Receive Update on Purmort Home Complaints and Current Permit Metrics

At the July 28 City Council Meeting, a group of Residents in the North Commons area of The COR expressed concerns about the quality of work by their builder. In additions, concerns were raised about the City's inspection process. Staff will provide an update to the Council on the work plan to address these complains. 

Purmort Homes Quality of Work Complaint

When reviewing these complaints, the City must review in the context of minimum code standards, not quality of work. Below is an excerpt from the Department of Labor and Industry's Enforcement Division.

If you elect to submit a complaint, please know that our investigation would solely seek to determine if the contractor has violated the contractor licensing law. If a violation(s) can be substantiated, appropriate administrative enforcement action would be considered. The Department has no jurisdiction over contractual disputes or any allegations of poor quality of work. Potential violations we could/would investigate include: Unlicensed activity, failure to obtain required permits and inspections, failure to provide a written contract and/or change orders, failure to correct building code violations issued by a certified building official, failure to pay subcontractors and/or material suppliers, etc.

Staff is awaiting the requested information from Residents on specific concerns about quality of work. Once that information is received, we will begin the process of working with the neighborhood to explore options. 

Response Times

The COVID-19 Pandemic and associated Stay at Home Orders and increase in telecommuting has changed the way our work in permit review and inspections is completed. While Inspections Staff is primarily in the office and not telecommuting, there was a greater degree of telecommuting in April when activity levels picked up. Additionally, while new construction remains strong, there has been a large increase in 'Do It Yourself - DIY' home improvement projects. Staff spends a bit more time per permit on these project types without a contractor to help navigate the plan review and inspection process. 

Year to Date, the City has issued over 2,300 permits and performed over 4,800 inspections. 

For residential projects, our Council Approved Metrics are (from date of complete application):

• 10 Business Days (2 Weeks) for Plan Review
• 48 Hour Inspection Window

During June and July, Staff began to fall slightly outside these metrics, with plan review pushing to 3 weeks. Staff has since increased the amount of contracted inspections to keep up with the work volume. That being said, Staff has noted a growing expectation amongst Residents/Homeowners for Plan Review to be completed in 1 week, not the approved 2 weeks. Staff is willing to have this conversation about acceptable metrics, but would recommend converting some of our contracted inspections to a City Employee (net neutral proposal in terms of Tax Rate) for a more stable base. Staff would still contract a large portion of inspections as needed per current policy. 

30 Minutes

This can also be discussed in the context of the 2021 Budget Case during the Personnel Section. 

Funding for any Staffing changes would be paid for through permit revenue. 

Deputy City Administrator

Direct Staff that either 1) current response times are acceptable; or 2) the Council desires to amend approved response times/metrics.