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HomeMy WebLinkAbout26-City Clerk - 7"', . \'> '. .. CITY OF SAN BERNARDINO - REQUEST FOR COUNCIL ACTION From: Rachel G. Clark, City Clerk Department: City Clerk Subject: Request Endorsement of Plan to Establish a Passport Acceptance Facility in the City Clerk's Office Date: August 18, 1998 ORIGINAL SvnoDsis of Previous Council Action: None Reconunended Motions: Motion #1: That the Mayor and Conunon Council endorse the City Clerk's plan to establish a Passport Acceptance Facility in the City Clerk's Office and support the City Clerk's submittal of a letter to the Department of State, Los Angeles Passport Agency, requesting that the City Clerk's Office be designated as a Passport Acceptance Facility. Motion #2: Authorize the Director of Finance to increase the City Clerk's expenditure budget by $2500 to reflect anticipated start-up costs as outlined in attached staff report, dated August 18, 1998, from City Clerk Rachel G. Clark; and increase budgeted general fund revenues by $18,200 to reflect estimated revenue to be received from Passport Program. ~ J;;. ~e Contact person: Rachel G. Clark. Citv Clerk SUDDorting Data Attached: Yes FUNDING REQUIREMENTS: Phone: extension 5002 Ward: CitYWide Amount: See Council Notes Below Source: Account D;sc~~tion: Finance:~..w ~ Council Notes: AnticiDated revenues are $18.200 and'anticiDated start-UD costs are $2.500. revenue to General Fund is estimated to be $15.700. Net Agenda Item NO.~ 1/t/'If , STAFF REPORT TO: DATE: FROM: SUBJECT: Honorable Mayor & Members of the City Council August 18, 1998 Rachel G. Clark, City Clerk Request Endorsement of Plans to Establish a Passport Acceptance Facility in the City Clerk's Office BACKGROUND INFORMATION: The City Clerk's Office has an opportunity to enhance customer service to our citizens, promote public relations and generate revenue for our City's general funds. Let me explain how we can accomplish this. United States citizens who travel abroad may apply for a travel document known as a United States passport which is issued by the U.S. government attesting to the citizenship and identity of the holder. Federal regulations govern the documentary requirements to prove entitlement to a United States passport and one cannot be issued until the applicant has established his or her identity and claim to U.S. citizenship to the satisfaction of the Passport Service. Certain officials outside of the passport agency are authorized to accept passport applications as passport acceptance agents. Persons who may be specifically designated include city clerks and their deputies. Section 51.61(b) of 22 CFR authorizes city clerks, as state officials, to collect and retain a $15.00 fee for the execution under oath or affirmation of each passport application. In addition, the passport fee of $45.00 for those age 16 and older and $25.00 for children under age 16 is collected and sent to the passport agency along with the passport application. Given this opportunity, I would like to request that the Mayor and City Council endorse the City Clerk's plans to establish a passport Acceptance Facility in the City Clerk's Office and support the City Clerk's submittal of a letter to the Department of State, Los Angeles Passport Agency, requesting that the City Clerk's Office be designated as a Passport Acceptance Facility. A more detailed report, outlining timelines and proposed hours, start-up costs and projected revenues, is attached for your review. Also attached for your information is a fact sheet from the Los Angeles Passport Agency as well as a memorandum from Sandra Medina, Administrative Operations Supervisor, City Clerk's Office. Mrs. Medina and Eileen Gomez of the City Clerk's Office made a recent site visit to Upland's City Hall to observe firsthand the passport acceptance facility that has been in operation since August 1997. Unfortunately, Upland did not keep track of the total number of passport applications received during their first year of operation; however, they estimated that they process between 10 and 16 applications per day. Mrs. Medina's observations of the Upland facility are noted in her memorandum. Agenda Item No. , Financial Impact: Estimated revenue from this program for a six month period is $18,200. Start-up costs are estimated at $2,500. Financial impact to General Fund is a net increase in revenues of $15,700. This estimated revenue figure is a very conservative one as it does not take into account revenue of $12 per set of passport photos that the applicant may elect to have taken at the City Clerk's Office. Passport photo revenues go directly to the General Fund. Considering that the City Clerk's Office will provide a one-stop service, we may realize great success by offering this service of giving applicants opportunity to apply here as well as have their passport pictures taken here. The nearest passport acceptance facilities (post offices in San Bernardino and Redlands) do not offer passport photo services. Monthly reports will be provided to the Mayor and Council, City Administrator, and Finance Department, on the progress of this program. Recommended Motions: Motion #1: That the Mayor and Common Council endorse the City Clerk's plan to establish a Passport Acceptance Facility in the City Clerk's Office and support the City Clerk's submittal of a letter to the Department of State, Los Angeles Passport Agency, requesting that the City Clerk's Office be designated as a passport Acceptance Facility. Motion #2: Authorize the Director of Finance to increase the City Clerk's expenditure budget by $2500 to reflect anticipated start-up costs as outlined in staff report, dated August 18, 1998, from City Clerk Rachel G. Clark; and increase budgeted General Fund revenues by $18,200 to reflect estimated revenue to be received from Passport Program. ~1J~ Racliel G. Clark City Clerk Agenda Item No. 2 , PROPOSED PASSPORT ACCEPTANCE FACILITY CITY CLERK'S OFFICE CITY OF SAN BERNARDINO I. Authoritv: The authority to act as a passport acceptance agent is provided under Title 22 of the Code of Federal Regulations, part 51. 2. Proposed Start Date for Passport Acceptance Facility located in the City Clerk's Office, Citv of San Bernardino: January II, 1999 3. Proposed Hours of Operation: (except holidays) Monday through Thursday, 8:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. Fridays, 8:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m. 4. Proposed Site: City Clerk's Office to be relocated to east end of second floor of City Hall, 300 North "D" Street, San Bernardino. 5. Services to be provided bv the Citv Clerk's Office: . Provide designated area in the City Clerk's Office for receiving passport applications and taking passport photographs upon request of applicant. . Have a minimum of four staff members trained to accept passport applications. . Establish telephone line for passport inquiries. . Examine passport application and ensure it is completed in full by the applicant . Screen the citizenship evidence and photographs for acceptability. . Record the identification fully and accurately. . Collect the required fees and make sure the check or money order is in the correct amount and payable to the Passport Service. . Execute the application by having the applicant swear or affirm as to the truth of the statements given and witness the applicant's signature on the application. . Sign the application and place the authorized seal of the acceptance facility in the execution section of the application. . Ensure that passport applications are transmitted to the passport agency on a daily basis. . Passport photographs will be taken, at applicant's request, at a cost of $12. 6. Service Area Population: The City of San Bernardino has a current population of over 180,000 residents; however, it is anticipated that service area will reach beyond the city limits since the nearest passport acceptance facilities are located at the Post Office on Orange Show Road and at the Riverside County Clerk's Office. The Passport Acceptance Facility at the Post Office has limited hours and is open by appointment only. 7. Parking: Ample free parking is available in the five-level parking garage immediately south of City Hall. The fifth level of the parking garage leads directly to the second floor of City Hall where the City Clerk's Office is located. Additional free parking is also available in the Court Street parking lot located immediately north of City Hall. 3 8. Fees to be Charged: Service Passport fee Passport fee Processing fee Expedite fee Renewal fee Photographs Fee $45 (age 16 and over) $25 (age 15 and under) $15 (any age) $35 $40 $12 Paid to State Department State Department City of San Bernardino State Department State Department City of San Bernardino 9. Start-up Costs: Polaroid 203 Mini Portrait Camera - $873.00 2" x 2" die cutter - $245.00 I Tripod Model 6100 - $44.00 I Case of 669 film (25 two-packs) -$28.94 I Desktop Copier - $700 Printing costs (information handouts, etc.) estimated at $500.00 Total estimated start-up costs: $2500.00 10. Anticipated Revenues to the City of San Bernardino in FY 98-99: (based on conservative estimate of processing an average of 10 applications per day) 10 applications x $15 processing fee = $150.00/day 121 working days (1/11 - 6/30/99) x $150/day = $18,150.00 The estimated revenue of $18, 150 represents six months of the fiscal year and does not take into account additional revenues which would go directly to the City from fees charged for passport photographs. If there are any additional questions, please contact City Clerk Rachel G. Clark at (909) 384-5002. Agenda Item No. 4 OS/08/S8 WED 14:38 FAX 310 S7S S72S LA PASSPORT AGCY 141002 FACT SHEET Los Angeles Passport Agency PUBLIC TELEPHONE NUMBER: NATIONAL PASSPORT INFORMATION CENTER: (310) 575-5700 (Brief recorded information) '-900-225-5674 or '-888-362.8668 (for credit card users) HOURS OF SERVICE: LOCATIONlREGIONAL SERVICE AREA: 8:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m., Monday through Friday Closed federal holidays. Los Angeles Passport Agency 11000 Wilshire Blvd., Suite 1000 Los Angeles, CA 90024-3615 Located on the 1" floor of the federal building in Westwood (West Los Angeles), the Los Angeles Passport Agency is a regional office of the Department 01 State's Passport Services, providing passport issuance service to United Slates citizens. The region includes ail of Southern California from San Luis Obispo county in the North to the Mexico border. East to the Arizona/Nevada border and includes Clark county. Nevada (Las Vegas and vicinity). Northem California, Arizona, Utah and the rest of Nevada is serviced by the San Francisco Regional Passport Agency. HISTORY: The Los Angeles Passport agency opened in 1956 in downtown Los Angeles, relocated briefly to Lawndaie. c..... then moved to the 13'" floor at its present 'ocation in the West Los Angeles federal building in April. 1982. On Apri I 7, 1997, the agency moved from the 13'" floor to the 1" floor of the West Los Angeles federal building. The U. S. Passport Service, headquartered in Washington, DC, is an integral part of the U. S. Department 01 State's Bureau of Consular Affairs. Consular Bureau officers also staff all United States' embassies and consulates overseas. CUSTOMER SERVICE: The Passport Service has a long-standing commitment to providing excellent customer service to all United States citizens applying for a United States passport. In 1997, the Passport Service issued over 6.2 million passports nationwide to United States citizens. Our mission includes providing fast and efficient service ~o all entitled persons. In fiscal year 1997, the Los Angeles Passport Agency issued over 361,000 passports, nearly all of which were processed and delivered in less than 25 workdays. OUR PRODUCT: The United States passport is a travel document issued by the U.S. government attesting to the citizenship and identity of the holder. Federal regulations govern the documentary requirements to prove entitlement to a United States passport. A United States passport cannot be issued until the applicant has established his or her identity and ~Iaim to U.S. citizenship to the satisfaction of the Passport Servic@. 05/08/98 WED 14:37 FAl 310 575 5729 LA PASSPORT AGCY illI003 PASSPORT ACCEPTANCE SERVICE HOW DOES A U.S. CITIZEN APPLY FOR A U.S. PASSPORH Each applicant for a U.S. passport is required to complete the prescribed application form, "Application for Passport", DSP-11. The aoolicant must oersonallv aooear to submit the application to the passport agency or to an authorized passport acceptance facility. The applicant must present currently valid identification and submit proof of U.S. citizenship, two passport photos and the required passport and execution fees to the official executing the application. Each applicant is required to swear or affirm to the passport acceptance agent that the statements made on the application are true to the best of hislher knowledge and that the photographs submitted are a true likeness of himlher. There is a "Passport Application by Mail", DSP-B2, for use only by those who qualify. WHERE CAN AN APPLICANT SUBMIT THE PASSPORT APPLICATION! A U.S. citizen may apply for a passport at any regional passport agency or an authorized passport acceptance facility. WHAT IS AN AUTHORIZED PASSPORT ACCEPTANCE FACILITY! Certain officials outside of the passport agency are authorized to accept passport applications as passport acceptance agents. The authorized acceptance agents accept and execute passport applications at their usual place of business which is considered a passport acceptance facility. The authority to act as a passport acceptance agent is provided under Title 22 of the Code oi Federal Regulations, part 51. Section 51.21 of 22 CFR provides authorization to accept passport applications to a clerk of any Federal court, a clerk of any State court oi record, a postal employee designated by a postmaster at a post office which has been selected to accept passport applications, and anv other oerson soecificallv desillnated bv the SecretarY of State. Persons who may be specifically designated include military passport agents executing applications for no--fee passports for military personnel and their families, county clerks and their deputies who no longer have clerk of court duties and city clerks and their deputies. Section 51.61 (b) of 22 CFR authorizes county clerks and city clerks, as state officiais, to collect and retain a $15.00 fee for the execution under oath or affirmation of each DassDort aDDlication. In addition, the passport fee of $45.00 for those age 16 and older and $25.00 for children under age 16 is collected and sent to the passport agency along with the passport application. WHAT ARE THE RESPONSIBILITIES OF THE PASSPORT ACCEPTANCE FACILITY AND ACCEPTANCE AGENTS! The most important function of the acceptance agent is :0 establish the identity of the passport applicant. As part of the acceptance process the acceptance agent must: ... Examine the application and ensure that it is completed in full by the applicant. Screen the citizenship evidence and photographs for acceptability. Record the identification fully and accurately. Collect the required fees and make sure the check or money order is in the correct amount and payable to the Passport Service. Execute the application by having the applicant swear or affirm as to the truth of the statements given and witness the applicant's signature on tne application. Sign the application and place the authorized seal of the acceptance facility in the execution section of tne application. Ensure that passport applications are transmitted to the passport agency or the contracted bank for deposit of the fees on a dailv bati.. ... ... ... ... ... ... U~"UO~.O "~.L...~I r~ ",LU o;tlO) o"{~w .L.A r."~:.ruKJ: AGC'}" 141004 WHAT ARE THE RESPONSIBILITIES OF THE PASSPORT SERVICE' The regional passport agencies are responsible for determining the citizenship and identity of passport applicants based on the documents and identification submitted in accordance with established federal laws and guidelines. Ailer the application has been transmitted to the passport agency, it Is the responsibility of the agency to contact the applicant when necessary to submit additional information, documentation or identification. Once the citizenship and identity have been established, the application is approved for issuance and a passport book is prepared and delivered to the applicant by mail or in person for emergency service. WHAT ASSISTANCE DOES PASSPORT SERVICES (jIVE TO PASSPORT ACCEPTANCE FACILITIES! Each passport acceptance facility is provided with passport applications, all other related forms and a Passport Allent's Reference Guide by Passport Services free of charge. Passport Services is headquartered in Washington, DC with 14 regional offices throughout the U.S. The Los Angeles Passport Agency is the regional office for the Southem California area and Clark county, Nevada. The Customer Service Manager, Barbara Brophy, is the liaison officer between the Los Angeles PasspOrt Agency and the acceptance facilities in the Los Angeles region. A monthly newsletter is sent to all acceptance facilities by the Customer Service Manager. Organized training classes are provided tnroughout tne region witnout charge to all acceptance agents to provide training in passport acceptance procedures. In addition, a direct telephone line has been reserved as a "Hotline" especially for acceptance agents needing guidance or assistance. WHAT DOES PASSPORT ACCEPTANCE SERVICE GIVE TO THE COMMUNITYl 1 - COMMUNITY SERVICE Passport acceptance service provides a local source for community residents to easily and conveniently obtain passport application forms and submit passport applications. Without local service residents must travel, sometimes great distances through neavy traffic, to other areas for acceptance service, 2 - PROMOTES PUBLIC RELATIONS More than ever, government is realizing the importance of promoting good public relations with their "customers", the residents of the communities they serve. Passport acceptance facilities provide a vital service to U.S. citizens - the voters and taxpayers of the community. 3 - GENERATES REVENUE - The average time spent in accepting a passport application IS approximately 6 minutes. For each passport application accepted, a $ 15 execution fee is collected. The execution fee is retained by :ne state or city passport acceptance facility. The postal service, which submits the $15 fee along with the passport fee, is reimbursed at the national ievel. In addition to direct revenue, passport acceptance attracts customers who may wish to obtain other services from acceptance facilities. PLEASE CONTACT, BARBARA BROPHY, CUSTOMER SERVICE MANAGER FOR THE LOS ANGELES PASSPORT AGENCY FOR FURTHER DETAILS: (310) 575-5744 , \ \ CITY OF SAN BERNARDINO CITY CLERK'S OFFICE INTEROFFICE MEMORANDUM DATE: 08/17/98 Rachel Claj<~ty Clerk Sandra ffEtdlna, ~~trative Operations Supervisor Passport Center Observations Eileen Gomez (memo only) TO: FROM: RE: CC: On August 13, 1998, Eileen Gomez and I visited the City of Upland's Passport Center. Following are my observations of Upland's passport center: 1) The City of Upland has an area designated to handle passport applications. The area is located in the front area of their office. The area has plenty signs letting the customer know where to go. The hours of operations are also posted on the desk counter of the passport center. 2) Upland has a half time employee primary working the passport center. This person works half time in the City Clerk's Office and half time in the Community Development Department. 3) Upland also has an area closely located to the passport center where the photographs of the applicants are taken. The fee for taking the photographs is $12 for a pair of photographs. It only takes a few minutes for the duplicate pictures to develop. An instant Polaroid camera is used to take these pictures. Two duplicate photographs are needed for the passport application. 4) A private line is designated for the passport center. This line is only used for passport business. A recorded message is used during closed business hours giving the caller the information needed to apply for a passport. 5) Specific hours are assigned for processing passport applications. The City of Upland processes applications between 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. Upland City Hall hours are 7:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m. The passport center closes an hour before City Hall closes to allow them time to log and mail the passport applications received each day. Rachel Clark, City Clerk Page Two August 17, 1998 6) A daily log and the original applications with the photographs are sent to the State at the end of each day. Upland offers next day delivery and charges $35 for this service. Next day delivery must be sent by 5:00 p.m. to the post office. The primary person assigned to handle the passport applications delivers any next day requests to the post office at the end of each day. The City of Upland on the average processes approximately eight to ten applications a day. 7) Communication with other outside agencies is important to the success of the passport center. When the City of Upland first started the passport center, they contacted several local travel agencies, newspapers and their local post office. By informing these agencies of the new passport center, it immediately promoted the use of the center by local citizens. 8) The fees charged for processing passport applications are: Service Passport fee Passport fee Processing fee Expedite fee" Renewal fee Photographs Fee $45 (age 16 & over) $25 (age 15 & under) $15 (any age) $35 $40 $12 Paid to Paid to the State Paid to the State Paid separately to the City Paid separately to the City Paid separately to the City 9) The City of Upland created a flier which is available at their counter for the public. The flier contains the fees required to process a passport application. (See Attached Sample) 10) The City of Upland created and purchased a city stamp which must be stamped on every application processed. The stamp must have the city's name and must be in red or purple ink no other colors of ink are accepted. (See Attached Sample) 11) Upland also created a hand out that is given to each applicant informing them of approximately when they should receive their passport. Included on the hand out are telephone numbers they should call if they do not receive their passport or if they have questions related to their passport. This reduces the number of calls Upland receives related to questions of why they have not received their passport. (See Attached Sample) Rachel Clark, City Clerk Page Three August 17, 1998 12) Upland also created an alert sheet which informs the State that there is a potential problem with the attached passport application. (See Attached Sample) 13) The City of Upland does not question the legality of documents presented by an applicant; however; they do use the alert sheet when questioning an application. Staff members should not argue with the applicant. Staff are to process all applications as long as they have provided the required documents. In order to facilitate a passport center here in our City Clerk's Office the following issues need to addressed: a) Establish an area designated to handle passports. Office space is an issue here in our office. We are very limited in space and according to Upland, it's vitally important that a separate area be established. The area should have a separate desk where the main phone line rings and all the passport forms are to be kept there at all times. b) Establish an area where the photographs can be taken. (This is only if the City Clerk's Office decides to provide this extra service.) When taking the pictures, the area must have a white background. Keep in mind this also generates revenue for the City. The cost for a good quality Polaroid camera that takes duplicate pictures costs approximately $1,000. c) Determine what the hours of operation will be for the passport center. When determining the hours of operation, we must be sure to close at least one hour before our office closes to allow time to log and mail the passport applications received. The State provides all the required forms at no cost to the City; however, the City bears the postage cost for mailing the applications. If we decide to provide next day delivery service, we must determine which company we are going to use. The City of Upland uses the post office, however; there are other agencies such as Federal Express and UPS. d) Designated a private line for the passport center. I believe we can use the election line (384-5128). We will need a recorded message on this line informing applicants of pertinent information related to obtaining their passport. Rachel Clark, City Clerk Page Four August 17, 1998 e) Determine which staff members will receive training. At least 3 to 4 staff members should be trained. The training is held off site for one day at no cost to the City. The remaining staff can be trained by the State with a visit to our office. After the initial training, any new staff members can be trained by the existing staff. f) Determine how cash received for each application processed and picture fees will be handled. These are the fees paid to the City separately. I suggest that we process the cash utilizing a miscellaneous cash receipt and that the cash be received at Central Cashiering. An account number will need to be established. g) Create written procedures on how to process a passport application. h) Have at least two persons assigned to process passport applications. (A primary and backup person.) It's very important that someone be assigned this task, because at the end of each day, the applications processed that day must be mailed out. (When determining who will be the primary persons, I have an idea that I would like to present to you.) Having a passport center here at City Hall, I believe promotes a positive image to the citizens of the community. At the same time of promoting a good image, the City will be generating revenue. I support the passport center and would like to see the City go forward with it. I would like to suggest that we closely monitor the revenue generated and the amount of time devoted to processing passport applications along with the number of applications processed. I believe this information can be utilized in the future to justify hiring a full time person, if needed. If you need more information or have any other questions, I'll be gl~d to meet with you. Attachments " NEXT STOP .NYWNER~ IN TNE WOR~L[) -~ - Did you know the Upland City Clerk's Office provides full passport services? located in City Hall, the City Clerk's office can process ~, passport applicatians .'" ,- convenien~y. Just . "- bring the following .t# ~ information with you: · Original certified birth certi~cate (abstracts are unacceptable) or naturalization papers, two passport photographs (can be taken at office, $12 for the pair! · DSP11 form, available at office · valid driver's license · payment with check or money order ...... " --.----.. C;'~ .....' PASSPORT CHARGES Adult Passport (age 16 and over): 545, payable to Passport Services 515 for processin9, poyable to City of Upland Child Passport (age 15 and under): 525, poyable to Passport Services 515 for processin9, poyable to City of Upland Fr OY\+ Page " Passport Charges Continued Renewals: To renew a passpart that is about to expire or has expired less than 2 years ago, please MAIL IN the expired passport, two new photographs and a DSP 82 form, available at City Hall. This process must be done by mail il the expired passport was issued after the holder's 16th birthday. If the holder was younger than 16, a DSP11 form must be processed at the office. please allow 3 to 4 weeks for processing (up ~ to 5 weeks at peak ..... times.) II you are traveling before that time frame, you may expedite passport services to 14 working days by paying $35 per requested expedited passport. Renewal Passport Fees: $40 Expidile Fee: $35 Fees Age 16 Age 15 and over and under Passport Fee $45 $25 Execution Fee $15 $15 Total Fee $60 $40 "'C:.....--__""'"... ._,._~.. _c_''':: rn \L~_; ~ Oty of UpIcnl 460 North Eudid Avenue Uplond, Colilomia 91786 (909) 931-4100 Internet htlpj lei.uplond.co... TeleTopiG: 909-931.4321 \j~ck_:POcg~_ ___. _ _ . . . ~ Passport Services You applied for your passport on in the City of Upland, City Clerk's Office. Please allow weeks to receive your passport. If your plans change while you are waiting for your passport, the National Passport Information Center can provide assistance. You may speak with a .Coustoo; Service Representative by calling: 1-900-225-5674 TDD Users 1-900-225-7778 Automated Information: 35 cents per minute (24 hours) e.l~ ~1~ . ,,_ "., I ~. ' .! ~.-'.I,.- Customer Service Representative: $1.05 per minute (available from 8 am to 8 pm, Monday -Friday For Credit Card Users (Master, Visa, Amex) Call: 1-888-362-8668 TDD Users 1-888-498-3648 $4.95 flat rate To Passport Agency: Customer has been advised that following items may not be acceptable but has requested the application be submitted for your determination. o Citizenship proof may be incomplete or unacceptable. o Photographs may be unacceptable. o Name documentation incomplete. o Identification incomplete. o Other: (explain) Acceptance Agent ppIII&'bjbI8I98