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Public commenters allege workplace harassment at DBI and open permit enforcement issues
Summary
During public comment, speakers urged investigation into permit irregularities at a Marietta Drive property and one speaker alleged prolonged workplace harassment at DBI that he tied to multiple suicides; commissioners closed public comment and did not take formal action at this meeting.
Multiple public commenters raised serious allegations during the Building Inspection Commission’s public comment period on Nov. 14.
Jerry Drantler asked the commission to investigate code compliance at 147 Marietta Drive, saying a Notice of Enforcement issued in 2019 remained open and that a DBI complaint regarding exceeding scope of permit has not been closed; he named specific staff who approved permits and questioned how a $650,000 building permit could be issued while enforcement actions were open.
Chris Schroeder alleged long-running harassment of building inspectors at DBI that he said resulted in the suicide of three former field inspectors and ongoing harm to current inspectors. Schroeder described personal experiences of workplace bullying, alleged inaccurate performance reviews and transfers that did not accommodate disability, and urged the city to discipline supervisors who he said boasted about intimidating inspectors. Those are allegations raised during public comment; the record shows the statements were made but no departmental disciplinary actions or investigations were announced at the meeting.
Commissioners did not take formal action on these public comments during the meeting. DBI staff present offered general opportunities for follow-up and the director’s report and subsequent agenda items did not record a formal staff response or the opening of an investigation in the public minutes.
Provenance: Public comments by Jerry Drantler and Chris Schroeder appear in the meeting record during the general public comment period and later in item-specific public comments (Marietta Drive comments and harassment allegations were recorded at the start of the meeting).
