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Home My WebLink AboutCOW 2019-09-09 Item 4C - Resolution - Updating the Fire Department Fee ScheduleCOUNCIL AGt:'NDA SYNOPSIS i�tt ' frTlr'lt'Nt 09/09/ 19 Vicky "r `` 09/16/19 ITEM INFORMATION ITEM No. iI uNsolt. VICKY CARLSEN C7RRuN.u, Ack 1) \ D I.L. 9/9/19 C;l,lti1),1 I`n M 7'1r1.r Resolution to Update Fire Department Fee Schedule 1'I'f :C;()lti' 1q I)/iG°rrye',pi�tt{/� i ti't iQ Date l/✓ d +' }'4 t otion q ry .'�ft 1Jf!%L' V > [3 i1' I °soot ffir'on C�?r/r/tr c r� c l�f%�f� d �t7{j� ❑ 13td . Jn}r�rtel t'\I Date [g (Pii /i • He trim .\Jr l t�,�[' ❑f 0ther J\ Date ry y .Yd/ Da Jf` J/J! SI � aNS0R ❑Cozinc'i1 ❑r11a •or J R rDCD e ❑ t' ❑TS ''..R oIa EPIP" Cou - I'lllC7r1 l capCouncil is being asked to approve a resolution to update fire department fee schedule lI 1T11,1t1 11.\°III°.I) lil' r C,O.v "r+Its;;,CDN Comm E Trans &It1tr''.Struant ❑ ArN Comm. DATE: 8/12/19 & 8/26/19 Finance Comm. Public Sdct COMM.— rn. Planning (onir. CHAII : MCM EOD ❑ 1',1r1 {;C)rt,1;1II'I"I`EI RECOMMENDATION SPoNsoR/AT) C(1\11\II iTN. Finance and Fire Departments rl PI. For Information Only COST IMPACT / FUND SOURCE l ; `t'1;T'INTvR1? RI?t?t'T12I AMOUNT BUDGETED APPROPRIATCON REQUIRED Fund Source: Comments: IVITG. DATE RECORD OF COUNCIL ACTION 9/9/19 9/ 16/ 19 IVITG. DATE ATTACH ENTS 9/9/19 Informational Memorandum dated 8/7/19 Draft Resolution Minutes from the 8/26/19 Finance committee eeting 6/19 43 44 City of Tukwila Allan Ekberg, Mayor TO:. INFOR ATIONAL E ORANDU Finance Committee FROM: Vicky Carlsen, Finance Director Ben Hayman, Fire Marshal CC: Mayor Ekberg DATE: August 7, 2019 SUBJECT: Update Fire Department Fee Schedule Updated after August 12, 2019 Finance Committee meeting ISSUE Recommendation for Council to update the current Fire Department fee schedule by adjusting current fees to market rates and adding new fees to more closely align with other fire jurisdictions. BACKGROUND The Fire Department charges fees for a variety of services performed. The fees are intended to recover a portion of the City' costs for processing permit applications, plan reviews, and re - inspections as well as a fee in conjunction with recovery of hazardous incident response costs. With the exception of fees for fire permits required by the International Fire Code and plan reviews, fees have not been increased since at least 2010. Because the structure of fire fee schedules can vary significantly from entity to entity, comparison data has been provided at the end of this memo. DISCUSSION As noted above, the Fire Department charges fees for a variety of services performed. Fees charged can be categorized in several sections including fire permit, plan review and inspection fees, re -inspection, and new fees. Each fee type is discussed below. In order to review and streamline current processes, the City is recommending that the changes to the fee schedule take effect January 1, 2020.This date will allow the build -out of the new fees in TRAKIT and the outreach to key stakeholders. Fire Permit Fees The first table represents fire permit fees. The current fee is $150.00 for all fire permit fees. The recommended update to the fee breaks the permits into several categories with fees reflective of the type of permit and complexity. Also reflected in this section are short-term/temporary permits, which reflect a fee increase plus the addition of one inspection included in the fee, and special event permits with no recommended change to the fee. Updated after August 12, 2019 Finance Committee meeting During the August 12, 2019 Finance Committee meeting, concerns were voiced regarding the short-term permit fee for food vendors. In response to the Committee's concerns, the short-term permit fee has been changed back to the original fee of $25.00. 45 INFORMATIONAL MEMO Page 2 Fire Permit Fees Current Fee Revised Fee Notes Fire permits required by the International Fire Code TMC 16.16.080 $150.00 for each permit Construction Permits: $500.00 for high pile storage, flammable and combustable liquids, hazardous materials. $300.00 all other contruction fire permits Permit fees broken out into multiple categories Operational Permits: $300.00 for high pile storage, flammable and combustable liquids, hazardous materials. $175.00 for all other operational fire permits Short term permits (i.e. for food vendors); for events not to exceed 3 consecutive days in duration: - Liquid propane permit - Open flame permit TMC 16.16.080 $25.00 for each permit $250.00. Fee includes one Fee increased inspection. $25.00 for each included permit and one -inspection Temporary / Special Events Permit: TMC 16.16.030 - Commercial - Residential $400.00 $100,00 $400.00 $100.00 No Change No Change Plan Review and Inspection Fees The recommendation for plan review fees is to revamp the structure to more accurately reflect the types of systems installed in the City and the effort required as the number of sprinkler heads in a sprinkler system and number of devices in an alarm system increase. The current fee structure breaks the number of sprinkler heads/alarm devices between 1 and 5 then 6 and more. The revised schedule provides for more categories and adds in inspection fee to the schedule. The first chart reflects the current structure, while the second chart displays the recommended new fee structure for plan review fees. 46 Z:1Council Agenda Items\Finance18.26.191Info Memo - Fire Department Fee Schedule - Updated after 8.12.19.docx INFORMATIONAL MEMO Page 3 Plan Review Fees (current Fee Schedule) Fee For alternative fire protection systems TMC 16.16.080 Commercial: For 1-5 devices/heads Base fee = $200.00 For 6 or more devices/heads Base fee = $300.00 + $2.00 per device/head in excess of 10 Single-family: Base fee = $50.00 + $1.50 per sprinkler head in excess of 10 Resubmittal fee $300.00 For fire alarm plans TMC 16.40.040 Commercial: For 1-5 devices Base fee = $200.00 For 6 or more devices Base fee = $300.00 + $2.00 per device in excess of 10 Single-family: Base fee = $50.00 + $1.50 per device in excess of 10 devices Resubmittal fee $300.00 For sprinkler system plans TMC 16.42.040 Commercial: For 1-5 heads Base fee = $200.00 For 6 or more heads Base fee = $300.00 + $2.00 per sprinkler head in excess of 10 Single-family: Base fee = $50.00 + $1.50 per sprinkler head in excess of 10 Resubmittal fee $300.00 Z:1Council Agenda Items\Finance\8.26.191Info Memo - Fire Department Fee Schedule - Updated after 8.12.19.docx 47 INFORMATIONAL MEMO Page 4 Proposed Fee Schedule Commercial Fire Sprinkler Fees Number of heads Plan Review Fee Per Head Review Inspection Fee Per Head Inspection 1 to 10 $300.00 $2.50 $175.00 $1.50 11 to 25 $350.00 $2.50 $200.00 $1.50 26 to 50 $350.00 $2.30 $225.00 $1.50 51 to 100 $350.00 $2.25 $300.00 $1.50 101 to 1000 $350.00 $1.90 $500.00 $1.30 1001 or More $400.00 $2.25 $750.00 $1.00 13D Sprinkler System Fees Number of heads Plan Review Fee Per Head Review Inspection Fee Per Head Inspection 1 to 10 $150 N/A $200.00 N/A 11 to 25 $175 N/A $250.00 N/A 26 or More $200 N/A $300.00 N/A Additional Systems Plan Review Fee Inspection Fee Per Riser $100 $100.00 Per Fire Pump $150 $300.00 Fire Alarm System Fees Number of Devices Plan Review Fee Per Device Review Inspection Fee Per Device Inspection 1 to 10 $300 $2.25 $150 $1.00 11 to 25 $300 $0.75 $250 $1.00 26 to 100 $350 $1.00 $275 $1.00 101 to 500 $400 $1.10 $500 $1.50 500 or More $500 $0.85 $1,100 $1.00 Commercial Clean Agent Systems and Commercial Kitchen Fire Protection Systems Plan Review Fee Per Device Review Inspection Fee $350 $1.00 $150.00 Reinspection Fees The current fee schedule for re -inspections reflects a stair step approach. As each additional re - inspection occurs the fee increases. The first reinspection at $60.00 then stepping up to a fee of $135 for the fourth re -inspection and any subsequent re -inspection. The recommended reinspection fee schedule sets all re -inspection fees to $175.00 regardless of how many re - inspections occur. This will streamline the invoicing process for re -inspections by eliminating the need to track the number of re -inspections for each project. Re -inspections also include an appeal fee currently set to $250.00. The recommendation is to increase the appeal fee to $500.00. The chart below displays the current fee structure as well as the recommended fee structure. 48 Z:1Council Agenda Items\Finance18.26.1911nfo Memo - Fire Department Fee Schedule - Updated after 8.12.19.docx INFORMATIONAL MEMO Page 5 Re -inspection fees For new construction, tenant improvements or spot inspections TMC 16.16.080 TMC 16.40.130 TMC 16.42.110 .TMC 16.46.150 TMC 16.48.150 $100.00 (current fee) For company level inspections: TMC 16.16.080 On the follow-up inspection 30 days after the initial company level violation, when the inspector finds that the violations have not been corrected = $60.00 On the second follow-up inspection, when the inspector finds that the violations have not been corrected = $85.00 On the third follow-up inspection, when the inspector finds that the violations have not been corrected = $110.00 Fee for the fourth and any subsequent follow-up inspections when the inspector finds that the violations have not been corrected = $135.00 Revised Fee $175.00 per re - inspection APPEAL FEE TMC 16.16.090 TMC 16.40.170 TMC 16.42.150 TMC 16.46.170 TMC 16.48.170 $250.00 $500.00 Proposed New Fees In addition to the current fees charged for services provided by the Fire Department, other services provided by Fire are not currently supported by fees. The City is recommending that new fees be added to the schedule to recover a portion of the City's cost of providing these services. The table below reflects two new categories of fees. The first category are fees to recoup costs associated with development, public works, mechanical, and land use permits that are reviewed by Fire personnel. The second category are special fees and include fees for expedited and after- hours plan review and expedited and after-hours inspections, both resulting in possible overtime costs to the City. Other recommended fees in the category include, but are not limited to, a fee for starting work before the issuance of a permit and a 5% technology fee for Fire fees only (there will not be a double technology fee charged if there already is a technology fee charged), similar to the fee charged by Department of Community Development. Z:1Council Agenda Items\Finance18.26.1911nfo Memo - Fire Department Fee Schedule - Updated after 8,12.19.docx 49 INFORMATIONAL MEMO Page 6 Development, Public Works, Mechanical and Lend Use penndo reviewed by Fine Special Fees Expedited and After -Hours Fire Plan Review s400.00 sxpauUeuand ane�*ouramspecUon 5500.00 vvim�ns�ommonivaUnn,FaoU�� 15O�OD New Business u�3n��mopecVon $0000plus Applicable Operational Permit Fees Boundary Line Adjugmont�Residential � �1VOO� Boundary Line Adjustment: Commercial $ 200.00 Lot Consolidation: Residential $ 100.00 Annual LVe3o��|nspecUon s5V+Applicable Operational Permit Fees Lot Consolidation: Commercial � 4O0��O Short Plat Fire Review $ 200.80 Smoke Control System Plan Review $750.00 Sub Fire Division $ 500�00 MidhseSmoke Control System Inspection $500�00 Hiqhr|seSmoke Control System Inspection $900.00 sspAFife Review S 400.00 Resubmitta| Plan Review Fee $300.00 Development Fire nev|nm nosiuonUm| $ 150.00 Emergency Responder Radio Coverage SystemTe S300�00 �25D�OQ �i,eYahanne�equey��eyi��nVa| Development Fi�Rovmp: Commercial $ 4O000 � Fire Variance Request: Commercial $500.80 Public Works Fire Review: Residential $ 150.00 Fire Appeal Fee $500.00 Public Works Fire Review: Commercial $ 300.00 Fire Suppression and Detection Confidence Test Administrative Fee $15.VVper system Mechanical Fire Roviow� nasmvnum/ � � $ ��VD8 Starting work before apermit issuance shall basub ect to an investigation fee equal toa1O0Y6o,applicable permit fees Mechanical Fire Review: Commercial S 300.00 A5%Technology Fee will beadded toall Fire Fees Outreach Plan In order to communicate the changes to the Fire Department fee schedule, the City has identified the following steps to notify those affected by the changes in the fee schedule. - Work with Chamber t0help notify businesses Vfthe pending changes. - Notifications posted on C|tyvvebs|te. - Meetings held with key stakeholders. - Signs ofupcoming fees atPermit Center and Fire Marshal's Office. Fee Schedule Comparison toOther Jurisdictions Fee schedules for fire services very significantly from entity to entity. For example, some fee schedules for permit fees are listed as broad categories with a flat fee for each category. Others list detailed categories with flat fees for each or the fee is a percentage based on the value of the permit. Because of the complexity and variances between #aa oohedu|es, comparison data is provided bytype ofbusiness rather than type offee. Fees are examples and would vary based onsize and complexity ofthe project. $6,370 Small Restaurant - Fire Protection Fees $2,074 l'DZZ ,, q, , ^' — ��/y5 $1,136 ' '---- CovingProposed ton Kent Kirkland Bellevue Tukwila Lynnwood 5eoTac Renton VRFA Tukwila 50 Z:�Council Agenda ItemsVinance\8.26.19kInfo Memo - Fire Department Fee Schedule - Updated after 8.12.19.docx Current INFORMATIONAL MEMO Page 7 $19,241 $12,594 Fire Protection Fees- 5 storyhotel $6,509 $6,490 $6,202 $5,356 $4,913 $3,860 $3,192 $2,961 Kent Lynnwood Kirkland Proposed SeaTac Bellevue Renton VRFA Current Covington Tukwila Fees $338 $321 $321 $268 $300 $258 High Pile/Rack Storage- OPERATIONAL $268 $258 $200 $200 $175 $175 ALL OTHER OPERATIONAL PERMITS $200 $200 $175 $175 $175 Tukwila $155 $150 $155 oc, ••\,)' $150 $125 $125 $1.00 $100 RECOMMENDATION The City Council is being asked to approve the resolution and consider this item at the August 26, 2019 Committee of the Whole meeting and at the subsequent September 3, 2019 Regular Meeting. Mound Agenda Items1Finance18.26.191Info Memo - Fire Department Fee Schedule - Updated after 8.12.19.docx 51 52 NOTE: Shaded text on Page 2 denotes changes made after the August 12, 2019 Finance Committee meeting. A RESOLUTION OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF TUKWILA, WASHINGTON, REPEALING RESOLUTION NO. 1935 AND ADOPTING A REVISED FIRE DEPARTMENT FEE SCHEDULE. WHEREAS, the City has analyzed current Fire Department fees for various services provided including, but not limited to, permits, plan review and re -inspections; and WHEREAS, the City Council wishes to recover a portion of the City's costs for processing of permit applications, plan reviews, re -inspections, and other services provided by the Fire Department; and WHEREAS, the City has not reviewed and updated fees charged by the Fire Department for several years; NOW, THEREFORE, THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF TUKWILA, WASHINGTON, HEREBY RESOLVES AS FOLLOWS: Section 1. Repealer. Resolution No. 1935 is hereby repealed. Section 2. Fire Department Fee Schedule. Fire Department fees will be charged according to the following schedule, which shall supersede any previously adopted fire permit fee, plan review fee or re -inspection fee. W:\Legislative Development\Fire Department Fee Schedule 8-21-19 VC:bjs Review and analysis by Barbara Saxton Page 1 of 8 53 FIRE DEPARTMENT FEE SCHEDULE FIRE PERMIT FEES Fire permits required by the International Fire Code TMC 16.16.080 $150.00 for ach permit Construction Permits: $500.00 for high pile storage, flammable and combustible liquids, hazardous materials. $300.00 all other construction fire permits Operational Permits: $300.00 for high pile storage, flammable and combustible liquids, hazardous materials. 175.00 for all other operational fire permits Short term permits (i.e. for food vendors); for events not to exceed 3 consecutive days in duration: - Liquid propane permit - Open flame permit TMC 16.16.080 $25.00 for each permit . . . Temporary / Special Events Permit: TMC 16.16.030 - Commercial - Residential $400.00 $100.00 W:\Legislative Development\Fire Department Fee Schedule 8-21-19 VC:bjs Review and analysis by Barbara Saxton 54 Page 2 of 8 TMC 16.16.080 Commercial: dovicefhead in excec's of 10 sprinkler head in exec s of 10 Rosubmittal fee $ TYPE FEE TMC 16.42.040 . .. sprinkler head in excess o sprinkler head in excec. of 10 Resubmittol fee etk W:\Legislative Development\Fire Department Fee Schedule 8-21-19 VC:bjs Review and analysis by Barbara Saxton Page 3 of 8 55 Go ercial Fire rinker Fees u er of Plan eview (Per Head) Inspection (mer ead) inspection eads Fee eview Fee 1 to 10 $300.00 $2.50 S17500 $1.50 11 to 25 350.00 $2.50 $200.00 $1.50 26 to 50 $350.00 $2.30 S2250O $1.50 51 to 100 $350.00 $2.25 $300.00 $1.50 101 to 1,000 $350.00 $1.90 $500.00 $1.30 1,001 or ore $400.00 $2.25 $750.00 $1.00 dditional Plan evie Inspection yste s Fee Fee Per Riser $100,00 $100.00 Per Fire Pump $150.00 $300.00 3 ',Tickler Sy te Fees u ber of Plan evie er ead) inspection (Per ead) Inspection eads Fee eview Fee 1 to 10 $150.00 NIA $200.00 N/A 11 to 25 S175M0 N/A $250,00 N/A 26 or More S2OOEOO N/A $300.00 N/A \Ai:legislative Development\Fire Department Fee Schedule 8-21-19 VC:bjs Review and analysis by Barbara Saxton 56 Page 4 of 8 Fire • lar yste Fees u ber of " an evie ("er evice) Inspection Fee (er evice) vices Fee Inspection evie 1 to 10 $300.00 $2.25 $150.00 $1.00 11 to 25 $300.00 $0.75 $250.00 $1.00 26 to 100 $350.00 $1.00 $275.00 $1.00 101 to 500 S400.0O $1.10 $500.00 $1.50 501 or More S500.00 $0.85 $1,100.00 S1.00 Co ercial Clean • gent vste s an Co ercial itchen Fire 'rotection vste s Ian evie (Per Inspection Fee evice) Fee evievv $350.00 $1.00 $150.00 RE -INSPECTION FEES For new construction, inspections or spot tenant improvements, inspections life safety $100.00 $175.00 per re -inspection TMC 16.16.080 TMC 16.40.130 TMC 16.42.110 TMC 16.46.150 TMC 16.48.150 W:\Legislative Development\Fire Department Fee Schedule 8-21-19 VC:bjs Review and analysis by Barbara Saxton Page 5 of 8 57 For level inspections. company . . . . . . . . the inspector finds that the violations have been 60.00 not corrected ........................................- . . . . , . .................................... . inspector finds that the have not violations ...... .......... .. . . ........................ . follow inspections the inspector up when finds that the hake not been violations . ............................................. . . APPEAL FEE TMC 16.16.090 TMC 16.40.170 TMC 16.42.150 TMC 16.46.170 TMC 16.48.170 $250.00 500.00 evelop ent, Public orks, echanical and Land Use Pe its revie ed by Fire Wireless Communications Facility $150.00 Boundary Line Adjustment: Residential $100.00 Boundary Line Adjustment: Commercial 200.00 Lot Consolidation: Residential $100.00 Lot Consolidation: Commercial $400.00 Short Plat Fire Review 200.00 Sub Fire Division $500.00 SEPA Fire Review $400.00 W:\Legislative Development\Fire Department Fee Schedule 8-21-19 VC:bjs Review and analysis by Barbara Saxton 58 Page 6 of 8 Development Fire Review: Residential S150.00 Development Fire Review: Commercial $400.00 Public Works Fire Review: Residential S150.00 Public Works Fire Review: Commercial $300.00 Mechanical Fire Review: Residential $150.00 Mechanical Fire Review: Commercial $300.00 pec ia I Fees Expedited and After -Hours Fire Plan Review $400.00 Expedited and After -Hours Inspection $500.00 New Business Life Safety Inspection $50.00 plus Applicable Operational Permit Fees Annual Life Safety Inspection $50.00 + Applicable Operational Permit Fees Smoke Control System Plan Review $750.00 Mid -rise Smoke Control System Inspection $500.00 High-rise Smoke Control System Inspection $900.00 Resubmittal Plan Review Fee $300.00 Emergency Responder Radio Coverage System Test $300.00 Fire Variance Request: Residential $250.00 Fire Variance Request: Commercial $500.00 Fire Suppression and Detection Confidence Test $15.00 per system Administrative Fee WALegislative Development\Fire Department Fee Schedule 8-21-19 VC:bjs Review and analysis by Barbara Saxton Page 7 of 8 59 Starting work before a permit issuance shall be subject to an investigation fee equal to 100Vo of applicable permit fees. A 5`)/0 Technology Fee will be added to all Fire fees unless the Technology Fee is already being charged by another City department. Recovery of Hazardous Incident Response Costs TMC Chapter 6.14 Minimum fee for incident response costs = $250.00, plus any "extraordinary costs" as defined per TMC Chapter 6.14. Section 3. Effective Date. The fee schedule contained in this resolution shall be effective immediately. PASSED BY THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF TUKWILA, WASHINGTON, at a Regular Meeting thereof this day of , 2019. ATTEST/AUTHENTICATED: Christy O'Flaherty, MMC, City Clerk APPROVED AS TO FORM BY: Rachel B. Turpin, City Attorney Kathy Hougardy, Council President Filed with the City Clerk: Passed by the City Council: Resolution Number: WALegislative Development\Fire Department Fee Schedule 8-21-19 VC:bjs Review and analysis by Barbara Saxton Page 8 of 8 60 Finance Committee Minutes August26, 2019 absorbed in their budget. He also stated it would be helpful to have costs broken out in greater detail so the Council can better anticipate the budget. Finance staff is working to update the chart of accounts for greater transparency. Councilmember Quinn asked if service separations are identified separately so they can be appropriately offset. Staff replied that separations can be costly and departments are expected to absorb them by cutting back in other areas. Councilmember Quinn stated that the Fire Department has requested significant budget amendments each year since 2012 and these proposed amendments reveal the true cost of service. Councilmember Seal pointed out that when the Department begins charging for false alarms again, the business community will direct any backlash to the Council. Councilmember Quinn said that the Council needs to give financial direction and structure to Fire and in return will need some guarantees. Chair McLeod stated support for the additional revenue sources proposed by staff as well as a more robust annual report as outlined in the RCW. FORWARD TO SEPTEMBER 9, 2019 COMMITTEE OF THE WHOLE. B. Resolution: Fire Department Fee Schedule Staff is seeking Council approval of a resolution that would update the Fire Department fee schedule by adjusting current fees and adding new fees to more closely align with other jurisdictions in the region. Fees are intended to recover a portion of the City's costs for services such as fire permits, plan review, and inspections. At its August 12,2019 meeting, the Committee requested staff return with a different proposal forshortterm permits following Councilmember Quinn's comments expressing concern about deterring the types of activities the City would in fact like to attract. The revised proposal retains short-term permit at the current fee of $25.00. Staff noted that there is some statewide movement to address permitting of food trucks and the City is monitoring that activity. UNANIMOUS APPROVAL. FORWARD TO SEPTEMBER 9, 2019 COMMITTEE OF THE WHOLE. C. Fire Department Special Operations Staff provided an overview of the special operations that the Fire Department has provided in the past as well as in the transition toward Zone 3 regionalization. Tukwila has been a leader in the state to specialize in hazardous materials and rescue efforts, responding to calls including the Oklahoma City bombing, World Trade Center emergency, and the 0S0 mudslide. The Zone 3 Technical Rescue Response model was formalized in 2004-2005, which organizes and coordinates responding agencies. Tukwila has a responsibility toward training and special operations as its contribution to the region. Chair McLeod asked about budgetary impacts of specialized training, and staff estimates courses cost $50,000 or less each year. Deployments are reimbursed at or nearly 100%. Chair McLeod asked about water rescue training on the Columbia River and staff responded that this was done once in 2010 during a flooding threat. Chair McLeod recommended a presentation to the full Council on July activities. DISCUSSION ONLY. 61