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In 2023, the department saw an increase in the number of both residential and commercial plan <br />reviews performed. 900 in-house residential plan reviews were completed. Although the <br />department has 30 days, per state law, to turn around plan reviews, the City turns them around in <br />15 days. The department uses an outside contractor to perform 75% of itscommercial plan <br />reviews. This works out to be cost efficient, as the City pays $43,000 for a master plans <br />examiner. The cost of hiring a master plans examiner would be much higher. <br />Commissioner Parmelee highlighted and elaborated upon the department’s key 2023 <br />accomplishments including: <br /> Completed the city’s first commercial property survey to rate the exterior condition of <br />commercial properties. <br /> Implemented new regulations on large structures <br /> Revised ordinances to require inspections before issuance of a rental license <br /> Catalogued the existing commercial businesses <br /> <br />Commissioner Parmelee highlighted and elaborated upon the department’s 2024 goals including: <br /> Performing the residential property survey (Housing Forward) in October <br /> Working with Law Department to consolidate all Building Department fees into one <br />ordinance. <br /> Digitally archive large format documents <br /> Continue to work with trade schools to promote the industry. <br /> <br />Commissioner Parmelee discussed the department’s staffing structure, which includes 16 full- <br />time and one part-time staff person. <br /> <br />In response to a question, Commissioner Parmelee elaborated upon the Housing Forward <br />property survey in which the exterior conditions of 12,000 residential structures are evaluated. <br />Properties are ranked on a scale of 1-4 and coded on a GIS map. This helps the City determine its <br />focus areas. It will send out correction notices to the properties in the poorest conditions. The <br />survey was first performed in 2012 and has been done every three years. <br /> <br />Councilmember Bullock asked how the department will follow up with the large properties that <br />have not yet submitted the required engineering reports to the city. Commissioner Parmelee <br />replied that correction notices will be sent out at the end of the month. After that, meeting with <br />the City prosecutor is the next step. <br /> <br />Councilmember Bullock applauded the department’s focus on commercial property in 2023 and <br />asked for further discussion of the commercial property survey in committee. He also asked <br />Commissioner Parmelee about possible solutions to address unlicensed rental properties. <br /> <br />Commissioner Parmelee acknowledged that with 43% of residents reporting to be renters, there <br />should be more housing licenses. He stated unlicensed properties are added to the roster as they <br />are discovered. <br /> <br />5 <br /> <br /> <br />