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MEMORANDUM <br /> Memo To :Mayor and Council Members <br /> From :Ric Minetor, City Engineer/Director of Public Works <br /> Date :March 26, 1991 <br /> Subject :Discussion of Building Inspector Position <br /> The short term resolution of the vacancy in this position is <br /> utilizing the Planning Technician to provide housing inspection <br /> services and provide building inspection services through the <br /> City of Blaine by reimbursement of their costs. The agreement <br /> with Blaine includes their inspector using a City of Mounds View <br /> vehicle while making inspections in Mounds View and utilizing our <br /> office space for plan review. Mounds View will reimburse Blaine <br /> on a percentage of fee for plan reviews and on an hourly basis <br /> for field inspection. This arrangement should be in effect <br /> through April; a long term solution is being reviewed. <br /> The long term solution of providing building inspection services <br /> is open to a number of different possibilities. The most obvious <br /> is to hire a full-time building inspector. Services would be <br /> provided as in the past. However, the possibility of review of <br /> the position and of utilizing a different approach as a cost <br /> effective alternative is appealing. The various options include a <br /> part-time inspector, contracted services, reorganization of the <br /> duties in the department, and sharing a position with another <br /> city. <br /> Jim Tobias had indicated that the workload for building <br /> inspection was significantly lighter than in past years . <br /> Residential construction is significantly less and commercial <br /> construction is lagging as well. The city has reached a level of <br /> 'bui-ld-o-ut' a+- suggests a low level in residential construction <br /> for the foreseeable future. Commercial construction levels are <br /> tied to the current Business Park and adjacent sites. Once these <br /> are built out there will be a lessened workload in this area. <br /> Housing inspections are theone area of stable or slight growth. <br /> These inspections do not require a certified building inspector <br /> and can be performed by the planning technician. Planning <br /> activities are related to construction activity and there is a <br /> downturn in certain planning activities due to reduced <br /> residential and commercial development. Utilizing the planning <br /> technician for housing inspection offers an ideal solution to <br /> both workload areas. Actual building inspection is not addressed <br /> in this scenario. <br /> Building inspection and plan review services need to be provided <br />