Title
Resolution to Approve Application Fee for Backyard Chickens Permit
Memorandum
On January 20, 2015, Ordinance 14-28 modified the Backyard Chicken permit to include a one-year permit (up to 2 hens) or a five-year permit (up to 6 hens). The one-year permit does not require neighbor notification. The five-year permit changes existing application procedures by removing the "neighbor waiver" requirement and requiring the City Clerk to notify neighbors and offer a 21-day period to submit objections to the application.
Due to the changes in the application procedures and the two different permit options, the City Clerk's Office is recommending new fees be set to match the application and processing costs of the two different permits. The attached resolution for your consideration and approval will set the permit application fee at $20.00 for a one-year permit to keep up to 2 hens, without neighbor notification. A $55.00 fee for a five-year permit to keep up to 6 hens is recommended due to the increased staff time and resources required to process the five-year permit and notify neighbors.
Ordinance No. 08-19 (Animals - Backyard Chickens) was approved by City Council on June 2, 2008 and was effective August 7, 2008. At that time, a fee for a five-year permit was set at $20.00 for keeping up to four hens.
The new permit process is effective April 6, 2015 and it is recommended that the fees be effective that date as well.
Staff requests your approval of the proposed fees.
Staff
Prepared by: Jacqueline Beaudry, City Clerk
Approved by: Steven D. Powers, City Administrator
Body
Whereas, Ordinance No. 08-19 was approved by City Council on June 2, 2008 allowing City residents to keep backyard chickens with a City-issued permit;
Whereas, A fee of $20.00 for the issuance of a 5-year permit, was approved at that time;
Whereas, Ordinance No. 14-28 was approved by City Council on January 20, 2015 and modified the backyard chicken permit process to include a one-year permit for two hens and a five-year permit for up to six hens;
Whereas, The five-year permit requires the City Clerk to notify adjacent neighbors of the application and track any objections to the permit;
Whereas, A public hearing on the proposed fees was conducted on March 16, 2015;
RESOLVED, That a $20 application fee for the one-year permit to keep 2 backyard chickens and a $55 application fee for the five-year permit to keep up to 6 backyard chickens be approved and be effective April 6, 2015; and
RESOLVED, That City Council authorizes the City Administrator and City Clerk to take all necessary administrative actions to implement this resolution.