Council approves consultant to review downtown building codes, offer workshops for redevelopment

The City Council approved a professional services agreement with Paul (last name presented as Sharnett/Paul) to review local building codes and provide outreach to building owners, developers and real‑estate stakeholders interested in downtown rehabilitation and upper‑floor residential conversions.

Council members said Sharnett has worked with the housing committee and provided guidance during the city’s 2024 code update. Staff described the scope: a comprehensive review of existing codes to identify barriers to residential development above commercial space, a workshop for owners and potential developers (tentatively targeted for early October), and on‑call project‑specific code guidance. The agreement specifies hourly consulting rates for project work and a credit mechanism: if a building-owner contract resulting from the consultant’s guidance exceeds $7,500, the city would receive a credit of no less than $100 per hour toward the consultant’s fees.

A councilmember who sits on the special housing committee said Sharnett’s presentation to the committee was "very enlightening" and supported moving ahead. The council voted to approve the professional services agreement and directed staff to begin the code review and schedule outreach workshops.

Staff noted that Paul is currently working on multiple local projects, including a courthouse renovation, and that Adam Dantz with GLC EDC helped connect the city to the consultant. The council moved the item forward by motion and approved it by roll call.