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City delays decision on Ely building official start date pending medical update
Summary
Chris Flannery, the City of Ely's incoming building official, asked for more time to begin work because of medical matters; Council directed him to provide a status update at the Jan. 22 meeting and discussed interim coverage and third-party inspection options.
The Ely City Council on Jan. 8 agreed to delay a formal determination of a start date for its incoming building official, Chris Flannery, after Flannery told the panel he is managing an unexpected medical situation and expects clearer timelines after a follow-up appointment with a surgeon.
Flannery, participating by videoconference, said he had a procedure scheduled and that he and his wife are "climbing a little bit of a hill here," asking the Council for time to resolve near-term health questions. "We have hope, and we have faith," he said, and told the council he hoped to have firmer information after Jan. 15.
The delay comes amid the Building Department's busy calendar; Jennifer Drew-Lesher, the department's management assistant, told the Council in public comment that the department is handling ongoing plan reviews and inspections with help from retired former building official Brad Christiansen and that the City has contacted third-party inspection firms as a contingency. "It is going to take someone extremely qualified to be able to handle" upcoming residential and commercial work, Drew-Lesher said, noting large renewable-energy projects and upcoming enforcement responsibilities.
Council members discussed interim coverage and contingencies. Mayor Nathan Robertson said Christiansen had indicated willingness to fill in through Jan. 16; staff told the Council they had met a firm that provides third-party plan review and inspection services and were awaiting the firm's proposed rates and statement of qualifications.
Councilman Terrill Trask asked whether the City should reopen the recruitment to find alternate candidates; Councilman Dennis Perea and others said they expect clearer information within two weeks but acknowledged a need to plan for a longer-term solution if uncertainty remains. Councilwoman Jerri Lynn Williams-Harper moved and the Council voted to require Flannery to provide an update at the Jan. 22 City Council meeting so the panel can consider next steps.
The Council took no final personnel action on Jan. 8; it recorded the motion to revisit the start date at the Jan. 22 meeting. The City will consider continued use of Christiansen, contract work from third-party firms and, if necessary, reopening the recruitment process.
Next steps: Flannery is to report on his availability at the Jan. 22 meeting. If the Council elects additional interim arrangements it will consider contract terms and rates for third-party inspection services.
