09-19-1991 Special Meeting MinutesSTATE OF MINNESOTA A Special Meeting of the City
COUNTY OF WRIGHT of Otsego was held this 19th
CITY OF OTSEGO day of September, 1991 at 7:30
PM. Norman F Freske, Mayor, Doug
Lindenfelser, Floyd Roden, and Larry Fournier, Council
Members, Jerome Perrault, Clerk, Elaine Beatty, Deputy
Clerk/Zoning Adm, and Judy Hudson, Secretary, were present.
The meeting was called to order by Mayor Norman F
Freske. The purpose of the meeting was to interview
candidates for the position of Building Inspector for the
City of Otsego.
The first candidate interviewed was Kevin Mealhouse. He
has taken Building Inspection Technology Courses at North
Hennepin Community College and Electrical and Boiler Operator
Courses at Anoka Vo-Tech. He said he is currently doing
Building Inspections for the City of Albertville, Frankfort
Township, and also for Wright Co in Otsego. Larry Fournier
asked him if he would have time to serve all three
communities. Mr Mealhouse said he would as he is already
doing Otsego for Wright Co. His fee in Frankfort Township is
60% of the Building Permit fee and 90% of the Plan Review
Fee, using the 1979 Building Code fee schedule. The 1979 fee
schedule for a $50,000.00 home is $283.00 for the building
permit and $183.75 for the plan review. The 1988 fee
schedule for $50,000.00 home is $414.50 for the building
permit and $269.42 for the plan review. He also gets 60% of
the permit fee for plumbing, well, septic and mechanical.
Larry Fournier asked him how he handles irate builders? He
said he usually leaves and comes back later, hopefully when
they are in a more reasonable mood. He also said he normally
takes calls from 7:00AM to 8:30AM, and starts inspecting by
9:00AM. He also has a car phone.
Richard Kruger, of 7640 - 150TH Lane NW, Ramsey, was the
second person interviewed. He said he is currently employed
by the Anoka Hennepin School District as a custodian but has
worked as a Building Inspector for Coon Rapids and Andover.
He has taken a Real Estate Course at Anoka-Ramsey Community
College and Building Inspection Courses at North Hennepin
Community College.
Judy Hudson asked him if he would be available to
inspect existing septic systems and he replied that he would
be. Norman F Freske asked him if he would be available
during the day time hours when the City Hall was open? He
said he would be, that he works the night shift at the
school. He said his fee would be negotiable. He was
salaried when he worked for Coon Rapids and Andover rather
than on a percentage basis. He would have a 3-day schooling
to attend before he could start inspecting in order to be up
to date on inspecting and he would like Council assistance on
this expense.
Kermit (Jerry) Olson, was the next candidate
interviewed. He said he is currently working as a Building
Inspector for the City of Big Lake. He is not licensed as a
Sewer Inspector as yet but could be in the near future. At
CITY OF OTSEGO SPECIAL COUNCIL MEETING MINUTES OF SEPTEMBER
19, 1991 AT 7:30PM - PAGE 2 -
Big Lake he is paid 50n of the permit fee and Big Lake uses
the 1985 Building Code Fee Schedule which is the same as the
1988 fee schedule. Big Lake also provides him with a
cellular phone, medical insurance for his family and a
$150.00 per month minimum guarantee. Norman F Freske asked
if he would be available to inspect existing sewer systems.
He said this would be difficult to do unless they are having
problems. At Big Lake, he checks the site plan first, then
makes out the building permit and then makes inspections
during the construction process. He also files quarterly
reports with the State. Larry Fournier asked him if he would
charge for a Plan Review if the Council requested it? He
said for residences he would not charge but for commercial
buildings he would charge a fee.
Loren Kohnen was the next candidate interviewed. He
said he and his wife operate the Metro West Inspection
Service employing six inspectors including himself. Five of
the inspectors are Class II Inspectors, one is a Class I
Inspector. Norman F Freske asked him if he was available
during day time hours. He said he would be, that he has an
office in Loretto where his wife works full time and takes
all the calls. Mr Freske also told him that Otsego would be
using the 1988 Fee Schedule. Mr Kohnen said he would charge
50% of the building permit fee and if the City wants Plan
Review done, the fee for that would be negotiable.
The building inspectors he employs are:
Al Peterson Orono
Lynn Paulson Zimmerman
Randy Schneewind Waconia
Jack Weizel Anoka
Jack Norberg Brooklyn Center
All of the inspectors carry pagers and can be contacted
at any time. He furnishes all the forms, including building
permit forms, carries Liability and Workmens Comp Insurance
on all employees. His inspectors are assigned to certain
areas so that contractors work with the same inspectors as
much as possible. If requested to do so, they would check
the building sites before construction starts.
If hired, he said he would like to be able to meet with
the Council from time to time to keep the Council informed as
to what is going on, new regulations, and any problems.
The Council will review the applications and contact the
candidates if another interview is desired before they reach
a decision on whom to hire. On mo -ion tie meetig,.a jou
NO F' 2'MP R ' DOUG LINDENFELSER, COUNCIL
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CITY OF OTSEGO SPECIAL COUNCIL MEETING OF SEPT 19, 1991 AT
7:30 PM - PAGE 3 -
FLOYD RDEN, COUNCIL
RONALD G BLACK, COUNCIL
ATTEST: JEROME PERRAULT, CLERK
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