Bellflower council discusses new online permitting system; staff say inspections scheduling and AI features are possible future additions

Bellflower staff presented and the city council approved as part of the consent calendar on June 23 a multi‑phase replacement of the city’s aging permit and permitting‑software system.

Staff said the current permitting system was implemented in 2007 and the vendor will stop supporting it, which prompted the proposed upgrade. The new platform will enable online permitting, online payments and digital plan review; staff estimated a roughly nine‑month build period for the first implementation phase. Staff described future integration options including an online plan‑check module, online inspection scheduling, and optional AI tools that could answer applicant questions using the city’s local code and system data.

Council members urged staff to prioritize user features that reduce back‑and‑forth at the counter. One council member said an online scheduling module that lets applicants pick inspection dates and windows is a high priority and asked staff to make that a firm planned feature. Staff responded that scheduling is a likely module and that plan‑check integration is already under negotiation.

Another council member asked about AI capabilities. Staff said AI features are a future possibility but implementation is premature until the city’s workflows are fully digitized; staff said small pilots are underway to explore municipal uses of AI.

The item was pulled for discussion from the consent calendar, discussed with staff, and then included in the consent calendar motion. The consent calendar passed by roll call; the record shows Mayor Pro Tem Sonny Santaynes, Council member Coops, Council member Morse, Council member Victor Sanchez and Mayor Dutton voting aye. Recusals on specific consent items were noted on the record where applicable.

Why it matters: City staff and council framed the project as a step toward faster turnaround for applicants, fewer paper copies and lower administrative costs for resubmittals. Staff said digital red‑lining of plan corrections will reduce the need for multiple printed sets and speed resubmittal review. The first phase emphasizes core permitting functions with optional modules to be phased in later.

Next steps: Staff will begin configuration and workflow mapping for the new system and expects to take roughly nine months to build the first phase. Council directed staff to prioritize online inspection scheduling and to continue exploring AI tools that draw only on the city’s internal data and municipal code to assist applicants.