By:Chris Munzing
The city approved the increase in the annual fee charged for a direct connection to the Long Beach Fire Department. The fee is charged to homes, businesses and organizations that have a direct connection, so that when a fire alarm is tripped, the LBFD is notified immediately, without the need for a call.
The annual fee for this service will increase from $600 to $1,200 for businesses, nursing homes and multiple dwellings, while the fee for houses of worship, schools and hospitals will jump from $300 to $600.
City Council President Jim Hennessy said that the increase in the fee was due to increases in costs, and would go toward the purchase of a new municipal alarm equipment.
"The equipment we had was hand-me-down from Oceanside more than 10 years ago," Hennessy said. "I think it's time we got new, state-of-the-art equipment."
The City Council also approved a $100 increase in the fee for an excavation permit, from $150 to $250. The fee is charged for any work done on the foundation of a property or any improvements made to driveways or sidewalks.
Democratic councilmen Denis Kelly and Leonard Remo voted against this hike, saying they were concerned that the increase would serve as a disincentive for homeowners to make improvements. They also voted against the new fire fees.
Other fee increases include a hike in water rates. Starting June 1, the city will increase the water rate from $2.30 per thousand gallons to $2.86. The billing for water will also be changed from monthly to quarterly, which City Manager Glen Spiritis said would increase the accuracy of the billing and save the city thousands of dollars on postage.
A minimum charge per billing cycle will be based on 12,000 gallons and a fee of $34.32. In addition to the increase in water fees, a surcharge designed to encourage water conservation was added. For usage of 50,000 to 100,000 gallons, the water rate will increase to $2.91 per thousand gallons. Usage of 101,000 to 200,000 will increase the rate to $3.05, and it will jump to $3.35 for the use of more than 201,000 gallons.
An additional building fee of $2 per square foot of the lot size will be charged to developers to be set aside in a storm water account. These funds will be used to offset the cost of repairing and maintaining the city's storm water drainage system.
More fee increases will be the subject of public hearings at the May 18 council meeting. Increases in the animal control department, which has not seen its fees change since 1981, will cover everything from adoption to impoundment fees.
Owners of dogs that were impounded by the city will be charged $15 for the first 24 hours and $5 for each additional day. That charge increases by $15 for each additional dog from the same owner that the city is forced to impound.
Should a dog require medical attention, the owner is responsible for all costs incurred by the city in its treatment of the animal. In the event that a dog requires an ambulance, a fee of $25 will be assessed to the owner if the dog is transported between the hours of 7 a.m. and 3 p.m. Monday through Friday, or between 8 a.m. and 4 p.m. on a weekend. The fee will be $45 at any other time.
Adoption fees will also increase to $25 for both cats and dogs. If the adopted animal has been spayed or neutered by the city, an additional fee will be charged. Male dogs and female cats carry a charge of $35, female dogs $45, and male cats $25.
Anyone adopting an animal that has not been spayed or neutered will be charged a refundable fee of $35, which will be returned when proof is presented that the animal has undergone such a procedure.
Any animals accepted by the shelter to be put up for adoption will carry a fee of $35.
Euthanasia fees were also increased. Dogs up to 15 pounds and cats carry a fee of $25, dogs between 15 and 30 pounds are $35, and dogs over 30 pounds will cost the owner $50. Other animals under 5 pounds will cost $10, while others over 5 pounds will carry a fee of $25.
