Because of staffing shortages in the plan-ning and community development department, the City Council is being asked to amend existing contracts with two outside firms to provide personnel to handle people applying for building permits, as well staff to conduct inspections and make sure developments are up to code.
The first contract to be extended is with California Code Check for $250,000, but it will not exceed $450,000. It is for plan check and inspection services.
The second expenditure will go to an existing contract with JAS Pacific for $1 million, but not to exceed $2.1 million, for plan check, code enforcement, inspection and permit administrative services.
Because of complaints throughout the business community, the City Council hired an outside firm in 2004 to evaluate the efficiencies, staffing levels and customer service within the planning and community development department.
The costs are designed to provide support in periods of low staffing, when consistent customer service is compromised.
In July of 2004, the Matrix Consulting Group evaluated the city’s permit, plan check, inspection and code enforcement processes. It recommended that the department be permanently staffed to provide service during peak periods of demand.
The increased level of staffing was required to respond to an increased need for services and to improve the frequency that staff could provide inspection services for the day after a request, which is industry standard, according to a city staff report.
City staff justify the expenditures by explaining that much of the work that’s being done by the outside firms is not in the purview of what can currently be provided in house.
Originally published in the Santa Monica Daily Press print edition on June 13, 2006. Read the original PDF.