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HomeMy WebLinkAboutOrdinance 6850113 West Mountain Street Fayetteville, AR 72701 (479) 575-8323 Ordinance: 6850 File Number: 2025-294 ADMINISTRATIVE ITEM (AMEND CHAPTER 94 - FIRE PREVENTION): AN ORDINANCE TO AMEND CHAPTER 94, FIRE PREVENTION OF THE FAYETTEVILLE CODE OF ORDINANCES TO MODIFY EXISTING FEES AND CREATE A FEE SCHEDULE WHEREAS, Fayetteville has a long and well -established history of charging user fees for a number of City services, including those associated with development review; and WHEREAS, in February 2023, the City Council approved a contract with MGT for an updated user fee study whose core objectives include evaluating and improving the current fee structure, defining the cost of City services, and recommending fees based on the cost of service; and WHEREAS, MGT completed a review of City development review -related services, the hourly rates of staff providing those services, and the time providing each service in six areas that include Building Safety, Business Licensing, Engineering, Fire, Planning, and Water & Sewer; and WHEREAS, the most prominent finding of the study is a significant discrepancy between the cost of services provided and the user fees charged, totaling approximately $2,679,307.00; and WHEREAS, among the groups included in the study, the Fire Marshal's Office is unique for not currently collecting fees despite offering a number of development -related and commercial -oriented services, ranging from permits for blasting or pyrotechnic events to reviewing fire alarm and sprinkler system design; and WHEREAS, on July 2, 2024, the City Council passed Resolution 182-24 expressing intent to implement the study's findings; and WHEREAS, the proposed amendments to Chapter 94, Fire Prevention include formalization of several existing services, including pyrotechnic and special effects, blasting, fire performance, tent inspection permits, and fire alarm and fire sprinkler system permits; and WHEREAS, fees will be implemented at 1/3rd of the recommended fee amount; and WHEREAS, implementation of the new fees will require manual entry by staff and, therefore, staff has proposed a staggered rollout during which time users may be charged the previous fee or the updated fee. NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT ORDAINED BY THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF FAYETTEVILLE, ARKANSAS: Page 1 Ordinance: 6850 File Number: 2025-294 Section 1: That the City Council of the City of Fayetteville, Arkansas hereby amends § 94.09 (B) Sale of Fireworks by changing the permit fee from $500.00 to $225.00 per location and one-half (1/2) of the permit fee from $250.00 to $112.50 that shall be placed in a revenue account. Section 2: That the City Council of the City of Fayetteville, Arkansas hereby repeals § 94.10 Fees/Schedule and enacts a new § 94.10 as follows: "94.10 Fees/Schedule A. Fees. Fees shall be imposed, as set forth below, to cover a portion of the cost incurred in connection with processing applications, plan reviews, amendments, permits, acceptance inspections and other matters pertaining to fire protection and fire protection systems in the City of Fayetteville. B. Fee Schedule. Indoor Pyrotechnic and Special Effects Permit $34.00 Blasting Permit $34.00 Fire Alarm and Detection System Permit $119.00 Fire Sprinkler System Permit (NFPA 13 or NFPA 13R systems) $119.00 Fire Sprinkler System Permit (NFPA 13D system) $10.00 Alternative Automatic Fire Extinguishing System Permit $25.00 Fire Performance Permit $8.00 Tent Inspection Permit $34.00 Section 3: That the City Council of the City of Fayetteville, Arkansas hereby authorizes staff to stagger the implementation of the fees provided in Sections 1 and 2 so that those fees shall not exceed the amounts set forth in those sections for a period of four weeks after the effective date of this ordinance. At the end of the four -week period, those fees shall be set at the amounts set forth in Exhibit A. PASSED and APPROVED on March 18, 2025 Approved: Molly Rawn, Mayor Attest: Kara Paxton, City Clerk Treasurer This publication was paid for by the City Clerk -Treasurer of the City of Fayetteville, Arkansas. Amount Paid: $299.44 Page 2 CITY OF FAYETTEVILLE ARKANSAS MEETING OF MARCH 18, 2025 CITY COUNCIL MEMO TO: Mayor Rawn and City Council THRU: Keith Macedo, Interim Chief of Staff FROM: Jonathan Curth, Development Services Director SUBJECT: ADMINISTRATIVE ITEM (AMEND CHAPTER 94 - FIRE PREVENTION): 2025-294 RECOMMENDATION: City staff recommend approval of an amendment to Chapter 94, Fire Prevention of the Code of Ordinances as described in Exhibit 'A'. BACKGROUND: The City has a long and well -established history of charging user fees for a number of City services, including those associated with development review. The most recent action taken in this regards occurred in February 2023 when the City Council approved a contract with MGT for an updated user fee study. Core objectives of the study include evaluating and improving the current fee structure, defining the cost of City services, and recommending fees based on the cost of service. MGT completed a review of City development review -related services, the hourly rates of staff providing those services, and the time providing each service in six areas. These include Building Safety, Business Licensing, Engineering, Fire, Planning, and Water & Sewer. The most prominent finding of the study is a significant discrepancy between the cost of services provided and the user fees charged, totaling approximately $2,679,307. Among the groups included in the study, the Fire Marshal's Office is unique for not currently collecting fees despite offering a number of development -related and commercial -oriented services, ranging from permits for blasting or pyrotechnic events to reviewing fire alarm and sprinkler system design. Recovery `23/'24 Revenue Cost Subsidy Fire: 0% $- $45,580 $45,580 All User Fees: 55% $2,679,307 $4,843,998 $2,164,691 This information along with the larger user fee study was shared with the City Council at their June 25th Agenda Session, after which a resolution was adopted at the Council's July 2nd meeting expressing intent to implement the study's findings (attached; Resolution 182-24). DISCUSSION: The proposed amendment to Chapter 94, Fees includes the following: • Formalization of several existing services including: o Pyrotechnic and special effect, blasting, fire performance, and tent inspection permits o Fire alarm and fire sprinkler system permits Mailing address: 113 W. Mountain Street www.fayetteville-ar.gov Fayetteville, AR 72701 • Fees will be implemented at 1/3rd of the recommended fee amount Recognizing the scope of the changes proposed in the overall user fee study, staff is recommending a staggered implementation of fees, with those proposed herein to be effective four weeks from the standard effectiveness date of an ordinance. BUDGET/STAFF IMPACT: ATTACHMENTS: SRF (#3) , Exhibit A (#4), 94.09 & 94.10 Strikethrough & Redlines (#5), 182-24 Resolution (#6) Mailing address: 113 W. Mountain Street www.fayetteville-ar.gov Fayetteville, AR 72701 City of Fayetteville, Arkansas 113 West Mountain Street Fayetteville, AR 72701 (479) 575-8323 Legislation Text File #: 2025-294 ADMINISTRATIVE ITEM (AMEND CHAPTER 94 - FIRE PREVENTION): AN ORDINANCE TO AMEND CHAPTER 94, FIRE PREVENTION OF THE FAYETTEVILLE CODE OF ORDINANCES TO MODIFY EXISTING FEES AND CREATE A FEE SCHEDULE WHEREAS, Fayetteville has a long and well -established history of charging user fees for a number of City services, including those associated with development review; and WHEREAS, in February 2023, the City Council approved a contract with MGT for an updated user fee study whose core objectives include evaluating and improving the current fee structure, defining the cost of City services, and recommending fees based on the cost of service; and WHEREAS, MGT completed a review of City development review -related services, the hourly rates of staff providing those services, and the time providing each service in six areas that include Building Safety, Business Licensing, Engineering, Fire, Planning, and Water & Sewer; and WHEREAS, the most prominent finding of the study is a significant discrepancy between the cost of services provided and the user fees charged, totaling approximately $2,679,307.00; and WHEREAS, among the groups included in the study, the Fire Marshal's Office is unique for not currently collecting fees despite offering a number of development -related and commercial -oriented services, ranging from permits for blasting or pyrotechnic events to reviewing fire alarm and sprinkler system design; and WHEREAS, on July 2, 2024, the City Council passed Resolution 182-24 expressing intent to implement the study's findings; and WHEREAS, the proposed amendments to Chapter 94, Fire Prevention include formalization of several existing services, including pyrotechnic and special effects, blasting, fire performance, tent inspection permits, and fire alarm and fire sprinkler system permits; and WHEREAS, fees will be implemented at 1/3rd of the recommended fee amount; and WHEREAS, implementation of the new fees will require manual entry by staff and, therefore, staff has proposed a staggered rollout during which time users may be charged the previous fee or the updated fee. Page 1 Ordinance: 6850 File Number: 2025-294 NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT ORDAINED BY THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF FAYETTEVILLE, ARKANSAS: Section 1: That the City Council of the City of Fayetteville, Arkansas hereby amends § 94.09 (B) Sale of Fireworks by changing the permit fee from $500.00 to $225.00 per location and one-half (1/2) of the permit fee from $250.00 to $112.50 that shall be placed in a revenue account. Section 2: That the City Council of the City of Fayetteville, Arkansas hereby repeals § 94.10 Fees/Schedule and enacts a new § 94.10 as follows: "94.10 Fees/Schedule A. Fees. Fees shall be imposed, as set forth below, to cover a portion of the cost incurred in connection with processing applications, plan reviews, amendments, permits, acceptance inspections and other matters pertaining to fire protection and fire protection systems in the City of Fayetteville. B. Fee Schedule. Indoor Pyrotechnic and Special Effects Permit $34.00 Blasting Permit $34.00 Fire Alarm and Detection System Permit $119.00 Fire Sprinkler System Permit (NFPA 13 or NFPA 13R systems) $119.00 Fire Sprinkler System Permit (NFPA 13D system) $10.00 Alternative Automatic Fire Extinguishing System Permit $25.00 Fire Performance Permit $8.00 Tent Inspection Permit $34.00 Section 3: That the City Council of the City of Fayetteville, Arkansas hereby authorizes staff to stagger the implementation of the fees provided in Sections 1 and 2 so that those fees shall not exceed the amounts set forth in those sections for a period of four weeks after the effective date of this ordinance. At the end of the four -week period, those fees shall be set at the amounts set forth in Exhibit A. Page 2 City of Fayetteville Staff Review Form 2025-294 Item ID 3/18/2025 City Council Meeting Date - Agenda Item Only N/A for Non -Agenda Item Jonathan Curth 2/28/2025 DEVELOPMENT SERVICES (620) Submitted By Submitted Date Division / Department Action Recommendation: Administrative Item (Amend Chapter 94 - Fire Prevention): Submitted by CITY STAFF. The proposed code change will amend Chapter 94, Fire Prevention to modify existing fees and create a fee schedule. Budget Impact: Account Number Fund Project Number Project Title Budgeted Item? No Total Amended Budget $ - Expenses (Actual+Encum) $ - Available Budget Does item have a direct cost? No Item Cost Is a Budget Adjustment attached? No Budget Adjustment $ - Remaining Budget V20221130 Purchase Order Number: Previous Ordinance or Resolution # Change Order Number: Approval Date: Original Contract Number: Comments: 94.09 Sale Of Fireworks (A) No person shall sell or distribute any firecrackers, sky rockets, bottle rockets, sparklers, roman candles, or any other explosive used for amusement purposes, or any other device or composition used to obtain visible or audible pyrotechnic display, all commonly known as fireworks, except as specifically set out herein. (B) Fireworks which are not prohibited under state or federal law and which are considered consumer fireworks as defined under federal law and regulations (27 C.F.R. § 555.11) may be sold between June 28th and July 5th of each year, subject to the provisions set out herein. Any person desiring to sell fireworks must obtain a permit. The fee for each permit shall be $225.00 per location. One-half (%) of the permit fee ($112.50) shall be placed in a revenue account of the Fayetteville Fire Department to cover the cost of fire inspections of locations where fireworks are sold. Before a permit to sell fireworks is issued, the person applying for the permit must show proof that such location will be insured by a licensed insurance company for $1,000,000.00 premises liability. A vendor must contact the Fayetteville Fire Department and arrange for an inspection to ensure compliance with this Code and any other applicable fire code requirements, prior to the sale of fireworks. (C) No fireworks shall be sold or stored within a permanent structure. Furthermore, no fireworks stand shall be located at any place other than one in full compliance with all provisions of law. (D) Fireworks stands shall not be located within 250 feet of a fuel dispensing facility and must be set back at least 50 feet from the nearest portion of the street or highway. (E) Fireworks shall not be sold to a person less than sixteen (16) years of age. (Ord. No. 5320, 5-18-10) 91.10 Fees/Schedule (A) Fees. Fees shall be imposed, as set forth below, to cover a portion of the cost incurred in connection with processing applications, plan reviews, amendments, permits, acceptance inspections and other matters pertaining to fire protection and fire protection systems in the City of Fayetteville. (B) Fee Schedule. Indoor Pyrotechnic and Special Effects Permit $34.00 Blasting Permit $34.00 Fire Alarm and Detection System Permit $119.00 Fire Sprinkler System Permit (NFPA 13 or NFPA 13R systems) $119.00 Fire Sprinkler System Permit (NFPA 13D system) $10.00 Alternative Automatic Fire Extinguishing System Permit $25.00 Fire Performance Permit $8.00 Tent Inspection Permit $34.00 (Supp. No. 35) Created: 2024-12-12 11:47:13 [EST] Page 1 of 1 94.09 Sale Of Fireworks (A) No person shall sell or distribute any firecrackers, sky rockets, bottle rockets, sparklers, roman candles, or any other explosive used for amusement purposes, or any other device or composition used to obtain visible or audible pyrotechnic display, all commonly known as fireworks, except as specifically set out herein. (B) Fireworks which are not prohibited under state or federal law and which are considered consumer fireworks as defined under federal law and regulations (27 C.F.R. § 555.11) may be sold between June 28th and July 5th of each year, subject to the provisions set out herein. Any person desiring to sell fireworks must obtain a permit. The fee for each permit shall be $51-00225.00 per location. One-half (%) of the permit fee ($250112.0050) shall be placed in a revenue account of the Fayetteville Fire Department to cover the cost of fire inspections of locations where fireworks are sold. Before a permit to sell fireworks is issued, the person applying for the permit must show proof that such location will be insured by a licensed insurance company for $1,000,000.00 premises liability. A vendor must contact the Fayetteville Fire Department and arrange for an inspection to ensure compliance with this Code and any other applicable fire code requirements, prior to the sale of fireworks. (C) No fireworks shall be sold or stored within a permanent structure. Furthermore, no fireworks stand shall be located at any place other than one in full compliance with all provisions of law. (D) Fireworks stands shall not be located within 250 feet of a fuel dispensing facility and must be set back at least 50 feet from the nearest portion of the street or highway. (E) Fireworks shall not be sold to a person less than sixteen (16) years of age. (Ord. No. 5320, 5-18-10) 91.10 Fees/Schedule (A) Fees. Fees shall be imposed, as set forth below, to cover a portion of the cost incurred in connection with processing applications, plan reviews, amendments, permits, acceptance inspections and other matters pertaining to fire protection and fire protection systems in the City of Fayetteville. (B) Fee Schedule. Indoor Pyrotechnic and Special Effects Permit 34.00 Blasting Permit 34.00 Fire Alarm and Detection System Permit 119.00 Fire Sprinkler System Permit (NFPA 13 or NFPA 13R 119.00 s stems Fire Sprinkler System Permit (NFPA 13D system) 10.00 Alternative Automatic Fire Extinguishing System 25.00 Permit Fire Performance Permit 8.00 Tent Inspection Permit 34.00 (Supp. No. 35) Created: 2024-12-12 11:47:13 [EST] Page 1 of 1 113 West Mountain Street Fayetteville, AR 72701 (479) 575-8323 Resolution: 182-24 File Number: 2024-222 IMPLEMENT USER FEE STUDY RECOMMENDATIONS (RESOLUTION OF INTENT): A RESOLUTION OF INTENT TO IMPLEMENT THE RECOMMENDATIONS OF THE 2024 USER FEE STUDY INCLUDING A FULL COST RECOVERY MODEL, ESTABLISHMENT OF A MASTER FEE SCHEDULE, AND ANNUAL ADJUSTMENT WHEREAS, Fayetteville has a long and well -established history of charging user fees for a number of City services, including those associated with development review; and WHEREAS, documentation from as early as the 1980s indicates codified fees for project classes that are still familiar today: lot splits, preliminary plats, large scale developments, and others; and WHEREAS, in mid-1991, a formal user fee study was initiated but, following a change in the form of Fayetteville's form of municipal government between 1991 and 1992, implementation was delayed with only portions adopted in the mid-1990's; and WHEREAS, in 2003, the City Council approved a contract for a second user fee study, an element of which focused on Planning and Building Safety; and WHEREAS, in June 2005, the City Council approved a User Fee Cost Recovery Policy for City Services, but no discernable action was taken, with many fees from 2024 remaining as they existed in 2004; and WHEREAS, in February 2023, the City Council approved a contract with MGT for an updated user fee study whose core objectives include evaluating and improving the current fee structure, defining the cost of City services, and recommending fees based on the cost of service. NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED BY THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF FAYETTEVILLE, ARKANSAS: Section 1: That the City Council of the City of Fayetteville, Arkansas hereby expresses its intent to implement the recommendations of the 2024 User Fee Study including a full cost recovery model, establishment of a master fee schedule, and annual adjustment. PASSED and APPROVED on July 2, 2024 Page 1 Resolution: 182-24 File Number: 2024-222 Page 2 Attest: ; ����• i 1 F� "'�►,• Kara Paxton, City Cl rk Treasurer �P);= Cj .��� ��NG i 0IA Form v1.54 • NVN AN. R CEI'VE 03/24/2025 media CITY OF FAYETTEViLLE CITY CLERK'S OFFICE Account#: NWCL5004205 Company: CITY OF FAYETTEVILLE-CLERKS OFFI 113 W MOUNTAIN FAYETTEVILLE,AR 72701 Ad number#: 491967 PO#: Matter of: ORD 6850 AFFIDAVIT•STATE OF ARKANSAS 1, Maria Hernandez-Lopez .do solemnly swear that I am the Legal Clerk of the NWA Democrat Gazette,a daily newspaper printed and published in WASHINGTONBENTON county,State of ARKANSAS;that I was so related to this publication at and during the publication of the annexed legal advertisement in the matter of: ORD 6850 Pending in the court,in said County,and at the dates of the several publications of said advertisement stated below,and that during said periods and at said dates.said newspaper was printed and had a bona fide circulation in said County. that said newspaper had been regularly printed and published in said county,and had a bona fide circulation therein for the period of one month before the date of the first publication of said advertisement;and that said advertisement was published in the regular daily issues of said newspaper as stated below. And that there is due or has been paid the NWA Democrat Gazette for publication the sum of$299.44. (Includes$0.00 Affidavit Charge). NWA Democrat Gazette 03/23/25;NWA nwaonline.com 03/23/25 N P/, `� Legal Cler O - State of ARKANSAS,County of Sebastian _ :- . ,i , Subscribed and sworn to before me on this 24th day of March,2025 C ) NOTARY PUBLIC Ordinance:6850 teville. File Number:2025-294 B.Fee Schedule. ADMINISTRATIVE ITEM Indoor Pyrotechnic and Spe- (AMEND CHAPTER 94 - FIRE cial Effects Permit$34.00 PREVENTION): Blasting Permit$34.00 AN ORDINANCE TO AMEND Fire Alarm and Detection Sys- CHAPTER 94,FIRE PREVENTION tern Permit $119.00 OF THE FAYETTEVILLE CODE OF Fire Sprinkler System Permit ORDINANCES TO MODIFY EXIST- (NFPA 13 or NFPA 13R systems) INS FEES AND CREATE A FEE $119.00 SCHEDULE Fire Sprinkler System Permit WHEREAS,Fayetteville has a (NFPA 13D system) long and well-established his- $10.00 tory of charging user fees for a Alternative Automatic Fire Ex- number of City services,includ- tinguishing System Permit Mg those associated with fend- $25.00 opment review;and Fire Performance Permit WHEREAS,in February 2023, $8.00 the City Council approved a Tent Inspection Permit$34.00 contract with MGT for an up- Section 3:That the City Coun- dated user fee study whose cil of the City of Fayetteville, core objectives include evaluat- Arkansas hereby authorizes ing and improving the current staff to stagger the implemen- fee structure,defining the cost tation of the fees provided in of City services, and recom- Sections 1 and 2 so that those mending fees based on the cost fees shall not exceed the of service;and amounts set forth In those sec- WHEREAS,MGT completed a tions fora period of four weeks review of City development re- after the effective date of this view-related services, the ordinance. At the end of the hourly rates of staff providing four-week period, those fees those services, and the time shall be set at the amounts set providing each service in six forth in Exhibit A. areas that Include Building PASSED and APPROVED on Safety,Business Licensing,En- March 18,2025 gineering, Fire, Planning,and Approved: Water 8 Sewer;and Molly Rawn,Mayor WHEREAS,the most prom- Attest: nent finding of the study is a Kara Paxton significant discrepancy between City Clerk Treasurer the cost of services provided This publication was paid for and the user fees charged,to- by the City Clerk-Treasurer of taling approximately the City of Fayetteville, $2,679,307.00;and Arkansas. WHEREAS,among the groups Amount Paid:$299.44 included in the study,the Fire March 23,2025 491967 Marshal's Office is unique for not currently collecting lees de- spite offering a number of de- velopment-related and commercial-oriented services, ranging from permits for blast- ing or pyrotechnic events to re- viewing fire alarm end sprinkler system design;and WHEREAS,on July 2,2024, the City Council passed Resolu- tion 182-24 expressing intent to implement the study's findings; and WHEREAS, the proposed amendments to Chapter 94,Fire Prevention include formalization of several existing services,In- cluding pyrotechnic and special effects,blasting,fire perform- ance,tent inspection permits, and fire alarm and fire sprinkler system permits;and WHEREAS,fees will be imple- mented at 1/3rd of the recom- mended fee amount;and WHEREAS,implementation of the new fees will require man- ual entry by staff and,therefore, staff has proposed a staggered rollout during which time users may be charged the previous fee or the updated fee. NOW,THEREFORE,BE IT OR- DAINED BY THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF FAYETTEVILLE, ARKANSAS: Section 1:That the City Coun- cil of the City of Fayetteville, Arkansas hereby amends § 94.09(B)Sale of Fireworks by changing the permit fee from $500.00 to$225.00 per location end one-half(1/2)of the permit fee from$250.00 to$112.50 that shall be placed in a revenue account. Section 2:That the City Coun- cil of the City of Fayetteville, Arkansas hereby repeals § 94.10 Fees/Schedule and en- acts a new§94.10 as follows: '94.10 Fees/Schedule A.Fees. Fees shall be im- posed,as set forth below,to cover a portion of the cost in- curred in connection with pro- cessing applications, plan reviews,amendments,permits, acceptance inspections and other matters pertaining to fire protection and fire protection systems in the City of Fayet-