City of Culver City, California
City Council Agenda Item Report
A5-1
RECOMMENDATION:
Staff recommends the City Council consider fee waiver/reduction requests from the
Westside Regional Center and direct staff as deemed appropriate.
BACKGROUND:
Each year, the City Council adopts various fees and charges for the City as part of
the budget process. In 2007, the City Council authorized a comprehensive review of
all of the City’s fees. As part of that process, a consultant was selected to perform a
comprehensive update to the City’s fees and charges. Effective for Fiscal Year
2007/2008, the updated fees and charges, many of which had increased as a result
of inflation and a higher level of cost recovery, were adopted by the City Council.
Pursuant to the newly adopted fees and charges, staff has been informing various
groups and individuals of the fees and charges now applicable.
DISCUSSION:
At a recent Council meeting, the Westside Regional Center requested a fee waiver.
Westside Regional Center (WRC)
Based upon information from their website, the WRC “offers assessment, case
management and support to persons with developmental disabilities… The regional
center system that serves people with developmental disabilities in California has
grown from the first two centers in 1966 to a network of 21 agencies covering every
area of the state. Each center is a private, nonprofit corporation, funded by a
Meeting Date: 03/09/2009 Item Number: A-5
AGENDA ITEM: Consideration of Fee Waiver/Reduction Requests from the
Westside Regional Center.
Contact Person/Dept.:
Pam Robinson
Phone Number:
(310) 253-6000
Fiscal Impact: Yes [X] No [] General Fund: Yes [X] No []
Public Hearing: [] Action Item: [X] Attachments: [X]
Public Notification: Master E-Mail Notification List (03/04/09); Representatives of:
Westside Regional Center (by telephone – 03/04/09).
Department Approval:
Martin R. Cole (03/04/09)
City Attorney Approval:
Carol Schwab (by H. Baker) (03/04/09)
Chief Financial Officer Approval:
Jeff Muir (by N. Kimball) (03/04/09)
City Manager Approval:
Jerry B. Fulwood (03/05/09) City of Culver City, California
City Council Agenda Item Report
A5-2
contract with the State Department of Developmental Services. Each has a Board of
Directors that includes clients, parents, professionals, and other concerned
community members.” The service area for the Westside Regional Center includes
Culver City.
The WRC has rented a room at the Veterans Memorial Building since 2005. Each
year, the WRC was charged approximately $2,500 depending on the number of
rooms they rented. This year, the WRC was quoted a rental fee of $2,504 for their
Westside Jam on March 27, 2009 (please note, under the new fees and charges
schedule, this fee is for a lower number of rooms).
FISCAL ANALYSIS:
The revenues projected for Fiscal Year 2008/2009 and those to be projected for
Fiscal Year 2009/2010 have been based upon the fees and charges included in the
adopted fees and charges schedule. Therefore, each fee waiver/reduction granted
would lower the amount of revenues received by the City. Given the current deficit
estimated at $500,000, every reduction in revenue would require either an increase
in revenue in another General Fund area or a further reduction in expenditures
above the $500,000 in reductions already needed to end Fiscal Year 2008/2009 with
an operating surplus.
Should the City Council grant the fee waivers/reductions as requested, the following
revenue impacts would be realized:
ORGANIZATION FY 2009/2010 FY 2010/2011
Westside Regional Center $2,504 $2,604*
• *City User Fees and Charges are typically increased on an annual basis to account for, at
minimum, cost-of-living-allowances (COLA). In order to address potential COLA increases, the
table above includes a 4% increase to the 2010/2011 estimate.
ATTACHMENTS:
1. E-Mail from the Westside Regional Center
MOTION:
That the City Council:
City of Culver City, California
City Council Agenda Item Report
A5-3
(1) Approve the fee waiver request as presented; OR
(2) Approve the fee waiver request in the amount of $__________ resulting
in a revised fee of $__________; OR
(3) Deny the fee waiver request (thereby leaving the current fee in the fee
and charges schedule applicable);
AND
(4) (If motion 1 or 2 is adopted) Authorize the City Attorney to review/prepare
the necessary documents including the amended fee amounts authorized by
the City Council; and,
(5) (If motion 1 or 2 is adopted) Authorize the City Manager to execute such
documents on behalf of the City.
MEETING DATE: March 9, 2009
AGENDA ITEM: Consideration of Fee Waiver/Reduction Requests from
the Westside Regional Center.
ATTACHMENTS
I. E-Mail from Westside Regional Center
Pades
'I -Dear Mr. Cole,
First of all, thank you so much for your time and advice on the phone last week. I am writing on behalf of Kecia Weller,
Linda Butler, and the self-advocates here at Westside Regional Center. As you know, the group has been to the past
couple of Culver City Council meetings and Kecia and Linda have made passionate requests for a fee waiver or
reduction of rental costs for the Vets Memorial Building to be used for the Westside Jam on March 27 th . The event is a
celebration that acknowledges the achievements of our adult clients and also serves as a venue for clients to share
information, promote self-advocacy, and encourage one another to lead independent lives.
We realize that at the moment the City Council is receiving more requests than it can possibly grant. I am hoping that
you can assist me in getting our request on the agenda for consideration. Or, is there another possible way to petition
the Council members for the waiver/reduction? Should we put a request in writing or possibly e-mail or the Council
Members? I was very interested in the discussion and stayed for quite a while this past Monday to hear the
consideration of the Exchange Club's request, Unfortunately, (had to leave before I heard any resolution. Our request
is much more minimal compared to the Exchange Club; the rental charges are $2504.00, but account for nearly 50% of
the event's budget. A few waiver would be wonderful, but any reduction in the charges would certainly help us to mount
a successful event. During this time of budget cuts and reductions to Regional Center services, your consideration is
greatly appreciated. Please let me know if you have any recommendations as to how we should proceed.
I have attached a copy of the Self-Advocacy newsletter compiled by our Client Advisory Committee, which contains info
on the Westside Jam and the self-advocacy groups. Please let me know if you would like other information, Again,
thanks so much for your time and consideration.
Sinceredy,
Carmine Manicone