(A) The Council may hire any consultant and/or expert necessary to assist the Council in reviewing and evaluating the application, including the construction and modification of the site, once permitted, and any requests for rectification.
(B) An applicant shall deposit with the city funds sufficient to reimburse the city for all reasonable costs of consultant and expert evaluation and consultation to the Council in connection with the review of any application. The initial deposit shall be $8,500. These funds shall accompany the filing of an application and the city will maintain a separate escrow account for all such funds. The city's consultants/experts shall bill or invoice the city no less frequently than monthly for its services in reviewing the application and performing its duties. If at any time during the review process this escrow account has a balance less than $2,500, applicant shall immediately, upon notification by the city, replenish said escrow account so that it has a balance of at least $2,500. Such additional escrow funds must be deposited with the city before any further action or consideration is taken on the application. In the event that the amount held in escrow by the city is more than the amount of the actual billing or invoicing at the conclusion of the review process, the difference shall be promptly refunded to the applicant.
(C) The total amount of the funds set forth in division (B) of this section may vary with the scope and complexity of the project, the completeness of the application and other information as may be needed by the Council or its consultant/expert to complete the necessary review and analysis. Additional escrow funds, as required and requested by the city, shall be paid by the applicant.
(Ord. 2002-01, passed 2-13-02)