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, rte <br /> Personnel and Finance Committee <br /> August 30,2000 <br /> Page 2 <br /> Mr. Fozo noted that more staff is necessary in order to properly do plan and design <br /> reviews. They hope to have a one-week turn around whereas the state has a ten-week turn around <br /> process. The state is currently doing a very generic review addressing building type and <br /> occupancy. <br /> The City's Board of Zoning Appeals typically reviewed four (4) requests at each meeting <br /> which has now grown to ten (10); and the County Board of Zoning Appeals has gone from ten <br /> (10) to twenty(20) per meeting. It is becoming more time-consuming and the Board members are <br /> not paid for their services. <br /> Mr. Fozo noted that he gives educational talks to professional groups as an education <br /> outreach and keeps in touch with title companies. <br /> Council Member Aranowski inquired whether licenses were being sold noting that a lot of <br /> that had happened in 1998-1999. Mr. Fozo stated that it does but not as much, with only one <br /> incident this year. He noted that all testing is now national and most problems are related to <br /> contractors who are not locally licensed. <br /> Council Member Coleman joined the meeting at this time. <br /> Mr. Fozo noted that AM General needs 600 pipefitters, as a result they will be seeking <br /> persons nationally. Isabelle Gonzalez noted that housing skilled trades are in short supply also. <br /> Mr. Fozo noted that he has entered into a contract with the County Commissioners to move <br /> into the Law Building 1st floor. Remodeling will cost $ 45,000 per year for three years which <br /> reflects a$ 1,000 savings on their current lease per year. After the three year period they will pay <br /> $ 10,000 per year for the space. <br /> Council Member Kirsits inquired about joining the inspections efforts with those in the fire <br /> department. Mr. Fozo noted that they have worked with the fire department but have not had <br /> discussions, but he would be open to it. He noted that the fire inspectors are brought in for final <br /> inspections since they are used in the area of maintenance and building use, whereas the building <br /> inspectors are used for construction codes. The Council Attorney noted that fees for fire <br /> inspections are a topic which the Fire Administration would like to pursue since most cities the size <br /> of South Bend have been charging for such services for years. <br /> There being no further business to come before the Committee, the meeting was adjourned <br /> at 3:50 p.m. <br /> Respectfully submitted, <br /> Council Member James Aranowski, Chairperson <br /> Personnel and Finance Committee <br /> KCF:kmf <br />