in the process of adopting technology
surcharge fees. Sacramento is currently charging an 8%technology surcharge fee.
The recommendation is for a tiered approach to adoption of this new fee. A technology
surcharge fee of 3% is requested to cover ongoing costs related to existing permit related
technology support and ongoing development costs for upgrading the permitting and
inspection system. Once a new upgraded system is in operation, we recommend raising the fee
to 5% to cover the purchase and support costs for the new system and related services. The
tentative schedule for completing implementation of a new system is July 2012.
• Agenda Item No.: .
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RENTON CITY COUNCIL MEETING
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DATE: 7��q��Q PLEASE PRINT 5 Minute Time Limit
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RENTON CITY COUNCIL MEETING
PUBLIC HEARING/MEETING
SPEAKER SIGN-UP SHEET
CITIZENS MUST PROVIDE NAME AND ADDRESS IN ORDER TO BE
CONTACTED OR TO BE A PARTY OF RECORD WHEN APFROPRIATE
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PLEASE PRINT 5 Minute Time�L'niif��' ���` '.�
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Name: Name:
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City Zip Code City Zip Code
Topic: Topic:
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CITY OF RENTON
CITY COUNCIL
NOTICE OF PUBLIC HEARING
NOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN that the Renton City Council has fixed the 19th day of July,
2010, at 7:00 p.m. as the date and time for a public hearing to be held in the seventh
floor Council Chambers of Renton City Hall, 1055 S. Grady Way, Renton, WA 98057, to
consider the following:
Adopt a Technology Surcharge Fee on all building, land use, franchise and public
works permits to assist with offsetting costs to maintain and upgrade the
permitting software system.
All interested parties are invited to attend the hearing and present written or oral
comments regarding the proposal. Renton City Hall is in compliance with the American
Disabilities Act, and interpretive services for the hearing impaired will be provided upon
prior notice. For information, call 425-430-6510.
,��,,�,t,��,4 C�J�ez v�
Bonnie I. Walton
City Clerk
Published:
Renton Reporter
June 25, 2010
Account No. 50640