10-24-2016 Council Packet - Laserfiche WebLink

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CITY COUNCIL SPECIAL WORK SESSION October 3, 2016 DRAFT 3 Mayor Reinert suggested that there is a route to get this done. Mr. Grochala said the 90 council can direct that it be allowed (as their interpretation of the law). He explained how 91 staff has applied the regulations in the past, to hold responsible the person who comes in 92 and takes out the permit who must be the property owner. In this case the owner isn’t 93 living on the property. Mayor Reinert said he likes to see a culture in this city of helping 94 businesses and residents. 95 96 Council Member Manthey confirmed that a project is typically inspected four times and 97 asked if those inspections actually provide enough insight to know if the process is being 98 followed well enough. The goal is of course to get this done correctly and safely. He has 99 done projects like this and the inspection element is very important. 100 101 Mr. Kolstad said he understands that a homeowner issued permit is scrutinized much 102 more than a contractor permitted project. 103 104 Representative Runbeck noted that this apparently isn’t a common circumstance which 105 we’ve heard from staff. But it does seem to call for some latitude on the part of the city 106 especially because a skilled person is working on the project. 107 108 Mayor Reinert remarked that there are many properties with septic systems within the city 109 so perhaps a review of the process is warranted to see if the city is fair in the issuance of 110 permits. Going forward, he suggested that everything should be in writing. He 111 confirmed with staff that they will provide a written correction notice in this situation. 112 The mayor clarified that all instructions should be in writing. 113 114 Council Member Kusterman suggested that the law is clear and city staff is just 115 interpreting the law that is out there and if the council wants it to be different, the council 116 must give staff that direction. 117 118 The mayor remarked that there is a person at the meeting who makes state law and she 119 interprets it to allow Mr. Kolstad to do this that should mean something. Ms. Runbeck 120 added that inspectors don’t need to make your life hell but they do take the law very 121 seriously. It’s important to have this clear though when the property will actually be 122 turning over soon. 123 124 Council Member Manthey suggested that the discussion wouldn’t be occurring if there 125 wasn’t something done wrong. He sees that family members should be allowed to help 126 but also that the city inspector needs definition to do his job. 127 128 Mr. Kolstad said that he could easily add his name to the deed for the property with a quit 129 claim deed, however, he thinks the principle of the city’s involvement here is important. 130 He pledges that the work will be done right and it will save money to his father. 131 132 The council discussed the term “individual” as it applied in the regulations. 133 134