SR-02-26-2013-3BCity Council Meeting: February 26, 2013
Agenda Item: S—
To: Mayor and City Council
From: Nancy Johnson, Fire Marshal
Subject: Resolution establishing responsibility for payment for annual fire
inspections of commercial buildings
Recommended Action
Staff recommends that the City Council approve the attached resolution to require that
billings for annual fire inspections be issued to property owners based on the current fee
schedule for commercial buildings.
Executive Summary
This report presents information and requests adoption establishing that building
owners be billed directly for the all fees for annual fire inspections of their buildings
including tenant units and suites.
Background
On September 27, 2011, the Council adopted Resolution No. 10610 (CCS), which set
the fees associated with annual fire inspections. Using the fee schedule set forth in
Resolution No. 10610 (CCS), staff billed tenants of commercial structures for
inspections conducted in the tenant's leased space.
Discussion
It has come to staff's attention that certain State law provisions require the City to bill
property owners of certain specified commercial structures, including, but not limited to,
high rise buildings, hotels, motels, and lodging houses for all such annual inspections,
including individual spaces rented to tenants. A reasonable reading of other State law
provisions directs the City to bill property owners of all commercial structures in a similar
manner. Accordingly, in the interest of complying with State law, providing property
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owners with clarity, and conducting a uniform billing program, staff recommends that
property owners of all commercial structures in the City be billed directly for all fire
inspections conducted on the property, including inspections conducted in spaces
rented to tenants.
On December 1, 2012, the Finance Department began sending out a letter to all
building owners explaining the change from billing individual tenants for fire inspections
in their suites and units to now billing building owners for all fire inspections in their
buildings.
Adopting the attached resolution would authorize staff to bill property owners for annual
fire inspection fees, including those conducted in spaces rented out to tenants,
consistent with State law. This practice would also be consistent with the billing practice
currently being used for all other inspection types.
Financial Impacts & Budget Actions
There is no immediate financial or budget action necessary as a result of the
recommended action.
Prepared by: Nancy Johnson, Fire Marshal
Scott Ferguson
Director, Fire Department
Attachments:
Proposed Resolution
Fee Schedule July 1, 2012
M
Forwarded to Council:
Rod Gould
City Manager
Reference Resolution No.
10733 (CCS)