A. Although the City intends for City staff to review administrative matters to the extent feasible, the City may retain the services of independent experts of its choice to provide technical and legal evaluations of permit applications for small wireless facilities and poles. The expert’s review may include, but is not limited to:
1. The accuracy and completeness of the items submitted with the application;
2. The applicability of analysis and techniques and methodologies proposed by the applicant;
3. The validity of conclusions reached by the applicant; and
4. Whether the proposed small wireless facilities comply with the applicable approval criteria set forth in this Chapter.
B. The applicant shall pay the actual, direct and reasonable cost for any independent consultant fees through a deposit, within ten (10) days of the City’s request. When the City requests such payment, the application shall be deemed incomplete for purposes of application processing timelines until the deposit is received. In the event that such costs and fees do not exceed the deposit amount, the City shall refund any unused portion within thirty (30) days after the final permit is released or, if no final permit is released, within thirty (30) days after the City receives a written request from the applicant. If the costs and fees exceed the deposit amount, then the applicant shall pay the difference to the City. (Ord. C2021-5, 8-24-2021)