Fiscal Note
The City issues Street Occupancy and Street Opening permits (SOP) to assist in construction/renovation projects with and adjacent to the public right-of-way (ROW). The SOPs serve a dual purpose of protecting the City’s infrastructure and of ensuring the public’s continued use of the ROW safely with limited impediment. Building contractors and homeowners are required to secure an SOP if, during the construction period, they are required to use the ROW (street, terrace or sidewalk) to store materials, place a dumpster, erect a crane or any other construction related activity. The City of Madison SOP program is currently administered by a one employee, a Traffic Control Specialist, CG16-R19. To increase compliance and improve communication with contractors, the 2017 Board of Estimates adopted operating budget amendment #25 created a second position (Civil Technician1, CG16-R12) to assist in the administration of the SOP program. To fund the new position, the amendment increased the SOP fees (see attachments). This ordinance codifies the new fees.
Traffic Engineering estimates increased revenue from the fee changes to be $70,000-$100,000 annually. The City of Madison SOP fees are roughly one quarter and one eighth the cost of similar fees in Milwaukee and Chicago respectively, although the fee structures vary between the cities.
Title
Amending Section 10.055 of the Madison General Ordinances to update the street occupancy permit fees.
Body
DRAFTER'S ANALYSIS: This amendment updates the street occupancy permit fees to reflect the additional costs incurred by the City’s Traffic Engineering Division to administer this permit. After assuming authority over this ordinance in 2015, the Traffic Engineering Division has determined that it needs an additional full-time staff member to administer this permit. As a result of the new City expenses being incurred, the permit fees are being increased to allow the City to better recover its costs.
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