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Economic Development Authority Minutes <br />Jwre 15,2020 <br />Page 4 <br />Mr. Portner stated staff typically seeks guidance from resPective outside agencies to <br />interpret policies if there are questions. <br />Commissioner Westgaard indicated building codes leave a lot to interpretation and <br />the difference between what the code actually says and staffs view on how it should <br />be done can be perceived as a persoltalagetda. <br />Mr. Portner questioned what can be done to claify the interpretation when there is a <br />question with the code. <br />Commissioner Wagner stated she hears the most concerns with inspections and <br />building code issues. She explained it is clear from the listening sessions that <br />residents and developers want to abide by the ordinance and building code. She <br />believes the problem is often a communication issue and she believed 980/o of these <br />issues could be solved by good communication with a customer service approach. <br />Commissioner Westgaard indicated attitude and approach are one part of it but <br />being good stewards of taxp^yet dollars is anothet. He questioned if the customer is <br />the taxpayet or the new applicant or business is the taxpayer. <br />Commissioner Wagner explained it doesn't mattef who the customef is and she <br />believes attitude and lack of communication is what gets developers and others on <br />the phone to the Council asking if this is how they want people doing wotk in the <br />city to be treated. She has concerns with residents or developers being told one thing <br />when they apply at city hall and being told something else once the application is <br />processed. <br />Commissioner Christianson stated he believes this may come from the back and <br />forth that is sometimes involved with resident/developers and the city. He added it <br />would be better to provide people with all the information up front. Mr. Portner <br />indicated plrying devil's advocate if people waflt to build up to code then everything <br />should be built to code when the inspectot goes out. Commissioner Christianson <br />suggested explaining to people why something needs to be done a certain way to <br />help them understand. <br />President Tveite explained he does not believe being a good steward of taxpayer <br />dollars and being courteous are mutually exclusive. He stated staff should always act <br />professional and courteous and if not, it should be a taining ot discipline issue. He <br />added by being courteous that does not mean staff should capitulate to everything <br />the developer is requesting. <br />Mr. Portner indicated the city has a high standatd of professionalism and at times <br />when issues with saff are brought to his attention, he took appropdate action. He <br />questioned if there is a way to get the specific feedback on these issues to see if they <br />have been addressed and questioned what process can be put in place to be sure of a <br />quick resolution when issues come up. <br />?0ttlt! lI <br />1