01/09/2008: "Have Ideas On Improving The Building Department??"

County Administrator Pete Rose informed the County Council On Tuesday that two staff openings in CD&PD (Community Development and Planning Department) that have been open for over a year have finally been filled. Rose said that a new plans examiner and a new permit coordinator have obtained housing on the island and they will report for work in two weeks.

Later in the day the Council held a public meeting on adopting a new version of the Building Advisory Council (BAC), to make it consistent with the Charter, and in the process they expanded it’s membership and instructed the County Administrator to make it an active and viable organization.

Councilman Rich Peterson asked Administrator Rose if the BAC was active, and Rose said that to his knowledge it was not.

The purpose of the BAC is to:

A. To recommend to the County Council and the building department suggestions regarding building code regulations through the development of new codes or legislation.

B. To recommend methods that could be implemented to improve and simplify County procedures for the permit application and issuance process.

C. To serve as a "sounding board" regarding building code issues and present forums on relevant construction issues.

D. To provide assistance in setting up meetings in a public forum to provide continuing education for the general public, architects, design professionals, contractors, consultants and County personnel and to instruct of discuss, through educational programs, existing or upcoming legislation and its impact on the citizens of San Juan County.

The County Council will appoint twelve members made up of citizens that represent various interests and professional associations related to construction and housing, such as contractors; engineers; architect; affordable housing; owner/builder experience, building materials; fire chief and one “resident at large. All of which is to say, anyone can apply.

The County will prepare an official notice in the near future that will spell out where and how to apply, and we will post it once it becomes available.