HomeMy WebLinkAboutStaff Report 11/07/2011 3.F Iteiniv #3.
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DATE: November 7, 2011
TO: Honorable Mayor and Members of the City Council
FROM: John C. Brown, City Manager-<`
SUBJECT: Resolution Authorizing the Position Allocation of Chief Building Official in the
Community Development Department.
RECOMMENDATION
It is recommended that the City Council adopt the attached Resolution Authorizing the Position
Allocation of Chief Building °Official in the. Community Development Department.
BACKGROUND
A variety of State codes, and. the City's Municipal Code, reference the position of Building
Official. Pursuant to the California Health and Safety Codes at chapter 18949.27, the Building
Official is defined as "the individual invested with the responsibility for overseeing local code
enforcement activities, including administration of the building department, interpretation of
code requirements, and direction of the code adoption process".
The regular position of Chief Building Official existed in Petaluma until 2008. A copy of the
Position Classification is attached. Due to revenue, shortfalls and the lack of work or funds at that
time, the Community Development Department was reorganized and the position of Chief
Building Official was abolished along with eleven other Community Development Department
positions effective September 15, 2008 by Resolution 2008 -184. Between October 1, 2008 and
May 2009, the duties of the Chief Building Official were technically the responsibility of the
Community Development Director. Guidance for decisions regarding application of Building
Codes, however, was provided by the Senior Building Inspector who remained following the
other position abolishments. Since June 1, 2009 the duties, of the Chief Building Official (the
acting Building Official) have been performed by that Senior Building Inspector.
DISCUSSION
As indicated, since June 2009 Building Official responsibilities have been performed, on an
acting basis, by the Senior Building Official. This has been done in consultation, when
necessary, with the City Manager who is now acting as the department director responsible for
the functions formerly encompassed by the Community Development Department. The acting
Building Official has performed as a Division head, has conducte&all of the activities discussed
Agenda Review
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in Health and Safety Code Section and those delineated in the classification specification for
Chief Building Official, and has performed beyond expectations in managing these
responsibilities for nearly the past two and a half years. In that time, the Building division's
financial position has improved significantly. In FY2008 -09, Building expenditures exceeded
revenues by $64,000. In 2010, Building revenues exceeded expenditures by $216,154, with total
revenues of $999,931. In the past two and one half years the Division's work has rebounded
such that an additional Building Inspector position was reallocated by the City Council in March
2011. Currently the acting Building Official manages the activities of one Permit Technician,
two full -time Building Inspectors, and contract plan checker, and will coordinate with the
Neighborhood Preservation Coordinator related to the 45 percent of that latter positions time that
is charged to the Building division in 2011 -12.
As there is no expectation that the acting Building Official's duties will curtail, or that those
duties will be performed by others, and because the acting Building Official is performing well
in those duties, it is recommended that the City Council re- authorize the position allocation of
Chief Building Official so that a regular` appointment can be made. Revenue and expense
estimates for 2011 -2012 indicate sufficient capacity to continue the current staffing level and
will support this proposal as well.
FINANCIAL IMPACTS
The acting Building Official currently receives a five - percent acting out of grade pay and is
receiving an hourly rate of $45.98; Placement at the fourth step of the salary ladder is
contemplated, which is to compensate the employee at a level commensurate with his experience
in the position, which is at a rate of $49.05 per hour. This represents an annual cost increase of
approximately $7,500. Funding for this increase is available in, and will be provided by, the
Building Fund.
ATTACHMENTS
1. Resolution
2. Classification Description
ATTACHMENT 1
Resolution No. 2011- N.C.S.
Of the City of Petaluma, California
AUTHORIZING THE POSITION ALLOCATION
OF CHIEF BUILDING OFFICIAL IN THE
COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT DEPARTMENT
WHEREAS, State Codes and the Petaluma Municipal Code dictate that certain
mandatory duties shall be conducted by the Building Official; and
WHEREAS, until October 2008 those duties were performed by the position of
Chief Building Official; and
WHEREAS, due to revenue shortfalls the position of Chief Building Official was
abolished in Resolution 2008 -184; and
WHEREAS, since June 1, 2009 the duties of the Chief Building Official have
been performed by a Senior Building Inspector acting in an out -of -pay grade capacity;
and
WHEREAS, the services performed by the acting Building Official will continue
to be required in the future, and
WHEREAS the revenue position of the Building Services Enterprise Fund has
improved, and can support the cost of a permanent Chief Building Official position; and
WHEREAS it is desirable for the City Council to re- authorize the allocation of
Chief Building Official.
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED that the City Council does hereby authorize
the position allocation of Chief Building Official in the Community Development Department
effective November 14, 2011.
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W CITY OF PETALUMA
' CLASS SPECIFICATION
Date: 06/30/06
/85 , Job Class: 09CHBO
Chief Building Official
Summary
Plan, schedule and coordinate the activities and projects of the City's building inspection division,
provide expert professional assistance to City departments in areas of responsibility.
Class Characteristics
General direction is provided by the Community Development Director; responsibilities include the
direct and indirect supervision of lower level professional, technical, and clerical personnel.
This class has division ,level responsibility for administration and direction of the City building
inspection, building code enforcement, plan checking and permit application processing functions.
The incumbent is responsible for assisting in the formulation of policy, developing goals and
objectives, supervising staff, administering the division's budget and directing day -to -day
operations. This class is distinguished from the Community Development Director in that the latter
has overall management responsibility for the Community Development Department including
Planning and Building Inspection divisions.
Essential Duties, Skills, and Demands of the Position
The duties, skills, and demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an
employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations
may be made to enable individuals with a disability to perform the essential duties, skills, and
demands.
Duties:
Plan, organize, assign, review, direct, and evaluate the work of assigned staff; plan for and provide
staff training and professional development; make recommendations for appointments, promotions,
and disciplinary actions; set work priorities, coordinate and schedule assignments, and establish
goals and objectives.
Assist in the preparation and administration of the division's budget.
Advise the Community Development Director and City Manager on aspects of building and related
code interpretations.
Direct and administer activities and programs for compliance with federal, state, and municipal
codes and regulations governing building construction, rehabilitation, alteration, use, and
occupancy.
Supervise the issuance of building permits and the collection of fees.
Recommend new or revised regulations to achieve uniformity of code applications. Analyze,
review, and prepare code amendments or clearances. Furnish updated interpretations of codes and
regulations to other City staff. Assist in the preparation of City ordinances.
Administer and enforce the City's building inspection compliance programs. Investigate or direct
the investigation of complaints and hazardous conditions.
Perform plan check review for residential and non - residential buildings; review structural and site
plans. Keep informed of current regulations, changes in code and legislation, new building materials
and construction methods.
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Chief Building Official
Provide technical assistance to City staff, developers, committees, commissions or boards, and the
public,- either directly or through professional staff.
Work closely with City staff to solve a broad range of service, delivery, community, and
administrative problems.
Act as staff liaison for the Building Board of Appeals.
Direct the preparation of and prepare a variety of written materials, including staff reports,
memoranda, correspondence and similar documents. Select and oversee the work of consultants.
Perform related duties as assigned
Skills /Abilities:
Plan, organize, assign, review, and evaluate the work of professional and administrative support
staff.
Train staff in work procedures and provide for his /her professional development.
Prepare, administer, and monitor a division budget.
Make persuasive oral presentations of ideas and recommendations.
Interpret and apply complex rules, regulations, laws and ordinances.
Provide technical assistance to boards and commissions, developers, City staff and the public.
Prepare detailed written material, including staff and administrative reports, analyses of code
enforcement policies, proposed code amendments and changes to established programs and policies.
Communicate effectively both verbally and in writing.
Establish and maintain effective working relationships with those contacted in the course of the
work.
Physical Demands and Work Environment:
While performing the duties of this job, the employee will be frequently required to sit and talk and
hear. The employee will be required to stand, walk, and use hands to finger, handle, or feel objects,
tools, or controls. The employee frequently is required to sit, enter data into a terminal, personal
computer or keyboard device; operate office equipment requiring repetitive arm /hand movement.
The employee will occasionally lift and /or move up to 25 pounds. Specific vision abitities required
by this job include close vision, distance vision, color vision, peripheral vision, depth perception,
and the ability to adjust focus. The employee is occasionally exposed to outside weather conditions.
The noise level in the work environment is usually moderate.
Qualifications
Knowledge of
Administration principles and methods, including goals, objectives and program development,
work organization and delegation, and employee supervision.
Federal, state, and local codes and regulations governing housing and building construction,
rehabilitation, alteration, use, and occupancy.
Principles and practices of budget preparation and administration.
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Chief Building Official
Problems, trends and approaches used in municipal code inspection and enforcement programs.
Local government organization and service delivery, especially as related to building inspection
and code enforcement.
Building practices and materials in the structural, plumbing, mechanical and electrical construction
fields.
Education and Experience:
Any combination equivalent to the education and experience likely to provide the required
knowledge and abilities would be qualifying. A typical way to gain such knowledge and abilities
would be:
Education:
An Associate's degree with major work in pre- engineering, construction technology or a related
field.
Experience:
Two years of lead or supervisory experience in building and related inspections, plan checking or
code enforcement. Additional technical level experience in building inspection and building code
enforcement may be substituted for the experience on a year- for -year basis.
Certificates /Licenses:
Possession of a valid California Class C driver's license.
Applicable I.C.B.O. certifications are required.
Established: 03/90
Resolution #:
Revised: 06/30/06
Department: Community Development
FLSA Status: Exempt
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