[Mpls] City Consumer Protection

[Jason C Stone]

My earlier post was not entirely clear.  This is a state licensed contractor doing business in
Minneapolis.

MN Dept of Commerce was able to act on a complaint that the contractor had an unsatisfied court
judgement against them.  Commerce cajoled them into paying up.  Unless you have a structural issue
or a court judgement, Commerce can not do much.

Thanks for the on and off list feedback.  It appears to me that Title 8 should be amended to
exclude state licensed building contractors, if the City is unable or unwilling to pursue such
complaints in an attempt to enforce ordinances.

Jason Stone
Diamond Lake
--- Jim Bernstein <bernie at mm.com> wrote:
> JASON - The Minnesota Department of Commerce handles all complaints
> against building contractors because they are licensed by the State of
> Minnesota and not by each city individually.  The investigators at
> Commerce are first rate and will be glad to help you.  
> 
> Minneapolis building inspectors are available if you think that a
> contractor has not complied with city or state building codes and can
> order specific work be done to comply with code.  They do not however,
> investigate complaints against contractors. 
> 
> Jim Bernstein
> Fulton
> (former Dept. of Commerce commissioner) 
> 
> -----Original Message-----
> From: mpls-bounces at mnforum.org [mailto:mpls-bounces at mnforum.org] On
> Behalf Of Jason C Stone
> Sent: Monday, April 12, 2004 3:20 PM
> To: mpls at mnforum.org
> Subject: [Mpls] City Consumer Protection
> 
> 
> I have a complaint against a licensed building contractor doing business
> in the City of Mpls. 
> City Ordinance Title 8, Chapter 154 outlines that the City Director of
> Regulatory Services shall
> receive & investigate all consumer complaints regarding violations of
> Chapters 152, 156 and 158.
> 
> Today I was told by the City Licenses and Consumer Services Division of
> Operations & Regulatory
> Services that the City no longer takes complaints against licensed
> building contractors- that the
> State has taken jurisdiction as of about 3 years ago.
> 
> Does this not leave the City in an awkward position?
> 
> Will any City department take complaints against a Minneapolis licensed
> building contractor that
> is in violation of Minneapolis Ordinances?
> 
> Jason Stone
> Diamond Lake
> 
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