Accomplishments Report - 2000
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To: Dennis Kissinger, City Manager
From: Michael Morgan, Deputy City Manager /
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Date: February 6, 2001
Building Services
The year 2000 was a year of transition for the permits and inspection function. In June,
the Department of Building Services. was officially created with the transfer of staff and
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related responsibilities from the Department of Planning and Community;Development.
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This change has allowed staff to f()cus its work more directly on the criticaL areas of plan
review" building permits, interpretation arid administration of building codes, as well as
inspection functions. Also, the new structure has resulted inimproveq customer service
and problem solving.
2000 Accomplishments
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Total department expenditures for, 2000 were $28{S23, 86% of the budgeted amount of
$332,080.
The renovation of the space occupied by the Engineering, Utilities, Plan~ing & Community .,
Development and Building Services departments was completed within budget and on
schedule. The renovation has improved staff efficiency, internal communication and
customer service.
Adoption of Contr~ctorlTradesman Registration requirements providing consumer protection
and an effective method for communicating with contractors.
Evaluated holiday schedule and r~mained open during three city holidays resulting ,in
, improved customer service.
Evaluated ,customer payment options and revised procedures to accept payment in. Building
Services eliminating extra, steps for customers.
Building Services will assume responsibility for driveway and sidewalk permits processing
,eliminating extra step for customers.
Development of Department Newsletter - First quarterly Newsletter was distributed in July to
900 customers.
'Improved relationship with Salina Home Builders, Local Architects, Contractors Association,
Board of Realtors and Plumping & Mechanical Contractors Association by atten'ding board
meetings on a regular basis.
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Expanded city web site fo; placem~nt of department information, handouts and forms.
Development of a' Policy and.Procedures Manual for the department. Format is complete
with items being reviewed and included as necessary.
Develop notice and tracking'syste,rri for failure to get pe'rmits and applicable fees.
Technology improvements include: personal computers provided for each employee and
training held; use of e-mail via pagi~g system to noti~ inspectors of messages and to
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schedule inspections; and evaluation and selection of permit information system which will
improve the efficiency of processing permits.
· Quarterly meetings held with City/Chamber Building/Code Improvement Task Force with
follow-up regarding task force recommendations. .
· Building Code Appeals and Advisory Board - Completed survey, revised board guidelines and.
developed action plan to improve the function of the Board.
2001 Goals
· Implementation of Technology PIC:m including Permit Tracking Software.
· Revision of Chapter 8 of the Salina City Code - licensing and registration requirements.
· Adoption of 1997 Uniform Building and related codes.
· Cross-training for each function. i
· Backup at each staff position.
· Maintain overall expenditures within departmental budget.
· Conversion of Address Files - 26,000 files.
· Evaluate possible inspecting of fences, roofs and signs.
· Completion and staff review of Department Policy Manual.
Overall, 2000 was a very exciting and successful year for the department and
development function. The response to our efforts has been very positive. We feel the
structure and methods we have developed will serve us well as we continue our mission
to provide. quality and consistent staff assistance in the building/development area.
Finally, the progress made would not be possible, without the efforts of department staff
who have positively responded to changes and who have fully cooperated throughout
the process.
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DEPUTY CITY MANAGERlDEVELOPMENT SERVICES . MICHAEL W. MORGAN
City-County Building . 300 West Ash Street - Room 201 . P.O. Box 736
. Salina, Kansas 67402-0736
TELEPHONE (785) 826-7270 . FAX (785) 826-7224 . TDD (785) 826-7333 . E-MAIL mike.morgan@salina.org
TO:
FROM:
DATE:
RE:
Dennis Kissinger, City Manager. .
. Michael W. Morgan, Deputy City Ma~ager./
February 6, 2001
Development Review Team Annual Report
In April, 2000 the. Development Review Team (DT) was established. This cross-functional team
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. was designed to improve the quality of.development review, improve internal communication,
coordination and cqnsistency. The DR! has maximized the efficiency of city staff and routinely
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identified specific challenges early in the development process allowing for sufficient opportunity
to solve problems.
~ooo Accomplishments
Overall, communication has improved with all affected parties in the development process
resulting in a problem solving approach and improved customer service. Specific examples
include the following: .
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Development Policies - Staff is compiling all existing development policies in order to evaluate
and prepare a comprehensive Development Policy rvtanual.
Development Services Satisfaction'Survey developed. Survey sent to owner/developer once
a Certificate of Occupancy is issued.
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Development of a project review le~er that includes input from all departments an~.the
applicable contact. Also, the letter indicates the pertinent code sections for each item.
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DRT GOALS FOR 2001
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Improve audio/visual presentations including access to GIS maps.
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Effective management of all development projects.
Completion of a development guid~ inCluding applicable policies and guidelines.
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The effqrts of many staff have resulted in a model approach to managing development in a
responsive and efficient manner. The response to the QRT process has been positive and both
staff and the development community look 'forward to a busy and exciting 2001.