Fee and Tax Increases on Tonight's City Council Agenda

Lots of fee and tax increases are on the agenda for tonight’s City Council meeting. Here are the major ones recommended for approval: 

• Business license fees, the Emergency Communications System Access Tax, and the Emergency Medical Services Tax would all increase by 1.4 percent based on the annual adjustment of the Consumer Price Index.
• The fee for having an impounded vehicle released would increase from $160 to $175.
• Berth rentals at the San Leandro Marina would increase by 5 percent, and live aboard fees would increase by $25/month.
• Sewer service rates would increase by 5 percent.
• The base rate for taxis operating in the city would rise from $2 to $3; the mileage rate would increase from $2.40 to $2.60; and the wait fee would increase from $24/hour to $26/hour.
• Film companies would be exempted from obtaining a city business license if their project in the city lasts only up to three days and involves up to three cast and crewmembers. Currently all film companies filming in the city, with the exception of students, must obtain a business license. (The city gets an average of six to eight inquiries about filming in San Leandro every year, but only one or two projects actually take place, according to the staff report.) 

Also tonight, City Council is expected to approve an additional allocation of $121,539, on top of $25,000 already contributed, to help cover the costs of dissolving a county aid agency that due to financial mismanagement. The agency, Alameda County Associated Community Action Program, which provided services to poor and disadvantaged county residents, is comprised of the county and 12 cities, including San Leandro. 

All members are contributing funds to pay off the agency’s debts. San Leandro city staff is recommending the city’s contribution be taken from the undesignated balance of its General Fund. 

Also at tonight’s meeting, the council is expected to select a new vice mayor. The vice mayor, who takes place of the mayor if he or she is unable to serve, is selected yearly during the first meeting in May. 

The council will also hear a presentation on the city’s energy efficiency program. The mayor is also expected to read a proclamation honoring three San Leandro Police officers who lost their lives in the line of duty.

In closed session, the council will discuss the latest in the filed by Faith Fellowship Foursquare Church against the city.

The full City Council agenda is attached. Related documents can be found on the city’s website. The public meeting will begin at 7 p.m. in .