Committee backs waiving permit fees to encourage sprinkler retrofits in older apartments

Alderman Bergellis introduced a measure to waive city permit and plan-review fees for landlords who voluntarily retrofit sprinkler systems into multifamily buildings that are currently exempt from that requirement, calling it a practical step to “help protect the life and safety of residents in our community.”

Deputy Commissioner Mike Basmian of Neighborhood Services told the committee the permit and plan-review charge for a recent retrofit was roughly $2,200 and that the department projects the fiscal note’s roughly $35,000 annual estimate on an assumption of roughly six projects of mixed sizes: “I think that the $35,000 was based on, I think, 6 projects roughly,” he said. Basmian emphasized uncertainty: the city cannot predict the volume or scale of retrofits that would result from the fee waiver.

Waterworks Superintendent Pat Polley warned the committee that many retrofits will require either a new dedicated fire-service lateral or an upgrade to existing service, and that the cost of open-excavation service connections for large apartment buildings could be “$20,000” or more — a cost borne by property owners. Polley noted the city’s tariff and Wisconsin Public Service Commission rules constrain the water department’s authority to waive water-service permit fees.

Committee members questioned the significance of the fee as an incentive given retrofit construction costs. Chair Alderman Bauman noted permit fees are intended to cover city plan-review and inspection costs. Several aldermen described the waiver as a modest “carrot” to encourage voluntary retrofits and supported recommending passage. With department staff indicating support, Alderman Speicher moved recommendation and the committee approved the item without recorded objection.

Next steps: The recommendation sends the ordinance forward for full council consideration; staff will need to refine fiscal projections if the council requests greater precision.