STAFF REPORT TO COMMITTEE OF THE WHOLE

Transcription

1 i CITY OF PRINCE GEORGE STAFF REPORT TO COMMITTEE OF THE WHOLE Corporate Services Department TO: COMMITTEE OF THE WHOLE DATE: October 18, 2011 TO: FROM: SUBJECT: ATTACHMENTS: Committee of the Whole Kathleen Soltis, Director of Corporate Services Fees and Charges Report from Guy Gusdal, Manager, Bylaw Services Report from Nelson Wight, Manager, Current Planning and Development Report from Brad Beckett, Manager, Recreation and Cultural Services RECOMMENDATIONS: 1. That the Staff report be received. 2. That the Committee of the Whole recommend to Council approval of the following: a. That the amendments to the Consolidated Fees and Charges Bylaw Schedule A-2 be approved as outlined in the report from Guy Gusdal, Manager, Bylaw Services; b. That the amendments to the Consolidated Fees and Charges Bylaw Schedule A-5 be approved as outlined in the report from Nelson Wight, Manager, Current Planning and Development; c. That the amendments to the Consolidated Fees and Charges Bylaw Schedule B-9 be approved as outlined in the report from Brad Beckett, Manager, Recreation and Cultural Services. DISCUSSION: Amendment of the Consolidated Fees and Charges Bylaw as recommended in the attached reports is consistent with the Sustainable Finance Policies and will contribute to the City s Core Focus Area of Continuing Progressive and Responsible Fiscal Management. Respectfully submitted, Kathleen Soltis, Director of Corporate Services

2 i CITY OF PRINCE GEORGE STAFF REPORT TO COMMITTEE OF THE WHOLE Public Safety & Civic Facilities Department: Bylaw Services Division TO: COMMITTEE OF THE WHOLE DATE: October 4, 2011 TO: FROM: SUBJECT: COMMITTEE OF THE WHOLE Guy Gusdal, Manager, Bylaw Services 2012 Business Licence Fees RECOMMENDATIONS: 1. THAT the staff report be received. 2. AND THAT the Committee of the Whole recommend to Council that the amendment to the Consolidated Fees and Charges Bylaw Schedule A-2 (a) Business Licence for the Business Licence fees be approved as recommended in this report and generally as outlined in Appendix A. PURPOSE: This report provides the Committee of the Whole with information regarding proposed Business License fee increase for all licence categories except Charitable/Non-Profit/Religious and Day Care/Group Homes Business Licenses to adjust for the effects of inflation in 2011; and to obtain the Committee s endorsement of the proposed fee increase to Council. POLICY / REGULATORY ANALYSIS: Section 194 of the Community Charter enables Council to, by bylaw, impose a fee in respect of the exercise of authority to regulate, prohibit or impose requirements. Furthermore, Council may, by bylaw: establish different rates or levels of fees in relation to different factors, (e.g. Establish different fees for different types of business licenses), establish terms and conditions for the payment of a fee, including discounts, interest and penalties (e.g. Establish an annual payment due date, late payment penalties, and discounts for timely payment, prorating for new licenses, and reduced fees for short-term licenses), and provide for the refund of the fee (e.g. Where a business license application is submitted and then withdrawn by the applicant prior to initiation of the business activity). STRATEGIC PRIORITIES: The Core Focus Area of Council s Strategic Plan for Continuing Progressive and Responsible Fiscal Management is attained by increasing the business license fees to offset the erosion of annual business licence revenue due to the effects of inflation rate Document Number: Version: 1 9/27/ :00:00 AM

3 Also, the Council Priority Project of Financial Sustainability is met by increasing the business licence fees to address the revenue lost to annual inflation. FINANCIAL CONSIDERATIONS: Business Licence Fees Staff are currently anticipating a Consumer Price Index (CPI) inflation increase estimated between 2.7 % and 3.1 % for These figures were obtained from Statistics Canada s most recent Consumer Price Index estimates released September 21, 2011, for the previous 12 month period to August, July and June (CPI s for each separate 12 month period were 3.1, 2.7 and 3.1, respectively). Staff are proposing that the annual business licence fee be increased by 2.8 % for all categories of business licence except two (Charitable/Non-Profit/Religious and Daycare/Group Homes). No business license fee increase is proposed for Charitable/Non-profit/Religious and Daycare/Group Homes business license categories (approximately $16, in fee revenue was generated by the two licence categories in 2011). Please refer to Appendix A for proposed 2012 business licence fees Business Licence Revenue Estimated 2012 Revenue Increase based on a 2.8 % fee increase Total Projected 2012 Business Licence Revenue $ 843, $ 22, $ 865, The purpose of this fee increase is to keep pace with anticipated inflation so that business licence revenue is maintained in a neutral position. A comparison to business licence fees charged by other comparable BC municipalities was provided in annual Business Licence fee report in 2010 (staff anticipate providing this comparative report every 3 years or when significant changes are proposed to the fee structure for a specific or group of Business Licence categories). The business licence fees have been rounded up or down to the nearest whole dollar. Please refer to Appendix B for a comparison of the 2011 business licence fee versus the 2012 proposed business licence fee. Staff recommends that the annual business licence fees for Charitable/Non-Profit/Religious and Daycare/Group Homes business categories not be increased as these businesses are generally operating with limited funds that are donated or obtained through government grants and/or providing a community benefit primarily through volunteers. Furthermore, a 2.8 % increase in the annual business licence fee for these licences would result in additional business licence revenue of approximately $ CONCLUSION: The projected inflation rate projected for 2011 is between 2.7 to 3.1 percent. As such staff recommends a 2.8 % increase for the 2012 annual Business Licence fees for all categories except Charitable/Non- Profit/Religious and Day Care/Group Homes Business Licenses. A 2.8 % increase in the affected business licence categories is estimated to generate an additional $ 22, in business licence fee revenue which should be sufficient to offset the effects of inflation on business licence revenue. Respectfully submitted, Guy Gusdal, Manager, Bylaw Services,

4 APPENDIX A A-2(a) BUSINESS LICENCE CATEGORY Annual Business License Fee 2012 Business License Fee Animal Clinic $ Banks and Financial Institutions $ Bed & Breakfast $74.00 Body Rub Parlour/Relaxation Clinic $3, Building Rental $ Building Rental Civic (Annual) $ Building or Garden Supplies $ Bulk Storage or Distribution $ Car or Truck Rental $ Car Dealership $ Car Sales or Service $ Car Storage $ Cemetery, Crematorium $ Charitable/Non-Profit/Religious $30.00 Coffee Shop/Café/Deli (less than 30 seats) $ Commercial Arcade $ Commercial Auction $ Commercial Office $ Commercial Open-Land Recreation $ Commercial Parking Lot or Parkade $ Commercial Recreation $ Commercial Retail (less than 1000m) $ Commercial Retail-Department Store (greater than 1000 m2) $ Commercial Service (100 m2 or less floor area) $ Commercial Service (more than 100 m2 floor area) $ Contractor, General or Logging $ Contractor/Trade $ Courier/Delivery Service (per unit) $63.00 Day Care/Group Homes $55.00

5 BUSINESS LICENCE CATEGORY APPENDIX A (continued) 2012 Business License Fee Direct Sales, Group $ Direct Sales, Individual $63.00 Escort Service $3, Exhibition $ Exotic Dance Service $3, Farmers Retail $63.00 Flea or Farmers Market (year) $ Gaming Facility $ Gasoline Service Station $ Home Business $ Home Business General Contractor $ Home Business Contractor/Trade $ Home Craft $74.00 Home Occupation, Special $ Hotel $ Industrial Equipment Sales & Service $ Industrial Equipment Service $ Industrial Light Manufacturing/Retail $ Industrial, Service (100m or less floor area) $ Industrial, Service (more than 100m floor area) $ Industrial, Special Heavy Manufacturing (8 hectares or less in site area) $ Industrial, Special Heavy Manufacturing (> 8 hectares in site area) $1, Liquor Primary Establishment $ Medical or Dental Office $ Mobile Home Park $ Mobile Vendors (per unit) $ Motel $ Nursery or Greenhouse $ Personal Care Home $ Prefab/Manufactured Buildings $594.00

6 BUSINESS LICENCE CATEGORY APPENDIX A (continued) 2012 Business License Fee Printing or Publishing $ Recreational Vehicle Sales & Service $ Recreational Vehicle Service only $ Restaurant/Food Primary Establishment $ Salvage or Wrecking Yard $ Sidewalk Vendor $63.00 Studio, Radio or Television $ Taxi/Limousine/Shuttle Service (per unit) $63.00 Transportation Depot $ Travel Trailer Park $ Truck or Rail Terminal $ Truck Repair & Sales $ Truck Repair $ Vehicle Hire (per unit) $47.00 Vehicle Hire (Maximum Fee) $ Vending Machines (per machine) $34.00 Vending Machines (Maximum) $ Warehousing $ Wholesale (500m or less floor area) $ Wholesale (more than 500m floor area) $475.00

7 APPENDIX B COMPARISION OF 2011 VS PROPOSED 2012 BUSINESS LICENSE FEES 2011 Business Licence Fee Proposed 2012 Business Licence Fee (2.8 % Increase) Animal Clinic $ $ Banks and Financial Institutions $ $ Bed & Breakfast $72.00 $74.00 Body Rub Parlour/Relaxation Clinic $3, $3, Building Rental $ $ Building Rental Civic (Annual) $ $ Building or Garden Supplies $ $ Bulk Storage or Distribution $ $ Car or Truck Rental $ $ Car Dealership $ $ Car Sales or Service $ $ Car Storage $ $ Cemetery, Crematorium $ $ Charitable/Non-Profit/Religious $30.00 $30.00 Coffee Shop/Café/Deli (less than 30 seats) $ $ Commercial Arcade $ $ Commercial Auction $ $ Commercial Office $ $ Commercial Open-Land Recreation $ $ Commercial Parking Lot or Parkade $ $ Commercial Recreation $ $ Commercial Retail (less than 1000m) $ $ Commercial Retail-Department Store (greater than 1000 m2) $ $ Commercial Service (100 m2 or less floor area) $ $ Commercial Service (more than 100 m2 floor area) $ $ Contractor, General or Logging $ $ Contractor/Trade $ $ Courier/Delivery Service (per unit) $61.00 $63.00 Day Care/Group Homes $55.00 $55.00 Direct Sales, Group $ $ Direct Sales, Individual $61.00 $63.00 Escort Service $3, $3,562.00

8 APPENDIX B (continued) Exhibition $ $ Exotic Dance Service $3, $3, Farmers Retail $61.00 $63.00 Flea or Farmers Market (year) $ $ Gaming Facility $ $ Gasoline Service Station $ $ Home Business $ $ Home Business General Contractor $ $ Home Business Contractor/Trade $ $ Home Craft $72.00 $74.00 Home Occupation, Special $ $ Hotel $ $ Industrial Equipment Sales & Service $ $ Industrial Equipment Service $ $ Industrial Light Manufacturing/Retail $ $ Industrial, Service (100m or less floor area) $ $ Industrial, Service (more than 100m floor area) $ $ Industrial, Special Heavy Manufacturing (8 hectares or less in site area) $ $ Industrial, Special Heavy Manufacturing (more than 8 hectares in site area) $1, $1, Liquor Primary Establishment $ $ Medical or Dental Office $ $ Mobile Home Park $ $ Mobile Vendors (per unit) $ $ Motel $ $ Nursery or Greenhouse $ $ Personal Care Home $ $ Prefab/Manufactured Buildings $ $ Printing or Publishing $ $ Recreational Vehicle Sales & Service $ $ Recreational Vehicle Service only $ $ Restaurant/Food Primary Establishment $ $ Salvage or Wrecking Yard $ $ Sidewalk Vendor $61.00 $63.00 Studio, Radio or Television $ $ Taxi/Limousine/Shuttle Service (per unit) $61.00 $63.00 Transportation Depot $ $ Travel Trailer Park $ $119.00

9 APPENDIX B (continued) Truck or Rail Terminal $ $ Truck Repair & Sales $ $ Truck Repair $ $ Vehicle Hire (per unit) $46.00 $47.00 Vehicle Hire (Maximum Fee) $ $ Vending Machines (per machine) $33.00 $34.00 Vending Machines (Maximum) $ $ Warehousing $ $ Wholesale (500m or less floor area) $ $ Wholesale (more than 500m floor area) $ $475.00

10 CITY OF PRINCE GEORGE STAFF REPORT TO COMMITTEE OF THE WHOLE PLANNING AND DEVELOPMENT DATE: September Patricia Boulevard, Prince George, B.C., V2L 3V9 TO: FROM: SUBJECT: ATTACHMENT(S): COMMITTEE OF THE WHOLE NELSON WIGHT, MANAGER CURRENT PLANNING AND DEVELOPMENT Proposed Development Application Fee Increase Proposed Schedule A-5 Application Fees Application Fee Comparison with Other Municipalities RECOMMENDATION(S): 1. THAT the Staff Report be received. 2. THAT Council approve the replacement of Consolidated Fees and Charges Bylaw Schedule A-5 Application Fees with the amended Schedule A-5 Application Fees attached to this report. PURPOSE: The purpose of this report is to provide Council with information regarding proposed fee increases for development applications, which were previously presented to the Finance & Audit Committee. BACKGROUND Earlier this year, Staff brought forward a report to the Finance & Audit Committee recommending that development application fees be increased in an effort to improve the cost recovery of processing applications, and to maintain service levels. The following motion was passed by that committee: That included in the report to council a target cost recovery of 17% BE CONSIDERED subject to consultation with the community. Staff subsequently completed consultation with a wide range of stakeholders in the development community (e.g. professional associations, land owners, developers, and their agents). The only comment received by staff was from the Prince George Construction Association who indicated that the fee increase was reasonable. Document Number:

11 POLICY / REGULATORY ANALYSIS: Section 194 of the Community Charter provides a municipality with the authority to charge fees for processing applications for development permits and approvals. Section 931 of the Local Government Act further sets out the manner in which municipalities may charge fees related to applications and inspections. Section 931(2) specifically states that a fee imposed under subsection (1) must not exceed the estimated average costs of processing, inspection, advertising and administration that are usually related to the type of application or other matter to which the fee relates. STRATEGIC PRIORITIES: The Core Focus Area of Council s Strategic Plan for Continuing Progressive and Responsible Fiscal Management is attained by increasing the development application fees to nominally increase our cost recovery. FINANCIAL CONSIDERATIONS: General revenues currently subsidize approximately 85% of the cost of processing, inspecting, advertising and administering development applications, with applicants contributing approximately 15% through application fees. It is recommended that the current fees be increased in order to recoup approximately 17% of the above-noted costs through application fees. OTHER CONSIDERATIONS: Attached to this report is a comparison to ten other municipalities in the province. For most types of applications, Prince George s total fees are typically in the lower-end of the range of fees charged by the comparison group. For rezoning, development permit and development variance applications, Prince George s application fees are below the median fee and are 3 times lower than the municipalities at the high end of the scale which typically include Port Coquitlam, Maple Ridge and New Westminster. SUMMARY AND CONCLUSION: Staff recommends that a modest increase in fees be approved by Council to achieve an estimated cost recovery target of 17%. Respectfully submitted: Nelson Wight, Manager Current Planning and Development To: Mayor and Council, -~ r-- -:=:- (. ci:: ~... ":,.;A"T' Document Number:

12 A 5 DEVELOPMENT SERVICES Fees and Charges for Development Procedures A 5 (a) APPLICATION FEES Official Community Plan Amendment Application Schedule B-1, B-2, or C amendment Schedule B-1, B-2, or C amendment accompanied by an amendment to Schedule A of the Zoning Bylaw $1,200 + $4 per 100 m 2 of site area (maximum $600) + notification costs 1 $1,800 + $5 per 100 m 2 of site area (maximum $1,800) + notification costs 1 Zoning Bylaw Amendment Application Text Amendment only Text Amendment added to a Schedule A rezoning Schedule A: rezoning to any agricultural, rural residential, suburban residential, and one or two-family urban residential district with the potential to create 3 or fewer lots Schedule A: rezoning to any agricultural, rural residential, suburban residential, one or twofamily urban residential district with the potential to create 4 or more lots or rezoning to any commercial, industrial, institutional, or multiple-family district $1,200 + notification costs $600 + Schedule A rezoning fee $600 + notification costs 1 $1,200 + $4 per 100 m 2 of site area (maximum $1,200) + notification costs 1 Land Use Contract Discharge or Amendment Application Amendment to any agricultural, rural residential, suburban residential, and one or two-family urban residential district with the potential to create 3 or fewer lots Amendment to any agricultural, rural residential, suburban residential, one or twofamily urban residential district with the potential to create 4 or more lots or to any commercial, industrial, institutional, or multiplefamily district $600 + notification costs 1 $1,200 + $4 per 100 m 2 of site area (maximum $1,200) + notification costs 1

13 Page 2 Section 219 Covenant Text Amendment or discharge Development Permit Application Commercial, industrial or multiple-family development permit area: façade improvement only, with a construction value less than $10,000 Commercial, industrial or multiple-family development permit area: façade improvement only, with a construction value greater than $10,000 Commercial, industrial or multiple-family development permit area: subdivision, construction or addition to or alteration of a building or structure Environmental or hazardous condition development permit area: for sites less than 1 ha Environmental or hazardous condition development permit area: for sites greater than 1 ha $600 + notification costs $250 + notification 1 $500 + notification 1 $600 + $20 per 100 m 2 of additional or altered gross floor area (maximum of $1,800) + notification 1 $1,200 + notification 1 $1,800 + notification 1 Temporary Use Permit Application Application review and processing $600 + notification 1 Development Variance Permit Application Zoning Bylaw: one variance to any agricultural, rural residential, suburban residential, or one or two-family urban residential district regulation Zoning Bylaw: 2 or more variances to any agricultural, rural residential, suburban residential, or one or two-family urban residential district regulations or a variance to any other zoning or land use contract regulation Subdivision and Development Servicing Bylaw regulation variance $250 + notification 1 $600 + notification 1 $600 + notification 1 Sign Bylaw regulation variance $400 + notification 1 Manufactured Home Park Bylaw regulation variance $600 + notification 1 Document Number:

14 Page 3 Liquor License Application Liquor primary: new license $1,200 + notification 1 Liquor primary: change to an existing license $600 + notification 1 Temporary Change $60 Food Primary: hours of services past midnight or patron participation entertainment $600 + notification 1 Notification of Public Hearing and Council Consideration Notification of Public Hearing $600 Re-notification of Public Hearing if the applicant requests or requires a second Public Hearing $400 Notification when a Public Hearing is waived $400 Notification for Council consideration of permit issuance or change to a Section 219 covenant Notification for Council consideration of a liquor license resolution $400 $600 1 Notification costs are to be paid by the Applicant or Owner if required by a resolution of City Council, the Local Government Act or the Development Procedures Bylaw. Application fees are not refundable except for notification costs, which will be returned to the Applicant or Owner if notification does not occur. Document Number:

15 ATTACHMENT 1: Application Fee Comparisions with Other Municipalities SCENARIO 1: ZONING BYLAW AMENDMENTS AND COMBINED ZONING BYLAW / OCP AMENDMENTS - Rezoning to Multi-Family/Townhouse - 20 units proposed; 120 sq.m. FA per unit (1292 sq.ft.); 2400 sq.m. GFA (25833 sq.ft.); 0.4 ha site area (43056 sq. ft.) Prince George current Prince George (proposed incr) Abbotsford Chilliwack Delta Kamloops Kelowna Maple Ridge Nanaimo New Westminster Port Coquitlam Victoria RZ FEE $1,810 $1,960 $2,190 $1,600 $3,220 $1,000 $2,142 $5,383 $1,080 $3,297 $5,200 $3,075 (rank 1-11) (4) (5) (7) (3) (9) (1) (6) (12) (2) (10) (11) (8) RZ + OCP $2,400 $2,600 $2,595 $2,100 $3,820 $1,600 $3,759 $6,355 $1,580 $4,898 $6,100 $4,550 (rank 1-12) (4) (6) (5) (3) (8) (2) (7) (12) (1) (10) (11) (9) Median Fees RZ Fee $2,166 RZ & OCP $3,180 Notes: - 1 is the lowest rate; 12 is the highest rate - Fees are inclusive of notification, Public Meeting and Public Hearing fees where applicable

16 SCENARIO 2: DEVELOPMENT PERMIT (basic) - Multi-Family/Townhouse Development Permit - 20 units proposed; 120 sq.m. FA per unit (1292 sq.ft.); 2400 sq.m. GFA (25833 sq.ft.); 0.4 ha site area (43056 sq. ft.) Prince George Current Prince George (proposed incr) Abbotsford Chilliwack Delta Kamloops Kelowna Maple Ridge Nanaimo New Westminster Port Coquitlam Victoria DP FEE $1,030 $1,080 $2,060 $440 $1,780 $550 $1,103 $1,819 $798 $1,343 $4,300 $500 (rank 1-12) (5) (6) (11) (1) (9) (3) (7) (10) (4) (8) (12) (2) Median fee: $1,092 Notes: - Fees are exclusive of Public Meeting fees and assessed as "DP without rezoning"

17 SCENARIO 3: DEVELOPMENT VARIANCE PERMIT - 2 variances, Multi-Family - No DP, no appeal - 20 units proposed; 120 sq.m. FA per unit (1292 sq.ft.); 2400 sq.m. GFA (25833 sq.ft.); 0.4 ha site area (43056 sq. ft.) Prince George Current Prince George (proposed incr) Abbotsford Chilliwack Delta Kamloops Kelowna Maple Ridge Nanaimo New Westminster Port Coquitlam Victoria DVP $550 $600 $615 $850 $500 $650 $578 $2,258 $750 $1,210 $500 $1,200 Add Notif./ public mtg $330 $ $350 - $ $200 Document/ Registration $50 - $30 $100 - Total Fee $880 $1,000 $615 $850 $850 $650 $1,103 $2,308 $750 $1,240 $600 $1,400 (rank 1-12) (7) (8) (2) (6-5) (6-5) (3) (9) (12) (4) (10) (1) (11) Median fee $865

18 SCENARIO 4: NEW PRIMARY LIQUOR LICENSE Prince George Current Prince George (20% incr) Abbotsford Chilliwack Delta Kamloops Kelowna Maple Ridge Nanaimo New Westminster Port Coquitlam Primary Liquor License $1,100 $1,200 $575 $500 $250 $1,600 $500 $500 $500 $2,444 $1,000 $1,500 Victoria Additional Fees(notif /public hearing/mtg) $550 $600 20% of referendum cost (estimated at $200) $2,500 $250 (not applied in practice) Included in base fee Public mtg cost (estimated at $1,000) Included in base fee $500 Included in base fee $1,200 $ $1,500 Total Fee $1,650 $1,800 $775 $3,000 $250 $1,600 $1,500 $500 $1,000 $2,444 $2,200 $2700-$3000 (rank 1-12) (7) (8) (3) (12) (1) (6) (5) (2) (4) (10) (9) (11) Median fee $1,600 Notes: Only total fees were compared. Base fees and Additional fees were not compared in isolation due to the fact that some municipalities include notification, public meeting/hearing fees in their base fee and others do not.

19 CITY OF PRINCE GEORGE STAFF REPORT TO COMMITTEE OF THE WHOLE Community Services Department 1100 Patricia Boulevard, Prince George, B.C. V2L 3V9 DATE: Oct 12, 2011 TO: FROM: SUBJECT: Committee of the Whole Brad Beckett, Manager, Recreation and Cultural Services 2012 Gifts and Legacies Fees and Charges ATTACHMENT: Fees and Charges Bylaw #7557 B 9 RECOMMENDATION(S): 1. That the Staff Report be received. 2. That the Committee recommend to Council: THAT a Bylaw to amend the City of Prince George Comprehensive Fees and Charges Bylaw # 7557 B-9, for Gifts and Legacies be approved as outlined in the report. PURPOSE: Recreation and Cultural Services, with the assistance of Parks and Solid Waste Services, is responsible for the Gifts and Legacies program. The program offers interested individuals and corporations an opportunity to beautify and contribute to our community by donating funds towards a park bench, picnic table, tree, or a litter container. The program has been extremely successful in increasing the inventory of these assets, especially in the area of park benches. To date, over 100 cedar benches have been added to our community through this program. The bench program has grown to the point where maintaining the existing inventory of cedar or alternative wooden benches is becoming challenging to current operating budget levels. The Bylaw #7557 B-9 has not been amended since Therefore a change in construction materials and fees is recommended in order to sustain the popular Adopt a Bench program. Cost estimates suggest that the installed price of a plastic lumber bench at the Prince George standard is the same as a cedar bench - $2,500. STRATEGIC PRIORITIES: This matter will address Council s Core Focus Areas of Continuing Progressive and Responsible Fiscal Management and Increasing Civic Pride. FINANCIAL CONSIDERATIONS: Park Bench Rates The last increase to the Adopt a Bench fee was in Recent market research of 6 British Columbia municipalities indicates an average cost installed of $2,100 per

20 bench. Five out of six had moved to using plastic lumber and Salmon Arm uses concrete benches. Two of the 6 communities (Kelowna and Penticton) subsidized the cost of the bench to customers by an average of $450 per bench. The remaining communities charged the customer the actual cost. Prince George has subsidized the cost of the Adopt a Bench program since its inception. The installed cost per bench to the City remains at $2,500. The recommended fee increase from $1,800 to $2,000 in 2012 will decrease the City s subsidy from $700 per bench to $500 per bench which is more in line with other communities that subsidize similar programs. OTHER CONSIDERATIONS: Three rate category definitions require updating to provide consistency throughout the Community Services Department. RECOMMENDATIONS: 1. Definitions - B-9 (a) Park Bench - change Cedar or an alternative wooden bench with powder coated frame to plastic lumber with powder coated frame The Province of BC and several municipalities are creating environmental public policy encouraging the use of recycled plastic outdoor lumber where feasible and cost effective. Plastic lumber is non toxic and made of 100% recycled content. The use of plastic composite lumber has already been introduced in Prince George through five of the City Transit shelter benches. Therefore a change to the definition for park benches within the City of Prince George Comprehensive Fees and Charges Bylaw is suggested to make use of new plastic lumber products which are a viable substitute in this application. 2. Terms and Conditions - Payment Update Leisure Services and Parks Staff to Community Services and Planning and Development Staff 3. Gifts and Legacies Fees - B-9 (b) Update the chart as per the Fees and Charges Bylaw attachment. SUMMARY: A change to the definition for park benches is required from cedar to plastic lumber. Plastic lumber is more cost effective as it is resistant to wear, impact, water, salt, oils, chemicals, fungus, insects, graffiti and UV rays. It is virtually maintenance free and will last 25 years or more. Market comparisons are challenging due to a variety of factors including different labour rates, different types of materials used, and varying levels of subsidy, however a fee adjustment is recommended for Park benches effective January 1, This 11% increase would result in additional revenues of $1,800 per year based on the average of 9 benches sold per year and would lower overall subsidies on the bench program from $6,300 per year to $4,500. If approved, a report by the Committee of the Whole to Council seeking a resolution in support of a bylaw amendment would be in order.

21 Respectfully submitted: Brad Beckett Manager Recreation and Cultural Services

22 CPG Consolidated Fees & Charges Bylaw No B 9 COMMUNITY SERVICES Fees and Charges for the Gifts and Legacies Program B-9 (a) Definitions and Terms and Conditions Definitions: Park Bench: plastic lumber bench with powder coated frame. Installed onto a concrete pad. Picnic Table: Stone aggregate top, concrete legs and wood seats. Installed on to a concrete pad. Litter Container: Attractive 700 lb. exposed aggregate litter container with lock-down metal lid. Bear Proof Litter Container: Metal container with wood siding. Bear-proof lid. Tree: Deciduous tree, either blooming or non-blooming, or a Coniferous tree (Evergreen). Terms and Conditions: Payment Payment will be accepted by cheque, cash, money order, credit card or debit card payable to the City of Prince George. Receipt of payment will be completed after submission of the Application Form, a site meeting with Community Services and Operations Department staff, and prior to the installation of the product. Tax Receipts The City of Prince George will issue official tax receipts upon receipt of payment for any of the above listed products. B-9 (b) Gifts & Legacies Fees Product Current Rates Recommended Rates Park Bench (includes plaque) $1800 $2000 Picnic Table (includes plaque) N/A $2500 Trees Deciduous Tree $250 - $425 $250 - $425 Coniferous Tree $150 - $450 $150 - $450 Litter Container (includes plaque) Bear Proof Container $ 1500 $1500 Stone Aggregate $ 1300 $1300

23 CPG Consolidated Fees & Charges Bylaw No B-9 (c) Additional Services On occasion a donor may have a special request that is not reflected in our current Gifts & Legacies price list. The cost of these additional services will be charged out at the actual cost of the product or service. This is in keeping with this cost recovery program. Additional plaques Changes to standard plaque Larger concrete plaque Larger tree Other requests Actual cost Actual cost Actual cost Actual cost Actual cost