FIRM SUGGESTS FEE HIKES TO RAISE REVENUE IN T.O.; COUNCIL READY TO REVIEW REPORT TUESDAY.

Byline: Cecilia Chan Daily News Staff Writer

New fees for business licenses, lost library cards and other city services are recommended in a detailed report on ways to help recover costs at City Hall.

The City Council will review the 500-page report and hear from the consultant Tuesday during a study session expected to last three to four hours.

``I think the report fulfills the goal that was set out, and that was to do a full cost analysis and study of our fee structure,'' said Robert Biery, city finance director. ``For the current resident, (the impact), I would say, is minimal.''

According to the consultant, Revenue Cost Specialists LLC, which was paid $86,200 for the work, the document is to guide the City Council on ``how the city can continue as a viable financial entity'' and ``finance the services and facilities that its citizens and business enterprises have come to expect.''

Some of the consultant's proposed fee changes include:

Increasing the rental fee for the Janss Pool from $142, which includes a $50 refundable cash deposit, to $240.

Charging a $30 fee for processing a new business license, which is now free.

Increasing the cost of replacing a lost library card from $2 to $3 and increasing the book reservation fee from 50 cents an item to $2 an item.

Increasing the cost for a zone change from $1,900 up to $3,640 or down to $1,820 if processed concurrently with a General Plan amendment.

Increasing a farm animal permit from $30 to $160.

Increasing an oak tree permit cost from $80 for the removal of one to three trees at a single-family residence to $540.

Biery said he wouldn't yet detail the highlights, saying the report will be presented in full Tuesday.

``It's shooting in the dark because I think that it's such a voluminous report, everything from copy charges to grading permits to charges for the library,'' he said. ``The report has just been released and that is what the study session is all about Tuesday night, to really walk through it and let everybody have a chance to react to it.''

The document will be circulated for public review until the hearing date, tentatively scheduled for April 13. At that time, the City Council could adopt the recommendations.

The council approved the study in June 1997.