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HomeMy WebLinkAboutApprove additional appropriation for As-Needed General EnvirDept. ID FD15 001 Page 1 of 2 Meeting Date: 1/20/2015 CITY OF HUNTINGTON BEACH REQUEST FOR. CITY COUNCIL ACTION MEETING DATE: 1/20/2015 SUBMITTED TO: Honorable Mayor and City Council Members SUBMITTED BY: Fred A. Wilson, City Manager PREPARED BY: Patrick McIntosh, Fire Chief SUBJECT: Approve additional appropriation for As -Needed General Environmental Engineering and Plan Check /Fire Inspection Services Statement of Issue: The Fire Department uses professional environmental engineering and plan check/fire inspection services on an as -needed basis. These services are critical to keeping pace with the extensive development occurring in the community. An appropriation of $275,000 is requested for these services. Financial Impact: The recommended action is primarily cost -neutral since these expenditures are reimbursed by developers and also offset by revenue generated from cost recovery fees. Recommended Action: Approve an appropriation of $275,000 to the Fire Prevention business unit (10065201.69365) for professional Environmental Engineering and Plan Check/Fire Inspection services. Funding will be allocated on an incremental basis as needed, based on development project demands. Alternative Action(s): Do not appropriate the funds and direct staff accordingly. Analysis: Applicants who submit development projects to the City pay fees for plan checks and inspections and expect reasonable service levels. When City staff can no longer meet demands of increased. development activity, these services have historically been supplemented with professional environmental engineering and plan check/fire inspection services. This approach is a cost effective method of closing the gap between the demands for plan check/inspection services and the ability of City staff to meet this demand. The Huntington Beach Fire Department is responsible for oversight of the cleanup of contaminated soil, as required by the Fire Code, Municipal Code and City specifications. To provide these services, City staff uses Environmental Engineering firms who possess the technical expertise to perform these duties. Environmental Engineering firms provide guidance for City staff in evaluating and approving soil remediation activities, which is usually associated with development activities. Typical environmental engineering services include: Item 3. - I H B -24- Dept. 4D FD15 001 Page 2 of 2 Meeting Date: 1/20/2015 Review of mitigation plans for contaminated soil sites © Review of mitigation plans for naturally occurring and petroleum -based methane gas o Providing field and laboratory oversight as necessary to evaluate the sampling and remedial actions to ensure compliance with all applicable City Municipal Code and City specifications • Submitting written reports of findings and recommendations regarding testing results, remediation plans, and closure reports a Providing representation when requested at meetings and presentations regarding soil remediation plans and associated activities Development activity that the Fire Department processes has also increased tremendously. Examples of significant current and upcoming projects that require these plan check and inspection services include, but are not limited to, the Hilton hotel expansion, Pasea Hotel, Pacific City retail/residential projects and many large residential projects. For these major development projects, the Fire Department estimates $221,000 in revenue and for other development and tenant improvement projects, the Department estimates another $916,000 in revenues generated, resulting in a total of approximately $1.1 million in revenues from development projects. Due to the significant increases in these development activities, the $100,000 budgeted for professional services in FY 2014/15 will fully be expended during the second quarter of the fiscal year and an additional allocation is needed. A chart comparing funding allocations for FY 2013/14 and those proposed for FY 2014/15 includes: Fiscal Approved Supplemental Year Budget Allocations Total 2013/14 $50,000 $246,000 $296,000 2014/15 $100,000 $275,000 $375,000 In FY 2013/14, the year-end expenditure reached $286,000 out of the total allocation of $296,000. For FY 2014/15 it is anticipated to exceed this amount. The current funding is anticipated to be exhausted by the second quarter of the fiscal year and an additional allocation is needed at this time. An appropriation of $275,000 to the Fire Prevention business unit (10065201.69365) is requested. These expenditures are primarily cost -neutral since these services are reimbursed by developers and also offset by revenue generated from cost recovery fees. Environmental Status: None. Strategic Plan Goal: Enhance economic development. Attachment(s): None HB -25- Item 3. - 2