Resolved Updated

harbor sludge tipping fee

Fee to cover city costs for accepting and disposing dredged harbor sludge.

What to Watch
Whether the city actually bills the Army Corps for harbor sludge disposal and how the fee is calculated and applied.
Coming Up

Typically discussed at City Council. Check back when the next agenda is published.

The Story

After a 5-3 tabling in November, the City Council came back Dec. 15 and passed the citywide fee overhaul 9-0, including a new harbor sludge dumping fee the city can charge the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers. Council also added limits on inspection fees ($2,500 residential; $100,000 commercial) before approving the package.

Key Decisions
  1. passed 9-0 City Council · Dec 15, 2025

    25-228 Ordinance to Amend Chapters 1-2-1 of the Municipal Code, Fees (Tabled from November 17, 2025 meeting)

    Motion to waive reading and adopt the ordinance with the amendment of a $2500 cap on residential projects and $100,000 cap on commercial projects for inspection fees

    Mark Bittner Yes
    Doug Brandt Yes
    Shannon Derby Yes
    Bill LeClair Yes
    Darla LeClair Yes
    Tim Petri Yes
    Bonnie Shimulunas Yes
    Scott Stechmesser Yes
    Adam Wachowski Yes
  2. passed 5-3 City Council · Nov 17, 2025

    25-228 Ordinance to Amend Chapters 1-2-1 of the Municipal Code, Fees

    Motion made by D. LeClair, seconded by Shimulunas to table this item to a future work session agenda (25-228 Ordinance to Amend Chapters 1-2-1 of the Municipal Code, Fees)

    Shannon Derby Yes
    Bill LeClair Yes
    Darla LeClair Yes
    Bonnie Shimulunas Yes
    Adam Wachowski Yes
    Mark Bittner No
    Doug Brandt No
    Scott Stechmesser No
Record

  1. Council voted 5-3 to table (not adopt) Ordinance 25-228 updating the city’s master fee schedule, including a new harbor sludge tipping fee chargeable to the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, higher short-term rental license fees, and changes to building permit fee calculations.

    City Council

  2. Council discussed the tabled fee overhaul; the main focus was a draft building permit fee change to a percentage-based model that would substantially increase costs for new construction and large commercial projects.

    City Council Work Session

  3. Staff argued the city has been undercharging and not covering inspection costs; council members raised concerns about large increases and asked for alternative fee structures, including caps and square-footage models.

    City Council Work Session

  4. Council directed staff to return with multiple revised options for the Dec. 1 meeting.

    City Council Work Session

  5. Council adopted Ordinance 25-228 updating the master fee schedule, including creating a new harbor sludge tipping fee that can be charged to the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, plus other fee changes.

    City Council

  6. Council amended the ordinance to cap inspection fees at $2,500 for residential projects and $100,000 for commercial projects.

    City Council

  7. Final vote to adopt the ordinance was 9-0.

    City Council
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