Agenda - Council Work Session - 04/12/2016

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Building Inspections 3 Rating given related to radon mitigation. As of 2015 I was the very first mitigation in the city to be required to have a permit after the Feb. 14th / 15th date. In this new experience with permits required a 10 day review.... in my opinion, it was too long of a time period for a system that is limited in the types of designs used. Often, the timeline for a system to be installed is within a real estate transaction. Radon contractors are called on to install a system as a result of a high radon test done by the buyer as part of a home inspection. The seller is often required to fix the house prior to closing which sometimes is within a few weeks. In non -real estate situations, home owners test on there own and contact us if result are high. If a certified radon contractor is in good standing with the city of Ramsey and has paid up for the current year for the contractors license... then I'm not sure why there needs to be a long review period. It would be helpful and appreciated to be able to stop out at the city office and pay for the work permit and receive approval the same day as the scheduled install date. This may not be appropriate for other types of contracted work... but within the radon mitigation field, the system options to solve for radon are limited to 3 basic type... Sub slab active soil depressurization, drain tile & sub membrane systems. Office staff very helpful! 5 It's been a long time and I really don't remember. 4/5/2016 8:33 AM 6 The timing for permits and staff response time was great 7 4/5/2016 6:40 AM 4/4/2016 1:24 PM 4/4/2016 10:00 AM Any time that I have talked to Katy or Ellen they have said that it would be 3 weeks and that is roughly what it ends up being. 3 weeks seems like a long time. 8 The office has always helped and are very friendly. 9 4/1/2016 3:16 PM 4/1/2016 12:16 PM For me the problem wasn't that it took too long to get the permit, the problem was that I was given 6 sheets of paper to fill out. All 6 sheets asked for the same information and when I turned them in, the permit technician set all 6 sheets on a stand next to her computer and she typed in some information into the computer, and them handed all 6 sheets back to me. That was a complete waste of time and effort. 10 The process took way too long in review and delayed the project. 3/31/2016 5:37 AM 3/30/2016 6:23 PM 11 Although I do believe 3 weeks is too long 12 Katy Hauan was extremely helpful as an "out of town" contractor applying for the first time in your city. 13 the first building permit application took quite awhile to be issued, the next couple were approved in a more timely manner 14 Did not pull permit. 15 3/30/2016 4:12 PM 3/30/2016 1:09 PM 3/30/2016 12:46 PM 3/30/2016 10:24 AM I do plumbing permits, and its usually paid for on the building permit, which is great for us!!! I always have a great relationship with the people working the building desk. Have never had any problems picking up a meter when needed also!! 16 3/30/2016 10:24 AM I inspect and design septic systems only and do not obtain building permits. (? # 3) However, I am a licensed building official and am very satisfied with record retention and ease of getting address information. 17 I have always had a very good experience with pulling and closing permits in Ramsey 18 Sometimes the process would take 2 or 3 weeks. Andover turns them over in days. 19 3/30/2016 10:06 AM 3/30/2016 9:38 AM 3/30/2016 9:03 AM It would be better if it could all be done online, like Coon Rapids, then at then end you can print off the permit rather than waiting for it to be emailed or mailed. Also, when we are applying for a Mechanical permit, why do we get "punished" trying to do work for the Homeowner if they haven't done their septic cleaning, etc. & our permit hinges on that being taken care of 1st. It has nothing to do with that. 3/30/2016 9:00 AM 20 Average turn -around time has been 7.4 days.....would like to see this reduced to 5 or less if possible. 3/30/2016 8:57 AM 21 Sometimes it feels like the review process takes longer than it should. That being said, staff has been good about setting expectations so I can plan for the wait. 3/29/2016 10:29 PM 22 I believe 10 work days ( two weeks) is two long. 3/29/2016 4:22 PM 5/19