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HomeMy WebLinkAbout2016-01-04 Government Operations Committee Minutes Government Operations Committee Minutes January 4, 2016 Councilors Attending: Plourde, Perry, Graham, Sprague, Faircloth, Durgin Staff Attending: Conlow, Farrar, Emery, Higgins, Riitano, Sandborn Others Attending: Media Representatives Committee Chair Plourde called the Meeting to Order at 5:15pm 1. Update—Multifamily Housing Inspection Program - Fire Chief Higgins, Assistant Fire Chief Riitano, Fire Inspector Sandborn and Community and Economic Development Director Emery provided background information and details on the st first five months of the program which commenced on July 1. Engine Company’s from the Fire Department have completed 149 inspections—549 individual units have been inspected so far. These are three and four unit dwellings. Dwellings with over five units that are not inspected by other regulatory agencies are being inspected by fire inspectors given their size and the additional complexity. Among the more common findings / violations have been the lack of working smoke and C.O. detectors, no GFI’s, misuse of electrical cords and the need for general clean-up / housekeeping. Many of these issues have been corrected quickly and at minimal cost. The number of serious violations has not been significant to date. When violations are found that involve time consuming or expensive repairs or alterations, staff works with the landlord to develop a reasonable remedy schedule. Staff indicated that landlords have been receptive to the inspection program so far. A brochure was distributed that is made available to tenants and landlords describing general types of violations and other inspection related information. Committee members asked several questions about the program and specific types of violations, and expressed their appreciation for the work that has been done to date. While there was some initial skepticism about the program and privacy concerns, Committee members indicated that they were pleased with how the program is operating and the results. Chief Higgins noted that inspection work will continue and he praised the work of the firefighters who are conducting the inspections in additional to their other regular duties. The Committee thanked staff involved for their work and the positive report. As this was an update, there was no Committee action required. With no further business to come before the Committee, the meeting was adjourned at 5:30.