HomeMy WebLinkAboutFD-1-90~/' c.
TOWN OF NEWCASTLE
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REPORT Fite #lo~{• 13 ~R
Res. #
By-Law #
hEETING:
DATE:
GENERAL PURPOSE AND ADMINISTRATION COMMITTEE
MARCH 19, 1990
REPORT #: FD 1-9o FILE #:
~Jg,FCI; REMUNERATION FOR SPECIAL INSPECTIONS
RECOMMENDATIONS:
1. That Report FD 1-90 be received;
2. That,'effective May 1, 1990, a fee be established for special
inspections of properties requested for property transactions;
3. That the aforementioned fee be established at a rate of
$50.00/hour, and collected in accordance with all other fees
and services collected by the municipality.
~ 1 - BACKGROUND
1.1 It is general practice for law firms representing the
purchaser of properties to request a fire inspection
of the given property prior to the closing date of the
purchase. This will allow the purchaser to ensure that
no violations of Fire Code matters exist prior to the transfer
of ownership of the property. These requests are often
received on short notice and require not only an
inspection being carried out by the Fire Prevention
Officer, but also involves the preparation of an
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inspection report being prepared by clerical staff and the
possible re-inspection of the property if any contraventions
of the Fire Code are found. It is anticipated that twenty to
thirty requests of this nature are received annually.
1.2 These inspections must be done in a short period of time
given the fact that the inspection, report and re-
inspection must be completed prior to the closing date
of the purchase. This may disrupt the normal work
schedule of those involved in the inspection process,
given the limited staff available for these duties.
2 - COMMENTS
2.1 Several fire departments within the Region of Durham
are presently in the process of charging a user fee
for special inspections requested for property trans-
actions.
2.2 The fees charged by some of these departments are on an
hourly basis as follows:
a. Pickering is presently charging $40.00 per hour with
a minimum charge of one hour. They are also planning
an increase of this fee to $60.00 per hour in 1990
given the increasing costs for personnel.
b. Ajax is presently charging $30.00 per hour for the
first hour, and additional hours are at a rate equal
to the hourly rate of a Captain. (approx. $26.00/hr)
Past practice in Ajax, prior to going to an hourly
rate was to charge at a rate of $30.00 per unit. This
would involve a charge of, for example, $150.00 for a
commercial complex with 5 units. (i.e.; strip mall)
c. Whitby is presently charging $30.00 per hour with a
minimum charge of one hour. They are planning an
increase to $50.00 per hour in 1990.
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3 - RECOMMENDATIONS
3.1 It is respectfully recommended that consideration be given
to the establishment of an inspection fee for inspections
requested for property transactions.
3.2 That this fee be effective as of May 1, 1990.
3.3 That such fees be charged at a rate of $50.00 per hour to
cover the time involved for inspections, preparation of
reports, and re-inspections for such transactions.
Respectfully Submitted,
r--
Michael G. Creig ton
Fire Chief
Recommended For Presentation
To The Committee,
Lawrence
Chief Ad
Kotseff
strative Officer
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