4.4. SR 04-19-1999
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ITEM #4.4.A-c
Memorandum
TO: MAYOR AND CITY COUNCIL
FROM: STEPHEN ROHLF, BUILDING AND
ZONING ADMINISTRATOR
DATE: APRIL 19, 1999 51(
SUBJECT: BUILDING AND ZONING
DEPARTMENT ISSUES
EXTENDED HOURS
The current hours for the Building and Zoning Department are the same as rest of City
Hall; from 8:00 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. The inspectors work overtime as needed doing
inspections and plan checks to accommodate contractors. In the summer months,
however, a lot of homeowners, who work out of town during the day, do their own
projects, such as decks. '
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To try to make the Department more accessible to those who can not get to City Hall
during normal working hours, Building and Zoning is proposing to have extended hours
one day a week. The Department is proposing to be open from 8:00 a.m. to 7:00 p.m. on
Monday nights starting in May and going until the end of August. The extended hours
will be reevaluated at the end of this time. Monday nights were selected because City
Hall is typically already open for Council meetings.
SEASONAL/TEMPORARY INSPECTOR
Another hectic construction season is anticipated in 1999. The demands on the Building
and Zoning Department are too great to keep up the current level of service. The total
valuation of construction in Elk River sets a new record each year. In just the past three
years it has risen from $40,000,000 in 1996 to $57,000,000 in 1998. Follow-up on
permits issued in 1996 is not even totally completed yet.
The Building and Zoninl;! Department is requesting an additional inspector from May 1 sl
until October 31 sl of this year. This position is considered seasonal/temporary and no
benefits will be provided. Staff anticipates filling this position for around $15 to
$20/hour depending on qualifications. A squad car from the Police Department will be
available for this position in May.
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The potential need for seasonal help was identified during the 1999 budget process.
Whether or not the city should add a full time inspector position will be reevaluated this
fall and presented in the 2000 budget.
13065 Orono Parkway · P.O. Box 490 · Elk River, MN 55330. TDD & Phone: (612) 441-7420 . Fax: (612) 441-7425
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CODE ENFORCEMENT INTERN
The Building: and Zoning: Department is requesting: an intern to work with code
enforcement (public nuisances. etc.) form May to October. Laurie Mezera-Kerr who is
currently dealing with these issues is now working part time (20 hours/week). Ms.
Mezera-Kerr will still screen the complaint calls, but the intern will do the actual
inspections. The Planning Department has also indicated that they would like to use this
position to review compliance with planning approvals. Both of the tasks listed above are
consuming more and more staff time.
The estimated salary for the intern is $8 to $1 O/hour, which is still a savings to the city
versus Ms. Mezera-Kerr working full time and dealing with these inspections. The need
for this intern was identified during the 1999 budget process.
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