Post Falls to study impact fees

POST FALLS - Post Falls believes it's time to update its impact fees on new growth.

The City Council tonight is expected to approve an agreement with TischlerBise for a four-month study for $44,380 that would be paid for by impact fees.

"Since the last update of the city's impact fee structure in 2006-07, much has occurred with the nation's economy that has significantly impacted the development activity within the city," city administrator Eric Keck said.

"We are now in a position that requires a comprehensive analysis of our fee methodology and structure to ensure that we are in compliance with (state law), but also have capital improvement plans that are realistic and relevant when growth has slowed as it has."

TischlerBise also did the city's last impact fee study.

Keck said it is likely that changes to the CIPs will result in a lower impact fee schedule.

"It is important to understand that this will be the case due to the slowdown in development not creating a demand for some of the capital projects initially thought necessary," Keck said.

The council will also hold a public hearing on recreation fee increases, City Hall usage fees and a new fee aimed at reducing nuisance complaints on parked hobby or broken down vehicles.

A 30-day salvage permit fee of $75 - or $300 for up to six months - would allow residents to work on their inoperable, unregistered vehicles so they can be moved, registered or stored in a garage or shop.

On the six-month permit, citizens would be eligible for a refund of $50 per month if the vehicle is removed from the premises prior to the expiration of the permit.

"We're trying to reduce the number of abandoned vehicle complaints," Post Falls Police Chief Scot Haug said.

"We're giving people an avenue to take care of the vehicle, but not leave it sit out there for years on end. Our staff is in education mode right now on the ordinance."

The ordinance was approved earlier, and the hearing will be on the fee amounts.

City officials say the fee is part of an effort to clean up the community.

In other business, the council is expected to approve a contract with JUB Engineers for $66,700 to design and install traffic signals at the intersection of Poleline Avenue and Greensferry Road and approve the annual street report.

The city added 1.09 miles of streets in 2010, rebuilt and realigned 8.18 miles and chip sealed 25.54 miles.

The report also states the city proposes to construct $14.7 million worth of street projects within the next five years.