DBI director departs; Commission approves Edward Sweeney as deputy director

At the start of the Aug. 20 meeting, the Commission acknowledged a resignation letter from former Department of Building Inspection Director Esam Hassanen, who said he was leaving to pursue a private-sector opportunity and thanked staff and commissioners for support during his tenure.

The letter, read into the record, thanked DBI staff and said recent reforms and fee adjustments (noted to take effect Sept. 2) would leave the department positioned to continue improving permit review and customer service. "It has been an honor and a pleasure to work with everyone on the Building Inspection Commission," the letter concludes, signed "Esam Hassanen." (letter text read by staff.)

Commissioners welcomed Acting Director Vivian Day, who was in the meeting, and discussed sending a commission thank-you to Hassanen. Later in the agenda the Commission convened a closed session to consider a public-employee appointment and subsequently voted to disclose the closed-session discussion.

Acting Director Day announced that the Commission had approved the appointment of Edward Sweeney, chief building inspector, as Deputy Director of Inspection and Housing Services. The decision was described as unanimous. Sweeney addressed the commission: "I really look forward to serving with each and every one of you," he said.

The commission also approved the minutes from its May 21, 2008 meeting; one commissioner abstained due to absence.

Provenance: Director's resignation letter read into the record (SEG 03526#8211;SEG 067); appointment motion, disclosure vote and announcement (SEG 141826#8211;SEG 1461).