CCP 06-08-1998 - Laserfiche WebLink

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ARDEN HILLS CITY COUNCIL - MAY 26. 1998 11 . Councilmember Aplikowski suggested that "RV" be spelled out in lower case letters to clarify what. is included in this generic definition. Councilmember Malone agreed with this suggestion and accepted this as a friendly amendment to the motion. The motion carried unanimously (5-0). B. Viking Sprinkler Request for Reduction of Permit Fees Lisa Bossert, representing Viking Automatic Sprinkler Company, advised they are installing high pressure sprinkling systems in three buildings under construction. She explained the sprinkling system can claim to actually suppress a fire (not just control the fire) and in order to make that claim, the quantity of sprinkler heads is abnormally high. They will also provide fire pumps which are not required with a typical sprinkler system. She presented site drawings of these buildings, noting the large number of sprinkler system heads. Ms. Bossert stated these will be easy buildings to inspect based on the symmetry of the structure. Ms. Bossert explained the City's permit fee is $15 for first sprinkler and $2.50 for each additional sprinkler beyond that. She asserted this fee structure is uncommon compared to other cities which charge for the first sprinkler and then for each ten additional sprinklers (not per sprinkler). She explained they estimated this job based on that fee schedule. Ms, Bossert noted the permit fees for these buildings exceeds $8,300 which she believes is excessive given the level of effort to do the inspections. . Councilmember Malone stated he would like City Staff to have the opportunity to present their recommendation, He asked what other cities charge for each additional 10 sprinklers. Ms. Bossert stated in White Bear Lake it would cost $1,000 and in Blaine it would cost $2,000 but no where would it cost $8,000. Ms. Bossert stated the City's fee structure may be appropriate for small structures but may not be appropriate for this type of structure. She explained they do a design/build with a flat rate price including the permit and a full Code compliance. Councilmember Hicks asked if this system requires more heads than other systems on a square footage basis. Ms. Bossert stated this is correct and noted one building has 1,300 sprinkler heads, the second building has 800 sprinkler heads, and the third building has about 1,000 sprinkler heads. Mayor Probst asked if Viking Automatic Sprinkler Company has done work in Arden Hills previously. Ms. Bossert stated they have. Mayor Probst stated, theoretically, they should have known of the City's fee structure. Ms. Bossert stated this is correct but the estimator used the more typical fee structure used by other cities. Ms. Bossert presented permit applications used by other cities that charge for the first sprinkler head and then for each ten additional sprinkler heads. . Mayor Probst asked if the Council would like a recommendation from Staff to consider at the next Council meeting. I