Public Works Committee reviews changes to general fee schedule, discusses barricade and event charges

The Public Works Committee on March 25 took up a final-reading discussion of an ordinance to amend Article 117, the city's general fee schedule, and focused on changes affecting special-event permits, barricade charges and the mulch/wood disposal fee.

Gary (staff) told the committee it had been five years since the city last revised the general fee schedule and that the ordinance adds a fee for new restaurant facilities. Scott Livermore explained the committee's intent on barricades: the proposed $300 charge covers deploying the city’s soft barricades (labor for a four-person crew for roughly four hours). Scott said the heavier water-filled barricades were not included because their use would raise costs “so much… I don't think anybody could afford to do it,” and gave an estimated cost: “If we would want water barricades, it would run the city roughly around $13,000 for us to do that service.”

Staff also described the special-event permit structure: most events are single-event permits at $50; organizers that run more than six events per year (for example, the Saturday market or First Friday) would qualify for an annual/permanent permit at a higher flat rate. The mulch/wood card fee was raised in the draft: $15 for a new card and $10 for renewal, an increase of $5.

Committee members said the increases bring the city more in line with neighboring municipalities. Several members asked that the city consider reviewing fees on a shorter cadence than five years to avoid large, infrequent increases.

Ending: The committee discussed the ordinance; the transcript records a discussion only, not a final committee vote. Any formal adoption would be recorded at a later meeting if moved forward.