Minto’s chief building official could be spending considerably more time on the road over the next few months.
On Aug. 13 Centre Wellington councillors approved an agreement with the Town of Minto “for the provisional use of a temporary building inspector.”
The move followed the report submitted by chief building official Bob Foster who also spoke to councillors at that meeting.
Foster recommended Centre Wellington execute an agreement with the Town of Minto for the provisional use of a temporary building official – Terry Kuipers.
The agreement would have an expiry date of Dec. 31, 2012.
Foster said “Unfortunately we’ve had some unforeseen medical issues arise in the building department at sort of an inopportune time … having a record year of building within the township … and down 50 per cent in terms of inspection staff.”
Currently two of the department’s building officials are on leaves of absences and/or modified duties.
“We felt it was necessary to temporarily augment the staff over the foreseeable future – until we get back to full staffing.”
Foster said the staffing situation and workload is being reviewed weekly “but it may be several months before the absences and workload will be aligned again.”
He said in addition to current temporary reductions in administrative staff and the normal vacation schedules of employees the department is attempting to maintain inspection schedules for existing permits issued.
However, he agreed some delays are occurring.
“Mandatory permit decision times for permits for all classes are now being exceeded and there is inadequate existing inspector staff capacity available to address bylaw enforcement issues as they arise.”
He explained that as a result, administrative staff are currently focused on statutory responsibilities for building code administration.
In turn, that resulted in the cancelation and postponement of both committee of adjustment and Heritage Centre Wellington hearings and meetings in June, July and August.
Foster said “staff overtime has been authorized but it is only marginally helping and allowing for some permit issuance.”
He added, “In light of the current and continuing high levels of construction activity within the community and to address the need for the municipality to provide mandatory permitting and inspection turn around time frames, arrangements have been made with the Town of Minto for the temporary assistance of a building official for the next three to four months.”
That person will likely provide assistance of up to three days per week to a maximum of 21 hours per week at an hourly rate on an “as-needed basis” as outlined in the agreement beginning Aug. 15.
The person would use a township vehicle while conducting inspections so additional costs are not anticipated, Foster stated.
He estimated the arrangement will not have any adverse affect on the 2012 department budget which is currently in a $200,000 positive variance position for the first six months of the year.
He said staff has prepared a temporary appointment bylaw to appoint Terry Kuipers from Minto as a building official for Centre Wellington as soon as the bylaw passes.
Foster explained, “Kuipers will conduct plans examinations and on-site building inspections as he is fully qualified to conduct all classifications of inspection as per the building code qualifications and registration requirements.”
He added “this situation is meant as an interim measure which will need to be reviewed by staff in October and a status report will be presented to council in November.”
Councillor Walt Visser asked for clarification as to the time frame that would remain in effect.
“We don’t know,” Foster said.
He said one employee is anticipated to be on a short-term disability, but the time frame as to how long the other individual would be off was unknown.
Councillor Steve VanLeeuwen thanked Foster for the later report on the department activities.
“It’s good to see how busy we really are in that department.”
Mayor Joanne Ross-Zuj said while council wished its staff a speedy recovery, the township needed to authorize the agreement with Minto to temporarily appoint Kuipers as a building inspector for Centre Wellington – as needed.
The recommendation was carried.
