1999 AGN AUG 17 I20 - Laserfiche WebLink

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PASSPORT ACCEPTANCE FACILITY August 4, 1999 Page 2 On July 29, 1999, City Clerk Barrera and Deputy City Clerk Delgado visited San Bernardino City Hall to observe the passport facility established there. The City of San Bernardino's City Clerk, Rachel Clark, reviewed the steps she took to request and implement the operation. She generously shared documents and offered to help us in any way possible. Of course, she expressed concern over losing any revenue for the City of San Bernardino, and we agreed that there was enough business to go around. In fact, City Clerk Clark mentioned that from time to time they were overwhelmed with the number of customers they received, especially after the swearing-in of new citizens. To advertise the availability of the San Bernardino Passport Acceptance facility, City Clerk Rachel Clark spread the word to the citizens via the City's access channel, the web page, local newspapers, flyers and brochures. As a result, San Bernardino's statistics revealed that in the time period from January 11, 1999 to June 30, 1999, the City of San Bernardino processed 2,095 passports and realized $31,425 from the $15 per application processing fee. In addition, as a one-stop process, the office had 882 requests for photographs, and at $12.00 per request, they realized $10,584. The City of San Bernardino received $42,009 from this investment and realized more than double the original estimated revenue ($18,200), after the start-up costs of $2,246.75 were deducted. Obviously, no worthy adventure is without problems. Rachel Clark noted that she became aware, through newspapers, of complaints from local photographers who claimed the City was taking their business. She indicated that she had informed all businesses, via letter, of the anticipated action to establish a one-stop passport facility and she had assured the businesses that the City would provide a list of local photo services to the public. She was true to her promise and the businesses have received free advertisement courtesy of the City. The City of Colton has three photography businesses situated in its locale. This office will notify each of them of the proposed action, which will allow them the opportunity to speak up at the City Council's Regular Meeting of August 17, 1999. Additionally, this office will make a list of the photography businesses, and we will make said list available to the public, free of charge. The City of San Bernardino has designated 10 members of its staff as Passport Agents and offers its passport services from 9:00 AM to 3:00 PM, Monday through Thursday (except holidays) and from 9:00 AM to 2:00 PM on Friday (except holidays), a total of 29 hours per week. It is the Colton City Clerk's intent to designate its staff of four as passport agents. With current projects in progress, it is a correct assessment that the majority of work will be accomplished by three of the staff members. At this time, the Colton City Clerk is proposing passport services from 7:30 AM to 3:30 PM, Monday through Thursday (except holidays), for a total of 32 hours per week.