HomeMy WebLinkAbout05.10.2004• •
COUNCIL WORK SESSION
May 10, 2004
4:45 p.m.
Council Chambers
Members present: Mayor Hurley, Kincaid, Cole, Greenwood, Schmitt, Gunderson, Welper.
Members absent: Clark.
Moved by Welper, seconded by Kincaid that the Agenda, as proposed, be approved. Ayes: Six.
Absent: Clark. Motion carried.
Lou Cutwright, Building Official/Maintenance Administrator, reviewed the proposed
Comprehensive Inspection and Building Department. The seventeen member staff will be
divided into three divisions: Plan Review and Permit Writing, which will cover all processes
related to plan review, permit writing and related record keeping; Inspections/New Construction,
Remodeling, Repair; and Code Enforcement/Rental Inspection. Some individuals are concerned
that the city will apply the new standards or renovation standards to existing building rental
inspections. This is not the case as the International Property Maintenance Code will be the
guideline for rental inspections and code enforcement.
Mr. Cutwright reviewed expenditure and revenue line items for the proposed department. Total
revenues is estimated at $1,424,505 and total expenditures is $1,146,325. Total expenditures
includes $959,538 for personnel for a staff of 17 and contractual commodities in the amount of
$186,787. Mr. Cutwright is requesting an additional $90,000 support from Solid Waste the first
year, with the additional support to drop to about $30,000 the following year. The following
four additional positions will be required for the proposed department: Chief Housing/Code
Enforcement Inspector, two Housing Inspector/Code Enforcement Inspectors and a rental
housing Clerk/Receptionist.
The city could be divided into sections. Two Code Enforcement Officers could be assigned to
specific areas if needed. Mr. Cutwright stated the International Property Maintenance Code will
help to increase the value of residential property throughout the city, which could increase the
property taxes when there is an increase in property values. Mr. Cutwright stated that he feels
the council would have to adopt both the International Property Maintenance Code and the
proposed Comprehensive Inspection and Building Department in order to make this work. Mr.
Cutwright stated the International Property Maintenance Code is an excellent documents, and the
proposed Comprehensive Inspection and Building Department is the platform to get it done.
Councilperson Welper noted that if Code Enforcement receives the revenue from rental
inspections, the Fire Department's revenue will decrease. Fire Chief Ned DeBerg responded that
the Fire Department will put all its resources on commercial inspections, which should help the
revenue. Commercial inspections are every year and rental inspections are on a five-year
rotation. Mr. Cutwright stated that rental housing inspection fees will generate approximately
$59,000 if they make 2,600 rental inspections per year.
Councilperson Gunderson questioned if the new code will generate additional workload for the
part-time Assistant City Attorney. Mr. Cutwright responded there is about 93 percent to 95
percent compliance right now, but this could increase the workload for the City Attorney's
office.
Councilperson Kincaid noted that Mr. Cutwright is asking for $90,000 support from Solid Waste
and asked if that amount is behind his request to use some of those funds for the neighborhood
cleanups. Mr. Cutwright responded that the funds will come from the Waste Management
Services budget, not the grant from the Black Hawk Solid Waste Commission.
Mayor Hurley stated that in the strategic long-term of cleaning up the city and increasing
property value, it will take courage from him, council members and staff. Mayor Hurley stated
the Chief Financial Officer has expressed some concerns, and that another work session needs to
be scheduled to address additional questions. Mayor Hurley stated that in FY06, an additional
$1.5 million will be added to the budget. Mayor Hurley stated he supports this change, even if it
just gets it all under one department.
Council Work Session
May 10, 2004
Page 2
With no further business before the council, it was moved by Welper, seconded by Cole that the
meeting be adjourned at 5:25 p.m. Ayes: Six. Absent: Clark. Motion carried.
Nancy Eckert
City Clerk
• •