City Council continues debate on increase to service fees; Sets public hearing on July 17, 2012 City Council Meeting

Recently, the Redlands Daily Facts newspaper published news articles on the City of Redlands proposal to increase certain service fees, ranging from pet adoption to building permits and construction.  At its City Council June 25, 2012 Fee Study Workshop, the Redlands Chamber of Commerce Fee Analysis Task Force, presented a list of questions for city staff, MGT of America, Inc. (Fee Study Consultants),  and/or the City Council to provide answers or clarification and supportive documentation/data.  The memoranda and the list of questions are attached at the end of this briefing.

As the Redlands Chamber of Commerce, representing the business community, the concern remains that our community will shoulder the burden of the City’s increase in fees while others receive and continue to enjoy general fund subsidies.

The “Economic & Policy Considerations” contained on Page 3 of the Consultant’s “revised June 21, 2012” report remain essentially unanswered as these considerations relate to the business community, the possible deterrent to establishment of new businesses and creation of  jobs, and an impediment to economic activity and vitality, all of which will reduce general fund revenues to the city and the level and quality of services to our community.

Please voice your concerns at the July 17^th, 2012 City Council public hearing on proposed  Fee Increase Resolution and ask the City Council where are the economic programs and incentives to support the business community.

 Date:          June 25, 2012

To:             City of Redlands City Council

From:         Redlands Chamber of Commerce Fee Analysis Task Force

Subject:     Fee Study Workshop, Comments and Recommendation for

 The Redlands Chamber of Commerce (“Chamber”) supports the City of Redlands(“Council”) in its efforts to update and complete its cost of services study in order to accurately report the true cost of providing various fee-related services to offset or eliminate any general fund subsidy in providing these services.  However, to understand and ascertain the accuracy of the data and the study methodology, the Chamber request that the Council continue the Public Hearing and action on this matter until its August or September Meeting.

 The additional time will provide the Chamber and its membership the opportunity to exam specific details of the study, the methodology, and allow a review of the Fee comparison with other cities as provided by MGT of America, Inc., in the June 21, 2012 revision copy.  The Chamber intends to compare this comparison with another similar report completed by the Kosmont-Rose Institute Survey which indicated that Redlands was “High” in terms of the cost of doing business and whether the recommended increase in fees and the addition of “new fees” would be a deterrent to the establishment of new businesses and industries and be counter to the city’s promotion of economic development, business retention, and economic activities that provides general fund revenues and jobs to the community.

 The Kosmont-Rose Institute Survey reported that two nearby cities were in the top of the list of least expensive cities to do business.  The cities are the City ofHesperiaand the Town ofApple Valleywhereas the cities of Fontana and San Bernardino were at the top of the most expensive cities in the area to do business in.

 The following page contains specific questions for Council, staff, and MGT to address with the Chamber.

Fee Study Questions and Comments 

1. Will the Council revisit the policy issue of cost recovery of recreation fees?

     Collecting 100% of adult services

     Increasing other services      4-10%

                                                                9-20%

2.  When was the date gathered? NPDES date suggests that the city   completely subsidizes this program. Fees are being collected and have been.

3. Why the significant subsidizing in dog license vs. business license? $48K vs.$9K

4. How much does it cost to review plans?

5. What do you mean by “plan review”, “construction”, and “inspection”? There appears to be redundancy.

6. Fire cost recovery ….what is it?

7. Is there a file of 2007/2006 fees that was used as a base? 

8. What is our break even?

9. Why are new fees included in the study? Should they not be considered independently? They appear to suggest the City is already subsidizing these costs.

10. Have some of the “new fees” been applied since the study? NPDES fees    are currently being collected yet not reflecting payment.

 It was agreed that Measure U must be an important part of the discussion as it will have a significant impact on fees and our ability to be competitive.

By Jerry Bean, Redlands City Council Member

           If you have experience with financial investments and would like to serve the residents of Redlands in much the same way as City Council members, you may be interested in the new very part-time job of elected City Treasurer.

            In November, 2010, city voters decided the position should be elected rather than appointed, and in June of this year the City Council designated the position as part time with the city Finance Department staff doing nearly all the work of the Treasury Department.

            The statutory duties of the City Treasurer as prescribed by the California Government Code are limited in nature, and the City Council believed that with city staff handling the day-to-day treasury functions, the position should be that of a part-time oversight treasurer.

            The treasurer will have an office in the Finance Department but will not have to maintain regular office hours or even attend City Council meetings unless necessary.

            But he or she would be expected to meet with the finance staff and other city officials regularly to review investment decisions for conformance with the city’s investment policy, which is a formal policy approved by the City Council. The treasurer could recommend to the City Council that changes be made in the policy, but they could only be implemented after approval by the council.

            The treasurer will be paid $500 a month, the same salary that City Council members receive. The position will not quality for any city employment benefits. Candidates must be registered to vote within Redlands city limits at the time nomination papers are filed.

            This model for the treasurer’s office, with some variations, is in place in many cities in the Inland Empire ranging in size fromBeaumont to San Bernardino and also including Banning, Colton, Fontana, Corona, Ontario, Rialto, Upland, Rancho Cucamonga, Lake Elsinore and Barstow.

            The City Council also considered a full-time treasurer position, but determined that the cost of such a system would be much more expensive than the present system, which is now $222,000 a year less expensive than was budgeted in 2007 when a full-time elected treasurer was in office.

            For more information about the elected city treasurer position, call city Public Information Officer Carl Baker at 909 798-7633.  For information about filing for election, call City Clerk Sam Irwin at 909 798-7531.  Filing of nomination papers begins on July 16 and continues through Aug. 10.

     The Redlands Chamber Shop Redlands program continues to grow as shoppers make their way to the Chamber office on the corner of Redlands Boulevard and Orange Street to turn in receipts for a chance to win $100 valued gifts each month.

        For years the Chamber has been encouraging local shoppers to think about purchasing products locally and using local services whenever possible, explaining that a portion of the tax paid for either goes to the city’s general fund to help pay for city services.

        “When we all shop inRedlands we help pay for our police and fire services.” said Chamber President, Paul Barich. “We help underwrite the cost of park maintainance, street repair, trash pick-up, graffiti removal and so much more. When we purchase outside of the city we are supporting services else where.”

        To help remind shoppers the Chamber recently had posters printed and will be distributing them to local vendors encouraging them to post them in store fronts, on counters on bulletin boards anywhere the public might see them reminding them of the campaign and the importance of spending dollars locally.

        Each month the Chamber offer a prize valued at $100 sponsored by a Chamber member. Shoppers are encouraged to bring original receipts from Redlands businesses showing purchases of $25 or more to the Chamber office. The date on the receipt must reflect the date of the month of the drawing.  The receipts are signed by the Chamber staff and exchanged for a ticket… the customer fills out their phone number and the ticket is placed in a bowl to be a part of the month end drawing. If the receipt is from a Chamber member the customer gets two tickets (Chamber members can be found on the Chamber’s website).

        At the end of the month a drawing takes place for the $100 prize. The winner is announced on the Chamber’s website, in an email blast and in the Redlands Quarterly Magazine Chamber page. The winner has 48 hours to redeem the prize. If the prize is not redeemed within 48 hours a second drawing will take place.

        “We started the program in January and each month more and more people hear about it and are playing.” reported Barich. “We have given away $100 Visa and Master Card gift cards, $100 gas cards, restaurant gift certificates, jewelry gift certificates, fabulous prizes. It’s been great fun and we hope a great incentive for people to think Redlands first, when shopping.”

        Before you make a purchase ask yourself if you could buy local first. Your business is appreciated locally!

     Within this wonderful bedroom community of Redlands and the ever changing market, Perrie Mundy continues to remain on top. She has been a real estate broker representing buyers and sellers for over 35 years with unparalleled local market expertise and business negotiation skills. After owning her own Real Estate firm Perrie realized her greatest joy was personal interaction with her clients who become “family” for a steadfast referral base. Her passion for real estate is part of her soul, continually going the extra mile. Her enthusiasm is always positive. Her staff is highly, trained, motivated, committed and always available.

        Perrie’s highest priority is customer service and the satisfaction of her clients. For maximum clientele exposure she consistently maintains sensational advertising.

        Perrie has been affiliated with R/Max Advantage for 13 years as an independent broker. Ranked consistently with Re/Max Advantage in the top 1% both national and internationally for product achievement, Perrie recently received theRe/Max International Circleof Legends Award, the highest honor given by Re/Max. Recently certified for the Luxury Home Market and DRS Agent this outstanding accomplishment earned through knowledge, experience and providing total quality service always.

        Perrie Mundy believes in every economic downturn there are golden opportunities and she wants to help you find yours. Call Perrie at the Perry Mundy Group to handle your real estate needs with the utmost respect and confidentiality. The office is located in a 100 year old Victorian building at214 East Olive Ave., call Perrie at 307-0616 or visit the website at Redlandsrealestate.com