City Council Minutes 2011 10 18 - Laserfiche WebLink

Home Browse Search

City Council Meeting Minutes October 18, 2011 • Page 12 of 17 Mayor Sisk opened the public hearing and requested a staff presentation. Economic Development Director Star explained Ordinance No. 1603, Series 2011 authorizes the City Manager to set fees and charges for goods and services provided by the City in those cases when the fees are not otherwise set by the City Council. In some cases, the City Manager has been previously defined as the one setting fees. In some cases, a specific director sets the fees. And yet in other cases, the authority is not defined. The ordinance expands an existing code section where the City Manager's duties are listed to add the authority to set fees and charges not otherwise set by the City Council. The ordinance allows for fees to recover costs and defray expenses, and not become a mechanism for raising revenue. The ordinance allows the City Manager to name a designee. Staff recommended approval of Ordinance No. 1603, Series 2011. PUBLIC COMMENT Steve Costello, 902 Grove Drive, Louisville, CO had two issues with Ordinance No. 1603, Series 2011, 1) Procedurally and 2) Constitutional. He voiced belief the public was not given sufficient information on the ordinance. He opposed the responsibilities of the City Council being given to the City Manager, a non-elected official. He felt there was no public discussion on the fee schedule. He asked what problem is being resolved by relinquishing Council's power. He urged Council to deny the ordinance. • City Manager Fleming responded to the concerns raised by Mr. Costello. He explained the City Council has to decide on significant policy issues and should not necessarily be charged with the responsibility of deciding on nominal fees for copies or late library fines. Those concerns for such fees can be handled at the staff level or if residents wish, they can contact their Council representative. He suggested the City publish all the fees on the City's Web Page. The intent is to cover the City's costs. COUNCIL COMMENTS Councilors Muckle asked why a fee schedule updated every year could not be approved by resolution. Councilor Sackett agreed. He voiced his confidence in the City staff but opposed the ordinance. Mayor Pro Tem Marsella stated she was not familiar with all the City's fees hidden in the ordinances. She supported having the City Manager set the fees by schedule annually, and stated it would make the entire fee process more transparent. Mayor Sisk explained the Council has delegated the fees to the City Manager and the all the fees will be published. He supported the ordinance and publishing the fee schedule on an annual basis. Mayor Sisk requested public comment and hearing none, closed the public hearing. •