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HomeMy WebLinkAbout2007/08/07 Item 5 CITY COUNCIL AGENDA STATEMENT AUGUST 7, 2007, Item b ITEM TITLE: RESOLUTION OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF CHULA VISTA AMENDING THE MASTER FEE SCHEDULE TO ESTABLISH A FEE OF $15 FOR PASSPORT PHOTOGRAPHS FOR THE PASSPORT ACC}Jt!ANCE FACILITY SUSAN BIGELJC( CITY CLERK CITY MANAGER SUBMITTED BY: REVIEWED BY: 4/5THS VOTE: YES D NO ~ BACKGROUND The City Clerk's Office has received notification of its designation as a passport application acceptance agent and now must establish a fee for a set of passport photos. ENVIRONMENTAL REVIEW The Environmental Review Coordinator has reviewed the proposed activity for compliance with the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA) and has determined that the activity is not a "Project" as defined under Section 15378 of the State CEQA Guidelines; therefore, pursuant to Section 15060(c)(3) of the State CEQA Guidelines the activity is not subject to CEQA. RECOMMENDATION Council adopt the resolution establishing $15 as the fee for passport photos. BOARDS/COMMISSION RECOMMENDATION Not applicable. DISCUSSION In May 2007, the City Council authorized the City Clerk to submit an application to the U.S. Department of State, Bureau of Consular Affairs, to designate the City Clerk's office as a passport application acceptance facility. The City Clerk's Office has now received notification of its designation as a passport agent. The City Clerk's Office will use existing staff initially to implement passport services on a part-time, by-appointment-only basis; and provide a one-stop operation for customers, including photographs and mailing 5-1 AUGUST 7, 2007, Item !? Page 2 of3 services. Once the program matures and revenues increase enough to offset the cost of a dedicated, full-time employee, the service may be expanded to longer hours and possibly to satellite locations. The City Clerk and Assistant City ManagerlLibrary Director have discussed the benefits of eventually providing Saturday passport services at the South Chula Vista branch, a service not currently available anywhere else in the south bay. City Clerk staff can begin providing passport services as soon as training is completed, equipment is purchased, and a location is identified. Training consists of one eight-hour training class provided without charge by the Los Angeles Regional Passport Agency and completion of an on-line training class. There are four significant benefits to becoming a passport acceptance facility: . Community Service - A passport acceptance facility is somewhat unique in that, other than the post office, no other organization in the community is authorized to offer this service. Having a passport acceptance facility at City Hall will provide a vital service to all citizens and a local source for residents to easily and conveniently obtain passport application forms and submit passport applications. . Positive Public Relations - The service to the community and positive interaction with the public will further promote the City. It will also offer an opportunity to promote other City services and opportunities available to the public. . New Revenue Source - The City will receive $30 for each application processed, from which only mailing costs (about $1 per application) will be deducted once start-up costs have been recovered. In addition, the City will receive $12 for passport photo services. . Community Economic Impact - People from surrounding commUnItIes who travel to Chula Vista to submit passport applications will have a positive impact on Chula Vista's economy, since many customers may decide to patronize other Chula Vista businesses while in the City. The City Clerk recommends that the Council set a fee of $15 for a set of two passport photographs. Currently, El Cajon charges $10, Poway charges $15, and the post office charges $15. The $15 fee is recommended to offer a one-stop opportunity to applicants but not compete with local businesses that also offer passport photos. DECISION MAKER CONFLICT Staff has reviewed the decision contemplated by this action and has determined that it is not site specific and consequently the 500 foot rule found in California Code of Regulations section I 8704.2(a)(1) is not applicable to this decision. 5-2 AUGUST 7, 2007, Item 5 Page 3 of3 FISCAL IMPACT For each passport application accepted, the City will collect and retain the $30 processing fee established by the federal government. Offering passport photos at $15 per set of two will also increase revenue. Revenue generated will offset start-up costs. It is anticipated that part-time services will generate $50,000 or more in general fund revenue. ATTACHMENTS Resolution Prepared by: Susan Bigelow, City Clerk 5-3 RESOLUTION NO. 2007- RESOLUTION OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF CHULA VISTA AMENDING THE MASTER FEE SCHEDULE TO ESTABLISH A FEE OF $15 FOR PASSPORT PHOTOGRAPHS FOR THE PASSPORT ACCEPTANCE FACILITY WHEREAS, the City Clerk's Office has received notification of its designation as a passport application acceptance agent; and WHEREAS, the City Clerk must now establish a fee for passport photographs. NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED that the City Council of the City of Chula Vista does hereby establish a fee of $15 for a set of two passport photographs. Submitted by Approved as to form Susan Bigelow, MMC, City Clerk ~\lCN\~\'\~~ Ann Moore, City ttorney 5-4