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MINUTES Page 10 City or San Leandro Ci2:.~:olll1cil and San Lc~.~dro Redevelopn2?llt Agency Jojnt_.~pccial Meeting-=April12, 2004 Cornmittee regarding ways to address the vacancy rate. He indicated that thc berthing fees are being increased in an attempt to cover operating expenses but that staff would react if the vacancy rates caused a loss ofrevcnue. Councilmember Santos suggested that the berthing fee incrcases be de[C1Tcd until meetings can bc held with the San Leandro Yacht Club and Spinnaker Yacht Club. lIe stated be was also made aware that the City made repairs to the docks on the San Leandro Yacht Club side while the clocks on the Spinnaker sidc are still in need of repair. Mr. Schilling acknowledged the lateness of the notification to the belihers and that the lines of communication should he opened. Vicc Mayor Glaze agreed that there is a need for communication, and proper noticc should bc given to the berthers. He stated that the City needs to move away from subsidizing thc Marina berthers, and he lccls the different fee structure for non-residents is fair. Vice Mayor Glaze asked if the fire inspection fees are cost-covering. Mr. Schilling noted that while the fee increases are sib'l1iJicant, they only cover about $200,000 of the $587,000 cost of the contracted service. However, the proposed fees are in the range of those charged by other cities and will bring the City closer to cost recovery while maintaining the City's philosophy ofheing business-friendly. Councilmember Grant asked why the planning fees have increased so dramatically and how the fees relate to those chm"ged by other cities. Mr. Schilling stated that staff now has cnough experience with the site plan review process to better assess the true cost of the work perlclll11ed. While the fee increases are large, the revenue generated will cover only about 5001.) of the cost 0 f service. Councilmember Grant asked about site plan review. Mr. Horn stated that fees proposed arc comparable to other cities which provide the same level of review. COllncilmember Grant asked how the fees would apply to new housing developments. Mr. Ham noted that new housing is a difTercnt category and direct costs for time and materials ean be charged. Councilmember Grant asked how San Leandro's berthing fees compare with other cities. Marina Manager Del MaIie Snodgrass reported that of 43 marinas surveyed, San Leandro is 3rd from the bottom. If the bClihing rates were increased as proposed, San Leandro would still be 91h from the bottom. Council member Grant also commented that she received emails from people who had received late notice of the meeting. Council member Badger pointed out that when economic times werc good, the City's General Fund subsidized maI1Y of our operations, and it can no longer afford to do that. Mr. .Jennanis stated that most cities are raising their fees for the very reason articulated by Councilmember Badger. The Council is now challenged with continuing to provide needed services with less revenue, and so must raise fees to help cover the cost of those services. He noted that the Council had adopted the practice in the past of charging higher fees for non-residents than for residents lor services such as recreation programs and the gall course.