In the event that it is necessary for the village to retain the services of a professional, including, but not limited to, attorneys, engineers, planners, architects, surveyors, traffic or drainage experts, or other consultants, in connection with any petitioner's request for the village to consider or otherwise take action upon any zoning change, special use, planned unit development, variation from village code, subdivision or other improvement or development upon real property, then the petitioner and the owner of the property shall be jointly and severally liable for payment of such professional fees and reimbursement shall be made to the village within thirty (30) days of receipt of an invoice for same. In addition, any expenses incurred, including, but not limited to, mailing and copying, as a result of any such request, application, or development application shall be reimbursed to the village in the same manner. Further, any professional fees incurred as a direct or indirect result of a party requesting a professional opinion or otherwise requesting relief or assistance from the village, whether or not related to real property, shall be reimbursed in accordance with this section if, in the discretion of the village, a professional opinion is desired. (Ord. 89-1799, 2-6-1989)
Failure to reimburse the village in accordance with this subsection may, in the village's discretion, result in the refusal of any board, committee or other governing body to consider or take action upon any further requests from a petitioner or owner who has failed to pay in full all amounts due under this section. Further, the village may deny any application for a grading, building or other permit if such amounts have not been paid in full and the village may elect to file a lien against any real property associated with such a petitioner's request. Interest in the amount of a percentage, as established by the village, per month shall accrue on all sums outstanding for thirty (30) days or more.
When any professional services contemplated by this section are rendered by the village staff, including any staff engineers, or services performed by the assistant village manager, then, the party making the request shall reimburse the village for its costs incurred by providing the professional services of the village staff, at the rate as established by Title 1, Chapter 20, “Fees, Fines, Insurance, Guarantees, and Regulatory Measures”.
The village manager or his designee, is hereby authorized to assign requests for professional services to village staff or to consultants as the village manager deems appropriate.
(Ord. 85-1366, 12-2-1985; amd. Ord. 89-1799, 2-6-1989; Ord. 2021-4921, 9-20-2021)