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DBI reports record revenues and high inspection activity as public commenters press for follow‑up on excavations and hotel conditions
Summary
Deputy Director Tares Madison reported FY2015–16 revenues exceeded $84 million and staff reported high inspection volumes; multiple public commenters asked DBI to re‑inspect excavation damage (59 Montana), address incomplete hotel repairs at 1139 Market St, and update the public on abatement appeals such as 1026 Clayton Street.
DBI presented a year‑end financial report showing FY2015–16 revenues of more than $84 million and continuing increases in spending. Deputy Director Tares Madison said valuation‑driven revenues were strong — building permits, plan review and premium review together accounted for the majority — and that staff will provide a quarterly FY2016–17 update at the next meeting.
Separately, DBI reported a busy enforcement month: the Building Inspections division performed 5,897 inspections (the highest of the year), housing inspections numbered 1,111, and complaints and notice‑of‑violation metrics were presented in the packet. Dan Lowry provided code‑enforcement statistics and noted cases referred to director's hearings and abatement actions.
Public commenters pressed DBI for specific follow‑up: Isabelle Paredes asked for a re‑inspection and a retaining wall at 59 Montana after excavation next door she says undermined her foundation; Kristi Akim urged DBI staff to follow through before winter rains. Mark Cherniv complained that Abatement Appeals Board hearings have been delayed for 1026 Clayton Street despite court orders and that cases appear to be "falling through the cracks." Joseph Thomas, a resident at the Budget Inn (1139 Market St), described long‑running renovation work that removed toilets and exposed residents to lead and asbestos, and he asked why permanent residents had not been relocated.
Commissioners requested staff reports and follow‑up items to return to the next meeting, including a status update on 1026 Clayton, exploration of providing online public access to notices of violation (as an interim step ahead of Accela overhaul), and a briefing on hiring and staffing constraints that affect inspection capacity.
Next steps: DBI will provide quarterly financial updates and work on improved public documentation (including attaching PDFs of notices of violation to online complaint lists) and will return with status reports on the specific public complaints raised.
