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MINUTES <br />City Council <br />June 7, 1994 <br />Scalze indicated that North St. Paul does not have as much <br />building going on as Little Canada. The Administrator <br />stated that we are more active than North St. Paul and <br />Falcon Heights. He stated that he has the building activity <br />from the surrounding communities for the past few years <br />summarized and has found that Little Canada falls in the <br />middle. <br />Scalze felt that if we shared an inspector with two cities, <br />we would at least need that person half-time. The <br />Administrator stated that he has had a hard time judging how <br />much we would need an inspector. The cities he has talked <br />with that have $15,000,000 to $20,000,000 of building going <br />on have needed one full-time inspector and this would depend <br />on what that inspector's job duties were. In Maplewood, <br />they are contracting with a heating inspector and paying <br />that person 80% of the permit fees. <br />The Administrator indicated that we may be able to contract <br />with Maplewood or Roseville for inspections. Both of those <br />cities are interested and there would be stability with <br />those in case a staff inember would leave. However, the cost <br />could be higher. He stated that Roseville is very <br />interested. The Administrator indicated that we would also <br />gain their expertise and thoroughness. A long-term contract <br />may be necessary to protect both parties. <br />Pedersen asked about the possibility of hiring an <br />independent firm to do the inspections on a per inspection <br />basis. The Administrator indicated that he believes that <br />would be a good idea and he has explored that possibility. <br />However, surprisingly there are not many firms to be found. <br />Gunnar Pettersen of Metropolitan Inspections may be retiring <br />soon and Jim Manteufel~s firm is too busy for added work. <br />Pedersen felt that there must be someone available to do <br />inspections on a per inspection basis. Pedersen suggested <br />contactinq one of the local schools to get an interested <br />student who recently finished building inspection training <br />to make the inspections. The Administrator felt that the <br />City must be careful with who is chosen since the individual <br />must be a good, qualified inspector. <br />Morelan asked what percent of the building permits issued <br />are applied for by contractors verses homeowners. The <br />Administrator estimated that approximately 80% are applied <br />for by contractors. <br />Morelan felt that in the future when more residents will be <br />applying for remodelinq permits, an inspector will be needed <br />with people skills since that individual will be working <br />with residents verses contractors. Scalze indicated that <br />-4- <br />