Adopt Resolution #19-242 Approving Temporary Contracted Inspection Assistance with Rum River Construction Consultants

The purpose of this case is to authorize a professional services contract with Rum River Construction Consultants on a temporary basis to supplement our current professional services contract with Inspectron, Inc. These professional services are utilized for plan review and inspections for Building Permits. This is a budget neutral activity. The activity is funded by fees charged for services on Building Permits. Activity level is extremely high at the moment due to large commercial/industrial projects and recent storm damage to homes. Unfortunately, the City has tapped all available resources from the current vendor and additional assistance is necessary at this point.

This is estimated to be approximately 20 hours a week. There are no minimum hours required. If workload does not dictate need, hours will not be scheduled.

For this activity, the City sets the following metrics.

• Respond to phone and email inquiries same day (at least to acknowledge receipt of inquiry)
• Residential Permits issued within 2 weeks
• Commercial Permits issued within 4 weeks
• Inspections available within 48 hours of request

Throughout the later summer months, Staff was slightly above these metrics. However, as the quality construction season nears its end, Developers and Builders are working quickly to get footings in ground before frost conditions. This requires several weeks of plan design and review and several weeks of site preparation before that can happen.

Notification is not required.

This year is proving to be a very successful year for commercial industrial projects.

• Under Construction
  • Ace Solid Waste Transfer Station Expansion
  • M & G Trailer
  • Ramsey Storage Center
• In Review
  • Anderson Dahlen
  • Delta ModTech
  • Name Brand Self Storage
  • Sapphire Apartments
  • Suite Living Assisted Living and Memory Care
  • West Armstrong Retail

As noted above, the City charges a fee for service for plan review and inspections. In order to adequately provide this service in a timely manner, Staff recommends that additional inspection assistance is warranted and needed at this time. This temporary, contracted solution allows the City to be flexible and prudent with expenses related to plan review and inspections.

Staff expects an elevated service need for the next 60 days. Additionally, by entering into a professional services contract with Rum River Construction Consultants, Staff will be able to react more quickly in the future with these needs. The contract with Rum River Construction Consultants would remain secondary to Inspectron, Inc., the City's primary contracted inspection service.

Rum River Construction Consultants is based in Princeton, MN and provides similar services in multiple communities, including Nowthen, MN. The Owner of this firm, Andy Schreder, is a former Inspector with the City of Ramsey and is familiar with our processes and procedures. The firm also offers Saturday service for customers, if the City so desires.

This expense is funded through fees for service collected with the Building Permit. Expenses would not exceed revenue collected for the service. Based on Staff Review of similar service providers, $75 is an average charge per hour.

Staff recommends approval of a professional services contract with Rum River Construction Consultants to supplement existing contracted inspections with Inspectron, Inc.

Motion to adopt Resolution #19-242 approving professional services contract with Rum River Construction Consultants.