1. For every environmental checklist the city will review when it is lead agency, the city shall collect a fee as set forth in Chapter 3.104 LMC from the proponent of the proposal prior to undertaking the threshold determination, except that there shall be no checklist fee for building permits. The time periods provided by this chapter for making a threshold determination shall not begin to run until payment of the fee.

1. When the city is the lead agency for a proposal requiring an EIS and the responsible official determines that the EIS shall be prepared by employees and the city, the city may charge and collect a reasonable fee, as set forth in Chapter 3.104 LMC, from any applicant to cover costs incurred by the city in preparing the EIS. The responsible official shall advise the applicant(s) of the projected costs for the EIS prior to actual preparation; the applicant shall post bond or otherwise ensure payment of such costs.

2. The responsible official may determine that the city will contract directly with a consultant for preparation of an EIS, or a portion of the EIS, for activities initiated by some persons or entity other than the city and may bill such costs and expenses directly to the applicant. The city may require the applicant to post bond or otherwise ensure payment of such costs, as set forth in Chapter 3.104 LMC. Such consultants shall be selected by mutual agreement of the city and applicant after a call for proposals.

3. If a proposal is modified so that an EIS is no longer required, the responsible official shall refund any fees collected under subsections (B)(1) or (B)(2) of this section which remain after incurred costs are paid.