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<br /> <br />Request for Action <br /> <br /> <br /> <br /> <br /> <br />To Item Number <br />Mayor and City Council 10.2 <br />Agenda Section Meeting Date Prepared by <br />Work Session October 16, 2023 Zack Carlton, Community Development Director <br />Item Description Reviewed by <br />Consultant for Commercial Plumbing Plan Review Mark Pistulka, Building Official <br />Reviewed by <br />Cal Portner, City Administrator <br /> <br />Action Requested <br />Discuss the hiring of a consultant to complete the plumbing review for commercial projects. <br /> <br />Background/Discussion <br />Currently, all commercial plumbing plans are reviewed by the state Department of Labor and Industry (DOLI). <br />This is the typical process that most cities of our size use due to staffing and qualifying experience. DOLI requires <br />anyone that reviews commercial plumbing plans to be certified through the state, and the city does not have a <br />qualified person. <br /> <br />While the current review process functions, the challenge we have seen our commercial developments face is the <br />time that it can take for the state to turn around a commercial plan review. In 2022 state plan review times <br />averaged 54 days, with the longest taking 83 days, and in 2023 the average was 58 days with the longest taking 91 <br />days. Without that review we cannot issue a plumbing permit and the project cannot move forward. <br /> <br />Staff proposes hiring a consultant to complete the commercial plumbing reviews to speed up the average review <br />time. The cost to the developer/building may increase slightly to ensure our administrative costs are covered, but <br />the timeline would be significantly reduced. If the City Council supports this option, we will bring a contract and <br />fee schedule update forward during a future meeting. <br /> <br />Financial Impact <br />The commercial plan review fee may increase to cover administrative costs. <br /> <br />Mission/Policy/Goal <br /> Support the growth and development of the business community. <br /> Expedite commercial plumbing plan reviews. <br /> <br />Attachments <br /> None <br /> <br /> <br />The Elk River Vision <br />A welcoming community with revolutionary and spirited resourcefulness, exceptional <br /> <br />service, and community engagement that encourages and inspires prosperity. <br />Updated: January 2023 <br /> <br />