6. Staff Report-Building Inspection Services
Staff Report
Date of Meeting: December 3, 2014
To: City Council
From: Kristina Handt, City Administrator
Re: Building Inspection Services
Background:
In November 2011, the City of Scandia began contracting for building inspection service s from the
City of Forest Lake. A copy of the agreement is included in your packet.
One of the options the Forest Lake City Administrator offered when the Council requested the levy
be reduced by $1 million was to eliminate the fire inspector position. T hose duties would be shifted
to the Building Inspector and Building Official. Currently, the fire inspector also helps with building
inspections because of the increase in building activity in both cities over the last couple years. If the
fire inspector position is eliminated, Forest Lake would not have the resources to provide building
inspection services to Scandia and would have to end the agreement. At their November 24 th
meeting, the Forest Lake Council was split 2-2 with new Council member Weber abstaining, on
eliminating the position. Forest Lake is scheduled to hold a public hearing on Dec. 8th and adopt
their budget on Dec. 15th. At this time, a decision on the position or the contract with Scandia has not
been finalized.
Per the terms of the agreement, either party may terminate the agreement for any reason by giving a
60 day written notice.
Issue:
Discussion about future services
Proposal Details:
Staff has no specific proposal to consider at this time but would like the Council to begin thinking
about what direction we should take if the Forest Lake contract is canceled.