02-12-2025 Workshop Packet - Laserfiche WebLink

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General Community Development Staff Capacity The Community Development Department is managing a wide array of projects, including zoning code amendments, corridor planning, and an upcoming Comprehensive Planning process. These initiatives demand significant staff time and focus. Hiring a Permit Technician would allow for more effective administrative support, enabling leadership to prioritize strategic planning efforts without compromising day-to-day operations. PERMIT TECHNICIAN AND CUSTOMER SERVICE JOB DESCRIPTIONS The Permit Technician position will be taking on duties and responsibilities that currently fall on the Customer Service Specialist. This rearrangement will allow the Customer Service Specialist to be more active in general customer service, triaging resident/customer inquiries, and assisting the City Clerk with administrative matters and city licensing. Permit Technician Customer Service Specialist Manages and maintains permitting software and processes Manages park shelter reservation programs and other registration software Primary point of contact for all permit applications and inspection requests False alarm charges Answers routine or standard questions about permitting and zoning within Little Canada and the State of Minnesota Daily processing of mail and management of postage machine Assists with public notices/mailings and Planning Commission agenda packet creation Assist Clerk with overflow duties, needs, and procedures Helps facilitate meetings between Building Staff and customers Maintains appearance of City Hall front counter and vestibule Schedules inspections and works with inspectors to manage rental housing licensing program Responsible for Main City Line Documents code-enforcement complaints and aids staff in ensuring speedy follow-up and follow-through Assists Clerk with all licensing processes and management Permit and planning file management Overarching file management There is proposed to be overlap in the two positions as both staff members will provide coverage on the main city phone line, assist walk-up residents/customers, and handle other routine matters of office management and service. FINANCIAL IMPACT The City Council has already included $38,850 in the 2025 budget for front desk administrative changes. By utilizing this budget allocation towards the hiring of a Building Permit Technician, the remaining 2025 budget impact is estimated at approximately $20,000. The cost for this budgetary impact should be borne by a combination of building permit fees and fees from our shared services contract with the City of Falcon Heights. City staff is also exploring the possibility of expanding the shared services agreement with St. Anthony Village to further defray these costs. RECOMMENDATION To consider the proposed addition of a full-time building permit technician to assist with the front-end operations at City Hall and to ensure consistency within the Community Development Department.