Committee advances expansion of DBI audit-amnesty fee waivers to include DPW and fire fees

The committee voted July 13 to forward legislation that expands previously enacted fee waivers tied to the Department of Building Inspection (DBI) internal quality-control audit amnesty program to also cover fees charged by the Department of Public Works and the Fire Department.

Sponsor staff said the original legislation provided refunds and waived planning and building fees for property owners who were affected by a permit-fraud scandal involving permit expeditors and a senior inspector; the presenter named two individuals who pleaded guilty in that matter. The staffer said many property owners acquired affected properties after the unpermitted work occurred and were unaware of violations, so the expansion is intended to fill fees missed by the earlier measure and increase fairness.

There was no public comment at the committee. Chair Mirna Melgar moved to forward the ordinance with a positive recommendation; the clerk recorded three ayes and the motion passed.

The ordinance will go to the Board of Supervisors on July 21 as noted in the clerk’s guidance.