CITY COUNCIL: Resolution Approving Exemption of Building Permit Fees for Disabled Veterans

Meeting Date: March 2, 2010
Prepared by: Tim Meroney
Reserve Police Officer
Building Official (Retired)

City Council
Agenda Item Summary

Name: Consideration of a Resolution approving the exemption of building permit fees for disabled veterans making alterations for disabled access at their private residences.

Description: This Resolution would approve waiving building permit fees for any disabled veteran who makes alterations for disabled access on their private property. After returning home with a permanent or temporary disability as a result of service in the United States military, an individual may find it necessary to alter certain aspects of his or her home or property for improved accessibility.

The Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) affords disabled persons the right to have reasonable accommodation and thereby eliminates any discrimination where disabled access is required. This Resolution assists vets in making accessibility improvements to their homes by eliminating the building permit fees required.

Overall Cost: N/A

Staff Recommendation: Approve the Resolution.

Important Considerations: None

Decision Record: None.

Reviewed by:

______________________________ _________________
Rich Guillen, City Administrator Date

CITY OF CARMEL-BY-THE-SEA
STAFF REPORT
TO: MAYOR McCLOUD AND COUNCIL MEMBERS
FROM: TIM MERONEY, RESERVE POLICE OFFICER
THROUGH: CITY ADMINISTRATOR RICH GUILLEN
DATE: FEBRUARY 20, 2010
SUBJECT: CONSIDERATION OF A RESOLUTION APPROVING THE EXEMPTION OF BUILDING PERMIT FEES FOR DISABLED VETERANS MAKING ALTERATIONS FOR DISABLED ACCESS AT THEIR PRIVATE RESIDENCES

RECOMMENDED MOTION
Staff recommends adoption of the Resolution.

BACKGROUND AND DISCUSSION
There was a recent Internet discussion among several California city building officials about waiving fees for disabled veterans who are remodeling their homes or properties to add or install disabled access at their residences.

Out of the many comments from the various city building officials, there was no evidence of such building fee exemptions for disabled veterans under such circumstances.

Adoption of this Resolution would demonstrate the City’s support and appreciation of the service given by disabled veterans in this community.

CITY OF CARMEL-BY-THE-SEA
CITY COUNCIL
RESOLUTION 2010-
A RESOLUTION OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF CARMEL-BY-THE-SEA APPROVING THE EXEMPTION OF BUILDING PERMIT FEES FOR DISABLED VETERANS MAKING ALTERATIONS FOR DISABLED ACCESS AT THEIR PRIVATE RESIDENCES

WHEREAS, the City of Carmel by-the-Sea is committed to support and honor the service of all of its residents who are military veterans; and

WHEREAS, based on the past history of the City’s support and cooperation with employee(s) that have been called to active duty; and

WHEREAS, residents of the City who have been disabled through active military duty and are in need of appropriate access in and around their private property shall be afforded every opportunity to do so at no cost through the permitting process; and

WHEREAS, the Planning Services Manager and/or Building Official shall review each such application for its merit and review the fees as necessary by adding a memo waiving these fees to the application filed at City Hall; and

WHEREAS, this Resolution shall take effect at its earliest lawful date or at the first application of a disabled veteran seeking a permit for said alterations, whichever comes first.

NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED THAT THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF CARMEL-BY-THE-SEA DOES:

1. Adopt this Resolution in its entirety.

PASSED AND ADOPTED BY THE CITY OF COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF CARMEL-BY-THE-SEA this 2nd day of March 2010, by the following roll call vote:

AYES: COUNCIL MEMBERS:
NOES: COUNCIL MEMBERS:
ABSENT: COUNCIL MEMBERS:

SIGNED,

_________________________
SUE McCLOUD, MAYOR

ATTEST:

_________________________
Heidi Burch, City Clerk