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<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 />screwed into openings and not caulked. Staff does feel there is value in requiring <br />permits and conducting inspections for roofing, siding, and window installation <br />work. Staff is seeking voUcv direction with regard to the requirement for permits <br />for roofing. siding. and window installation work. <br /> <br />Rental Licensin2 Pro2ram. In 2003 the city initiated a rental licensing <br />program which required every residential rental unit to be licensed by the city. <br />Part of the rental process included a building inspection to ensure the condition of <br />the rental space met city standards as defined in the city code. The license fee is <br />$75 for two years. To provide an analysis of revenue generated and staff time <br />spent on this area, the time period of January 1,2008 through July 31,2009. For <br />this period, the city has issued 115 new rental licenses and has conducted 388 <br />inspections on these rental properties. Of the 115 licenses issued, 48 were for <br />single family homes. <br /> <br />Summarizing staff time: <br /> <br />115 license at 45 minutes per= <br />388 inspections at 30 minutes per= <br /> <br />86.25 hrs <br />194 hrs <br /> <br />Rental License fees collected 115 X $75 per= <br /> <br />$8625.00 <br /> <br />Council has inquired about the value of requiring rental licensing for single family <br />homes. Staff is seeking volicv direction regarding the rental licensing vrogram. <br /> <br />Contract Buildin2 Inspections. As a part of the 2010 Budget, Council has <br />discussed contracting for building inspection services. Staff has solicited <br />proposals from two metro area firms that provide these services to various <br />municipalities in Minnesota, the proposals are attached for Council review. <br />Contracting for building inspection services would allow the city to manage from <br />day to day the number of hours that are needed for building inspections thereby <br />reducing the costs of providing this service to residents and contractors. Staff is <br />recommending that two staff be retained in the Building Division - the Building <br />Official and the Building Permit Technician. Staff feels it is critical to have an in- <br />house Building Official to perform the duties of managing the inspection contract, <br />performing plan review, managing the septic system program (ISTS), and being <br />available to residents and contractors in responding to questions and resolving <br />conflicts. The Permit Technician position manages the Permit and Inspections <br />Management System (PIMS) software that tracks all permits and building <br />projects, processes and issues permits, schedules inspections, and produces <br />reports regarding building activity; staff feels it is critical for this position to <br />remain in-house. <br />