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HomeMy WebLinkAboutItem 8.3 Residential Evening Inspec Program~~~~ \ 1 ~t~V \~:~/ CITY CLERK File # ^Q0~-0^ AGENDA STATEMENT CITY COUNCIL MEETING DATE: April 21, 2009 SUBJECT: ATTACHMENTS: RECOMMENDATION: °~ FINANCIAL STATEMENT: DESCRIPTION: Background: Residential Evening Inspection Program Report Prepared by Gregory Shreeve, Building Official 1) Pilot Program Handout. 2) Comment Cards. 1) Receive Staff Presentation; and 2) Direct Staff to continue to offer Tuesday evening inspections. No financial impact The City Council listed as a medium priority goal in the Fiscal Year 2008-2009 Goals and Objectives the examination of the need for a Homeowner Afterhours Inspection Program. As a medium priority goal, the goal was not funded. However, Staff had received inquires from homeowners regarding inspections after 5:00 p.m. Staff reviewed these requests and was able to develop a Pilot Program at no additional cost to the City or the homeowner. The Pilot Program was limited to residential evening inspections and was developed to determine if such a Program would be used by the citizens. Customer Service: Building inspections are normally performed between 8:00 a.m. and 3:30 p.m. These hours have worked well over the years for the development community and contractors, but at times have not been conducive to a homeowner's schedule. These limited hours required some homeowners to take time off work for a project inspection. In an effort to increase customer service, the Pilot Program allowed homeowners to schedule an inspection that would be performed on Tuesday evenings between the hours of 4:00 p.m. and 7:00 p.m. Examples of the type of inspection requests that Staff had anticipated were: re-roofs, water heaters, accessory structures, heating systems, and similar types of inspections. The Pilot Program began COPY TO: Page 1 of 3 ITEM NO. G: IAgen~1ns120091Evening Inspection ProgramlCC SR Evening Inspections.doc on November 18, 2008 and is continuing pending direction from the City Council regarding continuing the Program. To promote the Pilot Program Staff developed a flyer (Attachment 1) advertising the Program. These flyers were attached to all permits issued to existing single-family dwellings and were included as part of a press release. In addition, the City's website was updated announcing the program and information was added to the Building and Safety Division's after hours phone message. Neighboring Cities: Staff contacted the Cities of Livermore, Pleasanton and San Ramon to inquire about their evening inspection programs. The Cities of Pleasanton and San Ramon report that they do not offer this type of program. The City of Livermore reported that their program has been a success. The City of Livermore's evening inspection program started slowly at 1 night per week, and due to its success,. has grown to 4 nights per week (Monday through Thursday). Pilot Program Results: The following is a summary of the results of the City of Dublin's Pilot Evening Inspection Program: ^ During the first 7 weeks (November 18, 2008 to December 31, 2008), the City received zero inspection requests. ^ Over the next 13 weeks (January 1, 2009 to March 31, 2009), the City received requests for inspection on 9 of 13 Tuesday evenings. ^ Staff performed 19 after-hour inspections since the program's inception: - 6 Water Heaters - 5 Furnaces and / or Air Conditioning Units - 4 Window Replacements - 2 Room Additions - 1 Electrical Service Change Out - 1 Re-Roof FINANCIAL IMPACT: The evening inspections are performed by a City contract inspector who works an alternate shift to avoid extra costs to the City or the homeowner in providing this service. As a result, there is no additional fee to the homeowner or cost to the City for this service. CONCLUSION: Based on the activity over the last 3 months, Staff feels that the Program is gaining momentum in the community. As the spring and summer months approach and more homeowners become aware of the Program, Staff anticipates an increase in the number of evening inspection requests. Homeowners have commented to the City's contract inspectors that the Pilot Program is "very convenient" and "a great customer service." A number of the homeowners reported that they are teachers and unable to take time off during the day for inspections. All participants stated they would use this service again if they had other work done on their property. Staff has included a few comment cards about the Program from homeowners (Attachment 2). Staff will review the Program after 1 year and make a recommendation to the City Council regarding the continuation of the Program. RECOMMENDATION: Staff recommends that the City Council: 1) Receive Staff Presentation; and 2) Direct Staff to continue to offer Tuesday evening inspections. ~~ - 4~1ot Programs Residential Evening Inspections Tuesday Evenings ,. i i '~, i i The City of Dublin will be available for building inspections '; on Tuesday evenings between the hours of 4pm and 7pm. ~' j Program dates: 11 / 18 / 08 to `~ ,' 3/31 J09 f Please call the Building Division before 4pm, no later than the Monday prior to your requested inspection date, to schedule your inspection. Please provide the following for each request: ~ Permit number ~ Project address ~ Contact name 8s phone number ~ Inspection type Note: We are only able to accommodate residential homeowner inspections at this time. Examples of available inspections include: Re-roofs, water heaters, gas lines, accessory structures, additions, HVAC 8s miscellaneous repair work. ~. City of Dublin Building Division Community Development Dept. 925-833-6620 ~ •,3 ~f ~. ~ - o ATTACHMENT 1 ~~ ~- o ~ NJN ~N~ ~ q~ n ~ , t`~i- -~l Help us serve you better! ~N What did you like about your experience. Can you offer any suggestions that would help improve our service? ~• V~r/rca ~ N SP ~~3"t o What was the purpose of your visit? ~suC1i'e' What department did you visit? i~~vu• .~ - a.rL- ~,~ s~ ~. ~sc ~ Who served you? C,~•AP ~I~.A~-f' f ~ ~ 0 t 3 What was the date? t Strongly Disagree Agree - I was waited on promptly d 4 3 2 1 My needs were understood ® 4 3 • 2 I Individual had a good attitude Q 4 . 3~_ 2 1 x.mc tw~~~ ~L ~ wa.L.~~ GR ~P 6 rr~~ The hours were convenient (y 4 3 2 1 Satisfied with overall service © 4 3 2 1 cuy sum zv - - ~ 1 ~~ Iii L~-C ~p~l~l1~ ~ C,~~~II ~~ i N ~#'l~'I DI`( ~ ti~°f 19i ~}. t~ ~!~ ..Help us serve you better! ~, W~_ ` Wh ' What did you like about your experience. Can you offer any suggestions that would help improve our service? at was th~ purpose of your visit? E~J~,~ V G~clt,2V ihSi~~..t~a~ What de artment did ou visit? p y L~nir~ 1 ~1 ~-f;~t Who served you? r-~l'~7`'~Gth Cl~,j~$GJ~CZ What was the date? ~ ~ u; Z(,~~ Strongly Disagree Agree I was w it d l a e on prompt y ~ 4 3 2 I My needs were understood 5' 4 3 • 2 'I x.me t~;®r> Individual•had a good attitude ~ 4 3~. 2 I ~~ The hours were convenient 5 4 3 2 1 '. ~.. S i f '(~f'c'rh' /~ s°m r/~][[/J~TC~ J N ~ ~ ~ I ('J ~ at s ied with overall service 5~ 4 3 2 I rnw, ATTACHMENT 2 `~ p 3 or Ari ~~0 ~ ~~t`l l!'M ~ „ ~ ~ 6~ '~ ~ ~ What did you like about your experience. Can you offer any suggestions that would ~ 19 -'~~-'-~ ~ us s rve y better! ~ l - help improve our service? What was the pu ose of your visit? ~/ i I ~ ~ rZ ' What department did you visit? ~~~~r (~' ,.,i~~ C'`i r~, S ~"' c. r, ~!•~ S ~t ~' Who served you? ? ~ (~ ~ u*~J d t Wh t th was e a e a Strongly `;`.`Disagree Agree , 5~ 4 3 2 I I was waited on promptly ~ 1 x: w• •• ( My needs were understood l5 ' 4 3 • 2 1 Individual had a good attitude ~) 4 3~. 2 I way.I. ~ ' e w'y~ ~r r1 ~ ~'E ~!' ~ `D The hours were convenient 5 4 3 2 I c"r saw ' 7 Satisfied with overall service 4 3 2 I rb~ ~