Minutes - Council Work Session - 10/26/2021

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Councilmember Specht asked for clarification about the table. Finance Director Lund answered the 2022 Proposed Column lists all changes in fees regarding building, water rates, those sorts of things. Building Official Szykulski commented that the goal is to be close to neighboring cities. They don’t want to be high, but where they are at with a lot of the fixed fees is pretty low compared to some of the neighboring cities, noting it is a balance. City Administrator Ulrich asked for clarification regarding the issue that a couple of cities did not appear to have planned check fees, if the information wasn’t available or because it is included in another place. Building Official Szykulski answered a lot of them are buried and hard to find so staff spent a lot of time on city webpages trying to find this information. For example, on the Anoka website it says “Plan Check, per state building code.” Finance Director Lund added that 65% is the standard. Building Official Szykulski agreed and added the big builder, Capstone, does the Repetitive Plan Fee so a lot of the builders have similar plans which are reviewed through the Master Plan and all additional plan submittals are at 25%. Councilmember Riley asked for clarification, that this is an increase in the City’s fees but it is still in line with neighboring cities. Building Official Szykulski confirmed this. Councilmember Musgrove asked about some fees in neighboring cities that differ so it may be difficult to find an average. For example, the septic fees. She asked, for clarification, about increases specific to Ramsey and what the increase encompasses. She also asked for an explanation whether residents pay the fees when they are already paying a salary and how the fee covers the cost better. Building Official Szykulski answered that septic systems are quite involved and have several inspections that require significant staff time. This time of year, there is a high demand for it as well. He noted the building code says “service fees are commensurate to the service provided.” Councilmember Musgrove asked for further clarification on the larger process, stating the septic was just an example. She wanted an idea of where the money was going that they are asking the residents to pay with the fees. Councilmember Musgrove referenced the escrow fees and asked about erosion control, noting the builders already require a fee for that and asked why the City would have an erosion control fee listed as well. City Council Work Session / October 26, 2021 Page 2 of 15