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DBI reports higher permit valuations, improved inspection response and plans for public outreach summit
Summary
Acting Director Amy Lee told the commission the department's year-to-date permit valuation rose from about $1.35 billion to $2.5 billion, inspection completion rates are near 98.5% within 48 hours for several divisions, and staff will hold an Oct. 25 public outreach summit on permitting and related topics.
Acting Director Amy Lee gave an operational update noting the department's workload and several initiatives at the Aug. 7 meeting.
Lee reported year-to-date permit valuation through July increased to about $2.5 billion compared with roughly $1.35 billion last full year, a rise she attributed to project complexity rather than a major change in permit counts (60,500 vs. 60,971). "This year, yes. That's what we've just completed as of July," Lee said when describing the $2.5 billion figure.
She told commissioners DBI is completing most inspections within the department's target window: building and plumbing inspections at about 98.5% within 48 hours and electrical at about 96%. Lee said staff are refining how the department measures turnaround (requested-inspection time vs. scheduled date) to ensure consistent tracking.
On seismic safety and the Community Action Program for Seismic Safety (CAPS), Lee said staff revised an RFP and that the resulting contract scope increased by over $700,000; because the original contract dated from 2000, the department was advised to re-open procurement and expected a shortened schedule for selection because only a few vendors provide the required services. She also described an inventory and prioritization process for existing buildings and said the department will present monthly updates to the commission.
Lee announced a public outreach summit on Oct. 25 to cover permitting, condo conversions, landlord/tenant responsibilities and high-rise issues, and invited commissioner feedback on summit topics.
She also briefed the commission on UMB compliance: staff reported 28 buildings with no sponsor action, specified numbers for pending permits and completed work, and said several cases have been referred to the city attorney for enforcement action. Lee noted the department has scheduled vendor meetings and a Code Advisory Subcommittee discussion to advance emergency gas-shutoff valve legislation with a special meeting planned for Aug. 29.
Lee concluded that the department is making progress on staffing, process improvements and public outreach but that some items will take additional time to implement.
