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many of its map fee categories to consolidate the fee schedule and make it more user- <br /> friendly. <br /> Improvement plan checking represents a large portion of the subsidy in this division. <br /> Improvement plan checking includes review, modification and approval of the <br /> construction plans for both on-site and off-site public and private improvements such as <br /> roads, curbs, gutters, utilities (water, sewer, gas and electric), storm drains, street <br /> lighting, traffic improvements, and other appurtenances. In 1992 when the last fee <br /> increase was contemplated, the plan was to resolve an inconsistency that exists in the <br /> City's Master Fee Schedule; however, as indicated earlier, due to the economic <br /> downturn at that time the fee increases were not implemented. The current fee <br /> schedule includes a fee for engineering services related only to off-site public <br /> improvements equal to 2% of the value of these improvements; however, it does not <br /> have a fee for improvement plan checking for all the remaining improvements. Off-site <br /> public improvements are a small portion of the on-site and off-site public and private <br /> improvements related to a project. Therefore, the fee should be charged for all on-site <br /> and off-site private and public improvements related to a project. The recommended fee <br /> schedule proposes to correct this inconsistency in the Master Fee Schedule. By doing <br /> this, a majority of the subsidy by the General Fund to this division is mitigated. <br /> Fire Prevention <br /> Fire Prevention services are provided by the Livermore-Pleasanton Fire Department <br /> (LPFD). The total cost of all fire prevention services provided by LPFD to Pleasanton <br /> entities is approximately $14 million. The total cost of fee-related services is <br /> approximately $700,000. The City's current fee revenue totals approximately $170,000 <br /> for a cost recovery rate of 24%. Currently a majority of this revenue is collected for new <br /> construction and tenant improvements, while annual fire inspections are provided free of <br /> charge. It is important to note that almost all of the jurisdictions in California charge fees <br /> for annual fire inspections; including Livermore. PRM worked with Livermore to develop <br /> their fee structure for fire inspection services provided by LPFD. The fees were adopted <br /> by the Livermore City Council in May 2008. The proposal is to have the same fire <br /> inspection fee schedule that Livermore adopted. This is because the same services are <br /> provided to both jurisdictions by the same staff. The only logical way to differentiate <br /> between the two if that is the desire of the Council would be for Pleasanton to continue <br /> to subsidize the fire prevention services provided by LPFD's staff to Pleasanton <br /> businesses. That is a decision that the Council could make on fire prevention fees as <br /> well as any of the other proposed fees. <br /> Highlights of the fire prevention analysis are: <br /> • The current cost recovery rate of 24% is in the very low range compared <br /> to other jurisdictions. Livermore recovers 100% of costs for the same <br /> services provided by the same staff (LPFD). <br /> • By instituting fees at full cost recovery, the current general fund subsidy of <br /> approximately $530,000 will be eliminated. <br /> • The recommended fee increases have minimal impact on new <br /> construction and tenant improvement fees. <br /> Page 4 of 8 <br />