pages: CityCouncil/2016-06-21.pdf, 16
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CityCouncil | 2016-06-21 | 16 | Mayor Spencer called a recess at 9:26 p.m. and reconvened the meeting at 9:36 p.m. Councilmember Oddie stated emails allege that if the fee is imposed it is a violation of the Charter. The City Attorney responded the language does not apply to what the City is doing; stated the language addresses an amount of money pursuant to binding arbitration; if there is binding arbitration that requires an increase in salary, the City could not just raise taxes, the City would have to go to a vote of the people to increase the salary; the fee is allowed under the California Constitution, Proposition 218 and Proposition 206, which specify what has to be done to assess a fee; as long as the fee is limited to the service costs, the City is authorized to levy a fee. Councilmember Daysog inquired what method is being used to obtain the cost ratios; questioned what if the figures are wrong. John Bliss, SCI Consulting, stated all of the rental units had to be identified to figure out the fees; he worked with City and Housing Authority staff on an independent high level budget. Councilmember Daysog stated it sounds like the fee is an estimate divided by the total number of units; the number of rental units shifts from one year to the next; inquired how the City would deal with the fact that the denominator is always changing. Mr. Bliss responded the number of units will increase; stated the fee is driven from the County Assessor; the number will have to be updated each year; hopefully, the numerator will shrink; he is confident the costs and fee will go down. Councilmember Ezzy Ashcraft inquired whether the program being in operation over the next few months will give staff more information to allow for better estimates. Mr. Bliss responded in the affirmative; stated a lot of thought and detail went into the current estimate, but he is aware that the estimate will change over time. Councilmember Daysog stated the report comes down to $131 per unit; inquired if there are alternative scenarios to have low, high and mid points. Mr. Bliss responded there is a 5% contingency and the three Full Time Employees (FTEs) are real; the genesis of the 5% is the issue of start-up; the Housing Authority will have some growth costs for managing the program. Councilmember Daysog inquired whether a contract position was considered. Mr. Bliss responded the City of Berkeley uses internal staff and the City of Santa Regular Meeting Alameda City Council June 21, 2016 | CityCouncil/2016-06-21.pdf |