11-10-25-WS - Laserfiche WebLink

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• Public Works/Engineering — There was a $5 increase to right-of-way, right-of-way small cell wireless facilities and grading and erosion permit fees. Call -out fees related to weekdays and weekends were clarified. • Utility Hookup Charges — Re -inspection fees that include weekdays and weekends were clarified. The fee for a I" water meter was increased from $590 to $650 and the hydrant rental fee was increased from $32 to $33. • Miscellaneous/Retail Activities — An Event Center was added to an existing Business Licensing category for Amusement Facilities that had an associated fee of $105, and the category was aptly renamed to Amusement and Event Facilities. In addition, the Adult Cannabis Retail Sales Registration fees (initial and renewal) were created. The reference to Mobile Food Unit/Food Truck licensing for vendors was removed. • Miscellaneous Fees/Permits — An Adult Cannabis Event Permit Fee of $100 per event and Illegal Adult Cannabis Sales violation fees were established. In addition, the tobacco violation fees were increased. Note the Council had also previously capped the number of tobacco licenses at six (6). We currently have five (5) licenses, so there is one more available. • Utility Use Charges — Increases in 2025 were as follows: 9% sanitary sewer rates and 3% surface water rates. No changes to water fees were made. The information below outlines changes recommended to the fee schedule for 2026. Proposed changes to the fee schedule are noted in red print on the attached draft 2026 Fee Schedule (Attachment A). Explanations for these proposed changes are provided below. Buildinz Construction (Sec. II) Commercial and Residential Building Permit Fees: Staff is proposing changes to be more clear and be adjusted to be more consistent with surrounding communities, based on the schedule set by the State in statute. Beyond the separation of permit fees and plan review on the revised fee schedule, staff also proposes increasing some permit fees to be in line with surrounding communities. Language has also been added related to permit refunds to mitigate confusion. To provide clarity to the applicant, specificity in the type of fee, the fee surcharge and the relationship to State Statute and related calculations was addressed. This aligns with updates from Tokle Inspections in 2025 to have commercial electrical permits be more proportional to the project. Also proposed is to add language to the table to be more specific about flat fees and to include a minimum state surcharge of $1 (as allowed by law) for flat -fee permits. This will also serve to reduce the burden on the applicant in determining total fees and costs; it is more likely than not to result in a fee schedule that is more proportional to the project; and is in the interest of the outcomes described in the Council's adopted strategic plan regarding customer service. Commercial Mechanical and Plumbing Plan Review Fees: The City conducts commercial mechanical permit plan review in-house and has not historically charged a fee for such. This is a time-consuming effort and staff is proposing to establish a plan review fee for commercial mechanical permits as allowed in state statute. That is 65% of the permit fee. In addition, commercial plumbing permit plan review is conducted by the Minnesota Department of Labor and Industry (DoLI). Staff proposes the City contract with Rum River to be the delegated commercial plumbing plan review service. Not only would the City then receive a percentage of each permit and plan review fee, as determined by the contract with Rum River. This would add revenue the city is not receiving today. It would also reduce the timeline for an applicant to receive a permit, as DoLI's review times are in excess of four to six weeks much of the year. Rum River can provide a much more reasonable timeline. Electrical Permit Fees: The City continues to contract with Tokle Inspections. Tokle has increased pricing for both commercial and residential items which are reasonable increases comparatively to surrounding cities — please see the attached Exhibit A. Page 2 of 5