2005.07.05 CC Minutes - Laserfiche WebLink

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City Council meeting of July 5, 2005 Page 7 Puleo made motion, Granger seconded, directing City staff to be present at the July 8h meeting, as well as City Council members Mike Granger and/or Frank Puleo. All aye. Motion Carried. DISCUSSION ON SECRETARY POSITION FOR BUILDING DEPARTMENT For the past several months, Building Official John Benson, CD Director Bryan Bear, and City Administrator Mike Ericson have closely monitored the volume of customer service work with building department receptionist Eileen Ottney and utility billing clerk Jodie Guareschi. As Council is aware, there has been a marked increase in processing permit applications. In fact, the City will break its own monthly record with more than 100 building permits issued in June 2005. This increase has a direct impact on the utility billing department in regard to the set up of new utility billing accounts. Staff has determined that another building department secretary is necessary to maintain satisfactory customer service levels due to the demands of the utility billing department. City staff sought authorization from Council to advertise for the new secretary in the building department, with preparations to provide for the reassignment of the utility billing clerk to another location in City Hall. Council discussed funding for the new position and suggested that staff use a temporary agency until the 2006 budget process begins. Haas made motion, Petryk seconded, directing staff to hire a temp employee as needed to fill the need in the building department until such time as Council can review the need for a permanent position. All aye. Motion Carried. DISCUSSION ON SUBCONTRACTOR FOR ELECTRICAL INSPECTION SERVICES Building Official John Benson, CD Director Bryan Bear, and City Administrator Mike Ericson met recently with the City's electrical inspector Dave Kichler. As Council is aware, electrical inspections are provided through the State of Minnesota's Department of Labor, through a subcontract arrangement with Mr. Kichler. Staff explored a means of providing electrical inspection services for the large volume of builders in the community, and has now identified an opportunity for the City to contract directly with Mr. Kichler. This streamlined service would allow the City to provide for "one stop shopping" for electrical inspections services, as well as the myriad of additional building inspection services. Additionally, it would be an opportunity to raise additional revenue, since the City would be contracting directly with Mr. Kichler and not through the state. City staff sought direction from Council as to its interest in adoption of an ordinance that would allow the City to provide for electrical inspection services through the City and its electrical inspector subcontractor Dave Kichler. Council member Granger suggested that because this would be a policy change that these services should go out for bid. Miron made motion, Granger seconded, to table this matter to allow staff to further review this matter and report back to Council. All aye. Motion Carried.