HomeMy WebLinkAbout2nd RPLCMNT SR - C32950A and C33150CITY OF PALM DESERT
BUILDING & SAFETY DEPARTMENT
STAFF REPORT
REQUEST: INCREASE TO PLAN REVIEW / INSPECTION SERVICE
CONTRACTS
SUBMITTED BY: Russell A. Grance, Director of Building and Safety
DATE: March 13, 2014
CONTENTS:
1. Staff Report dated November 14, 2013
2. Memo dated December 3, 2013 from Lori Carney, Human Resources Manager
3. Memo dated December 3, 2013 from Russell A. Grance, Director of Building
and Safety
Recommendation:
By Minute Motion,
1. Authorize an additional $20,000 to Account No. 110-4420-422-3010 related C32950A
to Professional Architectural/Engineering (SFA - Plan Review). This action
would amend the prior authorized amount of not to exceed $40,000 to not to
exceed $60,000 for Plan Review services for the remainder of fiscal year
2013-2014.
2. Authorize an additional $51,000 to Account No. 110-4420-422-3010 related C33150
to Professional Architectural/Engineering (Willdan — Hourly contract
Inspection Services).
3. Appropriate $71,000 from the unobligated general fund reserve to FY 13/14
Account 110-4420-422.30-10. The cost for Contract Services is recoupable
through plan check and building permit fees collected for projects.
Background or Discussion:
On November 14, 2013, the City Council authorized the City Manager to use a contract
Building Inspector (Willdan) to alleviate the strain of increased construction activity on
inspection services. At the time building inspections were being delayed for up to 7
days, far outside the City's normal 24 hour turnaround.
The addition of the contract inspector, at 40 hours per week, has resulted in a more
manageable workload and allowed the department to again provide next day
inspections in most cases. The contract inspector from Willdan has a $95 per hour bill
rate, and we are currently using him 40 hours per week to maintain the inspection load.
At this rate the City has spent $40,945.00 for contract inspection through January 2014.
Staff Report
INCREASE TO PLAN REVIEW / INSPECTION SERVICE CONTRACTS
March 13, 2014
Page 2
The initial plan was to use a contract building inspector and hire a full time building
inspector during the mid -year budget cycle. This plan has since changed and we will
seek to hire a new full time building inspector during the 2014-2015 budget cycle. The
recent mid -year budget adjustment approved by Council for the Department of Building
and Safety included an additional $70,000 to originally be used as follows:
• $40,000 to hire a contract inspector from Willdan until March 2014
• $30,000 to cover contract plan check services for the balance of this fiscal year.
With the change in direction we will be using a Willdan inspector for the remainder of
the 2013-2014 FY. The recent $70,000 approval will be allocated to cover the hourly
contract building inspector. Willdan's billings for the months of Nov 2013 through
January 2014 total $40,945.00. The remaining potential billable hours through June 30,
2014 will be 840 hours. The billable hourly rate is $95.00 which comes to approximately
$79,800.00.
$70.000.00 (Mid Year allocation)
$40,945.00 (Current bills Nov -Dec paid)
$29,055.00 (Balance)
$79,800.00 (Needed for billable hours Feb thru June)
$29,055.00 (Balance)
$50,745.00 (Approximate additional funds needed)
Fiscal Analysis
The cost for Contract Services is recoupable through plan check fees collected for
projects, and has been included in the annual Building Departments budget for FY
2013-2014 (Acct. # 110-4420-422.30-10, $20,000 + $51,000 = $71,000). No other
fiscal impact is anticipated to the City.
Submitted By:
CITY COUNCILA TION
APPROVED DENIED
RECEIVED OTHER
Russell A. Grance, Director of Building & Safety
Approv
P S. Gibson, Director of Finance
M. Wohlmuth, City Manager
MEETING DATE 03- i 3_ 9/
AYES: pSL'Y) ttami Q Oi er, L(JL e', �TCer)!7Pi
NOES. Na')&
ABSENT: IQ 006
ABSTAIN. NI �V11
VERIFIED BY. i2r
Original on File with City rk's Office