HomeMy WebLinkAbout10D - Buildg. Inspector Addn.
CITY COUNCIL AGENDA REPORT
May 6, 2002
10D
Frank Boyles, City Manager
AGENDA ITEM: CONSIDER APPROVAL OF REPORT REQUESTING THE ADDITION- OF A
BUILDING INSPECTOR TO ADDRESS ADDITIONAL DEVELOPMENT
RELATED WORK LOAD.
DISCUSSION: History: The City Council at its March 6, 2002 meeting adopted eight goals for
the City staff in 2002. Goal #1 relates to the creation of an environment of open
communication, trust, respect and cooperation within City government and
between City government and our community. The ir:!J.QlemenillliQo.p[gOJRf this,.
9..~al_~~.~?_~!"-,_it~DJ._ ~lCSJ ."states,,", ::eualuate-staftiag, needs'~'and"'FeGommend
adjustments as appropriate."
~iMo.~,..._~_".~:t,""'__.'i'll'~""",",$~..,;,.>:<~t,;;."",.~~:;.;f...:,."",......~f":'"~ ,\<;.".
Current Circumstances: The Minneapolis Star Tribune last Monday featured an
article citing United States Census statistics. According to the Census data, Scott
County is the 12th fastest growing County in the nation. Council members may
also have noticed that previous newspaper articles have shown Prior Lake with
the largest number of housing starts for certain months this year.
~\!:!f}.,.h.~y.~ .QP~.erY.e.ctan..acceleration.iFtFdeve+opment"'acttvity..both>in " the. building
inspection and.plannjngdepartments;:r.his~rysignificantbe0ause..actiy.ity in, the
.~2!~p~i!l~t.9.~E~r.![1J~D!.,~!!!.~~,t~ly Jra ns 1C3!e~.i ~!,2"C3~~ivity '. in" t~e.,~ u i I ding department.
BUII~lng permits fQr.~'?"QY,c.!n::..!9,tb<1,Rr~.~~~L~~~.~ter than las.t year:'
I
I
Comparison of Single-Family Attached and Detached
Permits
o
200
150
100/'
/
50/
---
I
Single Family
Attached
Single Family
Detached
Total
Each of the above permits generate about 12 inspections.
_OYr Plarlning .experienc.e j:,-equally robuct. ThQ Planning Dopartmellt it la-typical
~year,wm...pr.gceGc 3bQut 1 nn application\; of all types This Ylilar already-w.e have
16200 Eagle Creek Ave. S.E., Prior Lake, Minnesota 55372-1714 / Ph. (952) 447-4230 / Fax (952) 447-4245
I :\COU NCI L \AGNRPTS\2002\BU I LDI NG I NSP,ijH"W,liil000RTUNITY EMPLOYER
ISSUES:
processed 60 g4jrLARdLalO1le}..BighLnowJhe[e.,are fQ!JrJil}al plats awaiting
~'---".. -
processing. The"gOI,JJL<;:lU~.awa[e..thaLthe360 acre Jeffer's Pond with as many
as70Traweljing units, is likely to be received for processing this year. .
Conclusion: An adjustment in staff is necessary to be responsive to this increase
in a~tivity and its potential to impact our service levels.
I believe that it is appropriate to add a new full-time building inspector l?C?siti.9.[tto
~taf.L._I~~ Clg9itional irlspec::to~ will CiIJQIJV us to' e)(pegitlously ang thqrgughly
complete our plan review and inspection responsibilities. Inspection is our
primary means of protecting the public safety by attempting to assure that any
major defects in new structures are corrected before the building is occupied.
The way we intend to fill this position will benefit both Planning and Building
Inspection. Steve Horsman is our existing Zoning/Code Enforcement Officer in
Planning. Steve has an interest and inclination in Building Inspection. I propose
to reclassify Steve as a Building Inspector which is the same pay range. Steve
'Would be able to continue zoning enforcement at such time as the existing
activity levels subside. He would also be able to work on closing the many open
permits still on our records.
In Planning, we would reclassify the Z()IlLlJg1Cpde Enforcem~nt Officer position to
''PTanneY:-Thls'~'()Sition is''ah 'experienced planner who will be able to provide a
broaderarray of services to assist Jane with the present workload. When today's
workload subsides, this position can assist in the completion of projects we have
deferred simply because of insufficient staff resources to complete them.
FISCAL IMPACT: I anticipatethat}he.f,QQ,4,GQstSq,5sociated .with this personnel additi~!}...will not
~_)(ceed.$46;(joo. The.se f~nds will be provided through building and plaf-lniAg fees
we collectas a result of this new development.
ALTERNATIVES:
RECOMMENDED
MOTION:
(1) Authorize the addition of a full-time Building Inspector position effective
immediately to be paid through development-related fees.
(2) Take no action and direct the staff to provide additional information.
Alternative (1). A Resolution is attached for this purpose.
I :\COU NCI L \AGNRPTS\2002\BUI LD I NG I NSPE CTOR.DOC
RESOLUTION !J 2 v 7t
A RESOLUTION AUTHORIZING THE ADDITION OF ONE FULL-TIME
BUILDING INSPECTOR TO THE 2002 GENERAL FUND BUDGET
Motion By:
Second By:
WHEREAS, the City Manager has reported in a May 6, 2002 report a sharp increase In Building
Inspection and Planning activity; and
WHEREAS, without additional staff resources, City service levels will deteriorate; and
WHEREAS, the additional costs to fund the new position will be drawn from development-related fees.
NOW THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED BY THE CITY COUNCIL OF PRIOR LAKE, MINNESOTA
that:
1. The recitals set forth above are incorporated herein.
2. The City Manager is authorized to recruit and hire one additional full-time Building Inspector
position, the costs of which are to be drawn from development-related fees.
PASSED AND ADOPTED THIS 6th DAY OF MAY, 2002.
Haugen Haugen
Gundlach Gundlach
LeMair LeMair
Petersen I Petersen
Zieska Zieska
YES
NO
City Manager, City of Prior Lake
16200 Eagle Creek Ave. S.E., Prior Lake, Minnesota 55372-1714 / Ph. (952) 447-4230 / Fax (952) 447-4245
AN EQUAL OPPORTUNITY EMPLOYER