Report Prepared by: Janet German, Secretary III, Fire
Title
SUBJECT: Public Hearing - Merced Fire Department User Fees
REPORT IN BRIEF
Public Hearing to hear comments and adopt a resolution updating the Merced Fire Department's user fees.
RECOMMENDATION
City Council - Adopt Resolution 2016-48, A Resolution of the City Council of the City of Merced, California, Adopting Fees for Required Permitted Fire and Life Safety Inspections.
Body
ALTERNATIVES
1. Approve, as recommended by staff; or,
2. Approve, subject to other than recommended by staff; or,
3. Refer to staff for reconsideration of specific items; or,
4. Continue item to a Future Council meeting; or,
5. Deny the request.
AUTHORITY
Charter of the City of Merced, Section 412. Adoption of ordinances and resolutions. California Government Code Sections 66014, 66016, and California Health and Safety Code Section 19132 - 19132.3.
CITY COUNCIL PRIORITIES
Public safety, as provided for in the FY 16/17 Adopted Budget.
DISCUSSION
Background
The loss of human lives and businesses as a result of a fire is all the more tragic because much of it is preventable. Fire prevention is the most effective way of protecting citizens in the City of Merced from fires. Effective public education and fire prevention activities return immense dividends in the form of life and property saved. If a small amount of "prevention" can eliminate the need for a large scale and expensive fire response, and its related risk of loss of property and life, then "prevention" is an investment well made.
One of the best ways to prevent a fire is through routine building inspections, which are performed by Fire Prevention Bureau (FPB) staff and firefighters. The purpose of an inspection is to identify and correct code violations; educate business and property owners about fire and life safety; reduce fire loss (less fires equates to lower insurance rates); and to provide less demand on public safety services by reducing fi...
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