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Amendment for Contract Inspection Services <br />October 21, 2014 <br />Page 2 <br />This continued growth from the building industry compounded by limited inspection staff has <br />resulted in building inspection turnaround times of over five -days. On large projects, this <br />substandard level of service results in increased costs to the developer as contractors are not <br />able to continue construction until an inspection has occurred. On small projects, this delay in <br />inspections often results in a property owner or contractor doing work illegally without permits. <br />Over the last year Development Projects submitted to the Planning Division for design review <br />has increased 33 percent. This increase is an indicator of continued future growth as <br />development projects start with the Planning Division before progressing into building plan check <br />and ultimately, permit issuance and construction. Additionally, the valuation of permits issued <br />has also increased over the last year by 15.6 percent. This increase in building valuation <br />indicates that the scope and scale of projects is also increasing as larger, and thus higher <br />valuation, projects are being developed. These indicators of continued growth further <br />underscore the need for adequate staffing levels to meet the needs of the development <br />community. <br />On September 15, 2014, the City Council approved an appropriation adjustment and resolution <br />authorizing the Building Safety Division to start recruitments for three Combination Building <br />Inspectors, one Senior Combination Building Inspector and one Permit Processor. While these <br />recruitments are currently underway, there is an immediate need for building inspection services. <br />The Planning and Building Agency has an existing contract with J Lee Engineering Inc. to <br />provide on -call plan check services for customers requesting to expedite their plan check. Staff <br />proposes to amend the scope of work for this contract to also include building inspection services <br />as well as plan check services. J Lee Engineering Inc„ is able to provide highly qualified <br />contract building inspectors who are fully versed in both commercial and residential construction <br />code requirements and will make and immediate impact in reducing building inspection <br />turnaround times. <br />Once full -time staff is hired and inspection turnaround times brought back to acceptable levels, <br />contract inspection services will be limited to overtime or special inspections requests, or during <br />times of high inspection activity to ensure that turnaround times do not revert to the current <br />unacceptable levels. <br />STRATEGIC PLAN ALIGNMENT <br />Approval of this item supports the City's effort to meet Goal No. 3 Economic Development, <br />Objective No. 3 (Promote a solutions -based customer focus in all efforts to facilitate development <br />and investment in the community), and Objective No. 5 (Leverage private investment that results <br />in tax base expansion and job creation citywide). <br />25EE -2 <br />