HomeMy WebLinkAbout10B - Registration Fee for the City's Online Right-of-Way Permitting Program
MEETING DATE:
AGENDA #:
PREPARED BY:
AGENDA ITEM:
DISCUSSION:
ISSUES:
MARCH 3, 2008
10 B
STEVE ALBRECHT, DIRECTOR OF PUBLIC WORKS
CONSIDER APPROVAL OF A RESOLUTION APPROVING A REGISTRATION
FEE FOR THE CITY'S ONLINE RIGHT-OF-WAY PERMITTING PROGRAM
Introduction
The purpose of this agenda item is for the City Council to approve a registration
fee for the City's online right-of-way permitting program.
Historv
In the spring of 2008 the City will be implementing an online permitting program
for ROW permits. This program will allow contractors to register and apply for
permits online. It will also allow contractors to monitor permit status online. City
residents and staff will have the ability to locate and track permits and activities
online as well. This program provides significantly better customer service and
access to information by residents and contractors. Additionally this program
should ultimately allow staff to spend less time on permits and provide access to
permit information to all City Staff.
Current Circumstances
The City currently issues about 100 right-of-way permits annually. Contractors
are currently required to register at City hall. Additionally staff must manually
track permit status and insurance certificates. The proposed online system will
allow the City to track all aspects of permits better while providing better access
and service to residents and contractors. The City will spend $4,800 annually to
operate the on-line service. This funding is allocated from the Engineering,
Water and Sewer Department operating budget professional services. Staff time
to manage registration is not included in this amount. Based on staff time
required to manage the registration system and to monitor insurance certificates
Staff is recommending an annual registration fee of $25 for all contractors
desiring to complete activities within the City's right-of-way.
If the results of this program are favorable staff proposes to implement online
permitting for Grading and Driveway permits in 2009. This will require ordinance
amendments as registration by contractors completing this work is not currently
required.
The fee would not apply to Xcel Energy, SPUC, MVEC, Reliant Energy or
Mediacom or their subcontactors as these companies currently pay a Franchise
Fee to the City. Currently the City does not charge a registration fee but tracks
processes registrations and tracks insurance. The individual permit fee which is
currently $250 only covers the cost of permit processing and City Staff time for
inspection. While the fee will not cover all of the City's Registration fee program
costs it will help defray the current costs.
www.cityofpriorlake.com
Phone 952.'44T9800 I Fax 952.447.4245
FINANCIAL The total revenues generated by this fee are estimated to be $500 to $750
IMPACT: annually which will cover the costs of administering the registration system.
ALTERNATIVES: The alternatives are as follows:
1. Adopt a resolution authorizing staff implement a $25 Right-of-Way
registration fee.
2. Table the Resolution for a specific reason.
3. Deny the Resolution.
RECOMMENDED Alternative # 1
MOTION:
RESOLUTION APPROVING A REGISTRATION FEE FOR THE CITY'S ONLINE RIGHT-OF-WAY
PERMITTING PROGRAM
Motion By:
Second By:
WHEREAS, The City currently requires registration of all contractors annually for right-of-way
permits; and
WHEREAS, The City will be operating an online permitting program in 2008 to provide better
customer service and information accessibility to staff and the public; and,
WHEREAS, City Staff currently reviews registrations and tracks insurance without charging a fee;
and
WHEREAS, The City believes a fee should be charged for registration to defray the costs of
operating the program particularly the registration process; and
WHEREAS, The City will charge an annual registration fee of $25 per contractor excluding Xcel
Energy, SPUC, MVEC, Reliant Energy and Mediacom and their authorized
subcontractors who pay an annual franchise fee to the City.
NOW THEREFORE, BE IT HEREBY RESOLVED BY THE CITY COUNCIL OF PRIOR LAKE,
MINNESOTA as follows:
1. The recitals set forth above are incorporated herein.
2. The City Staff is authorized to implement the annual $25 registration fee for right-of-way permitting.
PASSED AND ADOPTED THIS 3rd DAY OF MARCH 2008.
Haugen Haugen
Erickson Erickson
Hedberg Hedberg
LeMair LeMair
Millar Millar
YES
NO
Frank Boyles, City Manager
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Phone 952.447.9800 / Fax 952.447.4245