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Home My WebLink AboutCITY CLERK JOAN L. FLYNN PASSPORT ACCEPTANCE FACILITY UPDATEA, CITY OF HUNTINGTON BEACH INTERDEPARTMENTAL COMMUNICATION TO: Honorable Mayor and City Council FROM: Joan L. Flynn, City Clerk SUBJECT: Passport Acceptance Facility Update DATE: July 2, 2007 On June 21, 1999 the City Council approved a request by then City Clerk Brockway to become a Passport Acceptance Facility authorized by the United States Department of State. The proposal outlined benefits that included increased customer service, revenue generation and economical impact to the community. Passport acceptance services were officially offered to the public by the City Clerk's Office on February 1, 2000. During the next few years, passport services realized a steady return in number of applicants and net profit (Attachment No. 1). In 2004, the Western Hemisphere Travel Initiative (WHTI) was mandated by Congress to strengthen border security and facilitate entry into the United States for citizens and legitimate international visitors. Phase One of the WHTI would require U.S. citizens traveling to Canada, Mexico, the Caribbean, and Bermuda by airto possess a valid passport. In anticipation of the new law, passport application figures began to rise, and on January 23, 2007, Phase One of the WHTI went into effect. On the National level, the volume of passport applications this fiscal year has increased by approximately 33 percent as indicated in a Media Note issued by the U.S. Department of State on May 23, 2007 (Attachment No. 2). In 2006, the City Clerk's Office processed 3,416 passport applications, resulting in a gross profit of $110,673. Between January 1, 2007 and May 31, 2007 the City Clerk's Office processed 3,004 passport applications, resulting in a gross profit of $109,356, and the increased number of applicants doesn't appear to show signs of slowing. It is anticipated that Phase Two of the WHTI will go into effect in mid 2008, requiring all U.S. citizens traveling to Canada, Mexico, the Caribbean, and Bermuda by land and sea to possess a valid passport. Applicants who have applied for a U.S. Passport during the past 6 months have been subject to major delays, expedited processing fees and human error at the Federal level. Our office has taken on the challenge to assist our customers in facilitating passport receipt to reduce or eliminate their chance of losing travel arrangements. This year, we have assisted our customers in resolving at least 75 reported problems, and have yet to experience a loss of travel. It has been exhausting and stressful, and at the same time rewarding. Our agents have received thank you cards, flowers and accolades for their determined efforts. The City Clerk's Office is committed to providing the best service possible to our customers, and is excited about the success of this program. Look for our advertised service in a number of local publications, and be sure to inform your friends, family and constituents. Attachments: Passport Acceptance Facility Totals from Inception Media Note Dated May 23, 2007 from the U.S. Department of State City of Huntington Beach Passport Acceptance Facility Totals from Inception 0210112000 to 1213012000 d" 3,593 ' � ` " 3i 54, 390.13 1 P 'ia` i, »' itilli 21, 800. 54 r i' : _ CAI nil 32, 598. 59 0110112001 to 1213012001 3,079 46,417.05 31,636.30 14,780.75 0110112002 to 1213012002 3,180 57,410.37 28,646.60 28,763.77 01/01/2003 to 1213012003 2,864 86,016.96 26,606.57 59,410.39 0110112004 to 1213012004 3,732 112,093.00 24,309.79 87,783.21 0110112005 to 1213012005 3,672 110,289.21 25,767.79 84,521.42 0110112006 to 1213112006 3,416 110,673.60 27,842.92 82,830.68 0110112007 to 0513112007 3,004 109,356.50 12,983.04 96,373.46 TOTALS 26,540 $686,646.82 $199,593.55 $487,062.27 The execution fee increased from $15 to $30 effective 8-19-2002 Pictures effective 7/07/06 fee $10.00 ATTACHMENT NO. 1 U.S. DEPARTMENT OF STATE Office of the Spokesman For Immediate Release May 23, 2007 MEDIA NOTE Passport Production at Record Levels to Meet Demand The Department of State set new records in March and April, issuing more than three million passports to Americans planning international travel. With passport demand at record levels, passport production time averages 10-12 weeks. Americans should apply at least twelve weeks before they plan to travel. Passport Production: For the first seven months (October through April) of Fiscal Year 2007, the Department issued 8.6 million passports. This is a 33 percent increase from the same period last year and is more passports than were issued in any single full year before 2003. Arkansas Passport Center: The newest passport mega -processing center, in Hot Springs, Arkansas, began pilot operations on March 27 and ramped up production in April. When the Center reaches full capacity by the end of 2007, the Center will be able to produce more than 10 million passports per year. The Center has already printed more than 80,000 passports for American citizen travelers. This center represents a dynamic, new approach to the production of passports for Americans. Other domestic passport agencies will electronically transmit approved applications to the Arkansas Passport Center, which is dedicated solely to printing and mailing out large quantities of passports. By centralizing passport printing the Department will focus resources at other agencies on processing and adjudicating more passport applications. Increased Staffing: Aggressive recruitment brought 170 new government and contract employees onboard during March and April, and retirees with passport adjudication experience are returning to help our efforts. The Department continues to recruit qualified personnel to meet America's demands for passports. Regional Agencies Working Overtime: Employees at the 18 Passport Agencies nationwide continue to work overtime daily and on weekends to process applications to meet Americans' travel plans. Expanded Call Center for Information and Appointments: In addition to its regular business hours, 6 a.m. until midnight, Eastern Time, Monday through Friday, the National Passport Information Center (1-877-487-2778) is open Saturday and Sunday from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. for customer inquiries and information. The Center has more than doubled its staff in order to meet public demand and continues to recruit and train new customer service representatives. ATTACHMENT NO. 2 Increased Phone Staff: On top of their regular duties, State Department employees are volunteering on special telephone task forces to answer questions and help Americans get their passports. The Department has installed high -capacity telephone lines to increase the volume of telephone calls it can receive, with plans to further expand capacity as needed. Increased Desk Staff: Qualified State Department employees are working on daytime, evening and weekend task forces at the Washington Passport Agency and the National Passport Center in New Hampshire. These staffers, who supplement the Department's expanding corps of passport specialists, have approved more than 55,000 applications since mid -March. Important Points for Travelers Applicants should be sure to check their applications against the checklist at http://travel.state.gov/pasWort; 13 percent of applications are delayed by simple errors such as not signing the application, forgetting to include a check for the applications fee, writing a check for the wrong amount, or submitting a photograph that does not meet Department specifications. Applications that use the secure online form (first time applicants: https:Hpptform2.state.gov/DS11/MainDSI Laspx; renewal applicants: https://pptform2.state.gov/DS82/Eli ig bilit .aspx) will be processed more quickly. Travelers can check the status of their passport applications online at http://travel.state.gov/passport/izet/status/status_2567.htm1. Information on routine applications is normally available online approximately four weeks after the application is submitted. Information on expedited applications is normally available online approximately one week after the application is submitted. Those who have applied and are leaving within two weeks can visit http://travel.state.aov/passport/about/npic/npic_896.html to send an email inquiry to check the status or call the National Passport Information Center at 1-877-487-2778. Other travelers may leave the phone lines open for those with immediate travel needs. Travelers who have not applied for passports to date should allow at least 10-12 weeks for standard passport processing and 2-3 weeks for expedited processing. Information on how to apply for a passport, including how to expedite processing, is available at http://travel.state.gov. Applicants requesting expedited service must write "EXPEDITE" on the outside of the envelope containing their application. 2007/415