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Council tables new fee for portable storage and right-of-way permits after debate
Summary
City staff proposed adding and updating right-of-way permit fees, including a new fee for portable moving and storage containers; councilmembers and business commenters questioned the change and voted to table the fee-resolution item for later review.
City staff presented a revised fee resolution on June 3 that would add and clarify right-of-way permit charges, including a new line for portable moving and storage containers and a proposed fee to recover staff time for permit review.
"The intent is that if there's large, dumpster containers that somebody would like to place temporarily within the right of way next to a sidewalk or within the roadway, this is the mechanism for them to vet the request and us to be able to review it and apply any conditions to ensure that it will protect the public health, safety, and welfare," said Kim Klinkers, city engineer, explaining the proposed permit category.
Nut graf: The proposed changes included a new $120 fee for portable moving and storage containers (intended to cover staff review of about one hour) and higher charges for other right-of-way activities. Several council members and business owners questioned creating a new fee for common temporary items (dumpsters, moving pods, porta-potties) and asked for clearer definitions; after discussion the council voted to table the fee-resolution (2025-4) for further review.
Business and resident commenters said the proposed fee would impose costs on contractors and homeowners for routine short-term uses. Janice Oxford, a planning commissioner and business owner, urged additional study, saying portable storage fees could amount to an effective tax on local businesses. Council members asked staff to clarify whether earlier fee schedules included similar items and to return with more precise language and rationale.
Ending: The council voted to table the fee resolution and asked staff to return with clearer definitions and justification for the portable-storage/right-of-way entries at a later meeting; the matter was not decided on June 3.
