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Planning and building staff request consultant flexibility, software licenses and training; permit tech certification and inspector hiring discussed
Summary
Planning and building staff requested retention of consultant funds for a downtown zoning overlay or economic master plan, discussed software licensing costs for Bluebeam and City Inspect, and flagged the need for at least one additional building inspector as development activity increases.
A planning/building staff member (speaker identified as "meeting participant" in the transcript) told the council the department wants to retain consultant funding to support potential projects such as a downtown zoning overlay or an economic master plan. Staff said $35,000 had been approved previously and that the city has about $65,000 held in a dedicated economic fund that could be applied.
On software, staff discussed Bluebeam (plan-review software) and City Inspect (permit management). Staff said Bluebeam individual licenses are roughly $335 per seat and the city is exploring a corporate license to reduce per-seat cost. City Inspect costs were described as roughly $7,500 per year (based on permit volume) and largely paid from a central department budget; staff said more planning and stormwater management could be added into City Inspect usage.
The building department reported that an employee, Tammy, earned her permit-tech certification and that staff intended to consider a pay adjustment tied to the certification. The department also discussed recruiting another inspector because development and PID work near Sand Hollow may soon increase vertical construction and permit demand. Staff proposed outreach to local candidates, internships and possible training pathways to certify new inspectors.
Staff noted routine equipment and minor computer upgrades in the building/planning budgets and recommended Bluebeam rollout training. No formal vote was recorded; staff and council members agreed to keep consultant funds available and to follow up with specific consultant or hiring proposals.
