pages: CityCouncil/2005-06-07.pdf, 22
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CityCouncil | 2005-06-07 | 22 | Vice Mayor Gilmore stated that cutting a position that generates revenue may need to be re-thought the City needs to be business friendly. Councilmember deHaan inquired whether the City uses contract assistance when there are surges in the workload and whether the costs would be covered by the fees, to which the Building Official responded in the affirmative. louncilmember Matarrese inquired whether the cut of the Planning Services Manager would slow down the permit and plan review process, to which the Building Official responded that there would be a slow down in plan review with a ripple effect on advanced planning projects. Councilmember Matarrese stated the cut is not large enough to justify the slow down; the costs incurred due to the cut would be far greater than the savings. Mayor Johnson inquired about the possibility of utilizing outside consultants. The Acting City Manager responded that surges and decreases in activity make it difficult to maintain even staffing levels; outside consultants are used to staff up for surges and are paid for by the applicant. Mayor Johnson stated that staffing should not be leveled to meet the peak demand. The Acting City Manager stated that the new Planning and Building Director could determine the right amount of staffing to handle the workload. Councilmember Matarrese stated that he is concerned with the intermediate and smaller projects whose proponents and owners do not have the ability to absorb the delay; doing work without permits might be encouraged and cause a deterioration of the housing stock across the City; the City should be mindful in trying to save a small amount of money and paying a large price in the future. Councilmember deHaan inquired what the status was for establishing a one-stop permit center and whether it was within the budget. The Building Official responded that staff is working with the Special Joint Meeting Alameda City Council, Community 7 Improvement Commission, and Alameda Reuse and Redevelopment Authority June 7, 2005 | CityCouncil/2005-06-07.pdf |