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<br />.A- <br /> <br />CITY COUNCIL WORK SESSION <br />Topic Report: Review Levels of Service for <br />Building Inspections/Permits <br />By: Mick Kaehler, Building Official and Heidi A. <br />Nelson, Deputy City Administrator/Director of <br />Community Development <br /> <br /> <br />Background: <br /> <br />In recent months, Council has discussed several issues regarding levels of service <br />and permits issued by the Building Division. Staff has prepared a summary of <br />information regarding each of these issues for Council review and discussion. <br /> <br />Local Electrical Inspections. Currently, the MN Department of Labor and <br />Industry conducts electrical inspections in the city of Ramsey. Council has <br />inquired about the opportunity for the city of Ramsey to contract with a licensed <br />electrical inspector directly, thereby retaining some of the permit revenue for the <br />City. Staff solicited information from the MN Department of Labor and Industry <br />with regard to the City's authority to create our own electrical inspection <br />program. The letter received from the state is attached for Council review <br />(attachment 1). In addition, staff prepared information regarding the potential <br />revenue that would be generated by an electrical inspection program as well as <br />what would be required of the building divIsion to support the program <br />(attachment 2). Staff is seeking policy direction with regard to establishing an <br />electrical inspection program for the city of Ramsey. <br /> <br />Sidin2. Roofin2. and Window Installation Permits. Currently, the city issues <br />permits for and conducts inspections of siding, roofing, and window installation <br />work in the city. Council has questioned whether there is value in requiring <br />permits and conducting inspections for this type of work. Data below represents <br />permits issued and revenue generated from each of these areas for 2008 and thus <br />far in 2009 (2-3 inspections are required for each permit). <br /> <br />Permit <br />Roofing <br />Siding <br />Windows/Doors <br />Total <br /> <br /># Issued <br />2,070 <br />1,130 <br />433 <br />3,633 <br /> <br />Revenue <br />$194,580 <br />$106,220 <br />$40,702 <br />$341,502 <br /> <br />It has been staff s experience that, although the city requires licensed contractors <br />to repair roofs, replace siding and install new windows, approximately 25-30% of <br />the inspections on these repairs fail because either the roof flashing was missed or <br />roof vents where not being installed, house wrap was not properly installed and <br />sealed around windows and doors, and many windows where simply being <br />