4.10. SR 09-28-1998:y of
ITEM I 4.10.
MEMORANDUM
TO:
CITY COUNCIL
FROM:
STEPHEN ROHLF, BUILDING AND
ZONING ADMINISTRATOR
DATE:
SEPTEMBER 21, 1998
SUBJECT: B & Z VEHICLE
In response to the Council's questions regarding whether or not the new vehicle for the
Building and Zoning Department should be four wheel drive, staff offers the following:
Many inspections take place on unimproved roads where, at times, passage with a two
wheel drive vehicle is impossible. Model home construction starts as soon as the plat
is recorded, long before road construction even begins. Many inspections in rural
areas are at the end of long driveways, which are typically the last things to be
completed.
· Inspections must be done no matter what the weather. A two wheel drive pick-up on
icy roads is dangerous.
· The building inspectors and their vehicles are an integral part of the city's emergency
preparedness plan. Depending on the emergency, four wheel drive can be critical.
Four wheel drive pick-ups hold their resale value better than two wheel drive pick-
ups.
I look forward to discussing this issue with the Council further at Monday night's
meeting.
13065 Orono Parkway · P.O. Box 490 · Elk River, MN 55330 · TDD & Phone: (612) 441-7420 · Fax: (612) 441-7425