ON THE AGENDA Here are some of...

ON THE AGENDA

Here are some of the items the council will consider Monday:

USER FEES AND CHARGES

The council will consider whether to increase the fees and charges

it levies on residents such as recreational fees, building permit

fees and public-protection false alarm fees. The last increase was

made in August 2002.

Finance officials are not recommending any new fees.

Given the total estimated revenues for user fees and charges in

the 2003-04 budget, a 2% increase could result in additional revenue

of $105,000.

WHAT TO EXPECT

Finance and financial planning division staff members recommend

increasing the fees and charges to keep up with the costs of

providing services.

“The user fees should reasonably reflect what it costs the city to

offer those services,” Councilman Allan Mansoor said.

PAINTING OF PATROL VEHICLES

The council will consider returning the color scheme of the police

patrol fleet from all white to the traditional black and white.

The department transferred to all white in the early 1970s mainly

to reduce costs and increase officer comfort by not having to pay for

the added expense of air conditioning.

Many of the police officers have expressed interest in changing

the fleet to black and white.

The cost to repaint all the patrol cars is about $15,000.

WHAT TO EXPECT

Police department staff believe changing the color scheme would

also achieve the goal of increased visibility, recognition and

approachability of the beat patrol officer by residents.

“It certainly will increase visibility, and I think it looks

sharp,” Mansoor said.

SCREENING REQUEST

The council will consider an application from Grower’s Direct for

a general plan change for two neighboring parcels of land totaling

one acre at 1695 Superior Ave. and 635 W. 17th St.

Grower’s Direct is requesting the change in the land-use

designation for the property on 17th Street from light industrial to

neighborhood commercial.

The proposal would allow the company to relocate the existing

business to a larger building.

WHAT TO EXPECT

The planning division recommends rejecting the change because it

doesn’t meet any of the three criteria for accepting the change,

which are: resolving a zoning inconsistency; providing a consistent

land-use designation on a single parcel; and decreasing the effects

of traffic from the property.

-- Compiled by Deirdre Newman