Trudi Ryan, Planning Officer, reported that staff took a closer look at the fees due to the budget crisis. She asked the Commission to review the Community Development recommended fees. She highlighted the new fees recommended: 1) Preliminary Planning Review Fee, 2) Mills Act Contract Request, 3) General Plan Maintenance Fee and 4) Color Reproduction Fee. She noted that the increases are reasonable and are still less than the actual cost of the application. She also noted that Design Reviews and Tree Removal Permits remain to be no fee to assist the public to comply with the code. She stated that Boards & Commissions are asked to review the proposed fees.

Comm. Swegles asked Ms. Ryan if other cities have charged a General Plan Amendment fee. Ms. Ryan responded yes and that there are communities such as Morgan Hill and Los Gatos that already have a General Plan Maintenance Fee in addition to the planning permit fees. Furthermore, she noted that since the state law passed, numerous cities throughout the state would be charging this fee.

Comm. Swegles asked if the fees are in the same range and how are the fee increase compared to other cities. Ms. Ryan responded that the fee would vary and of the six cities surveyed, Sunnyvale is lower and below average.

Comm. Swegles further asked if there is any fee for signs particularly political signs. Ms. Ryan responded that permanent signs will continue to have a fee and temporary and political signs remains to be no fee. Ms. Ryan added that Neighborhood Preservation Division can impose a fine for any code violations.

Comm. Moylan inquired whether staff received the latest figures that the ad hoc committee discussed earlier in the day. Ms. Ryan said no.

Vice Chair Babcock clarified with staff whether currently there is no fee for Preliminary Reviews. Ms. Ryan responded yes but staff is proposing to have one.

Comm. Satterlee stated that she is convinced that the fee increases are reasonable and do not have a negative effect to the developers. She recommended that private comments could be taken to City Council.

Comm. Chu concurred with Comm. Satterlee and he commented that the recommendation should only be for areas within the Commission's purview. He thanked staff for the efficient work.

Comm. Moylan stated that there is currently a 1.4 million dollar gap and expressed concerns that the fees being proposed do not include all possible fee increases or new fees that could potentially help increase revenue. He commented that he does not support the proposed fee for video rental.