Council denies Ford New Foundation request to waive POPS facility permit fees, seeks more documentation on costs

The New Prague City Council voted to deny a request from the Ford New Foundation to waive building permit fees for the POPS facility, citing fairness to other applicants and a need for clearer documentation of additional costs.

Staff summarized the July 10 fee‑waiver request seeking waivers totaling $10,942.97; staff noted a $450 state surcharge cannot be waived because it is a pass‑through to the state. Staff recommended denying the request to maintain fee equity across projects, noting the city pays its own permit fees on municipal projects and that prior waivers (for example, eight Habitat Humanity homes over the past two decades) were granted for affordable‑housing projects with council policy context.

Council members asked whether the foundation has documented that it would absorb costs above the $100,000 commitment the park board has pledged for soil and feasibility work; staff said formal documentation of additional costs had not yet been provided. Several councilors said the city has already contributed land, feasibility work and grading to the project and asked for receipts before approving additional waivers. One councilor (who stated they would abstain) emphasized not wanting to create a precedent of repeatedly waiving fees.

On a motion to deny, the council voted to deny the fee waiver with four votes in favor and one abstention (Councilmember Wolf). The park board has committed up to $100,000 toward site work; staff said reimbursements would be paid on presentation of receipts if the board proceeds with its pledged support.

What happens next: staff will notify the foundation of the decision and request formal documentation if the foundation seeks further assistance; the park board and foundation can pursue reimbursement for eligible expenses if receipts are provided.