[Mpls] Minneapolis Council votes to Eliminate Electrical Inspectors

[rick broberg]

>Let say that each inspector makes approximately $60,000 per year, times ten is $600,000 leaving a net  
>loss of $500.000 in revenue.


This is where McLaughlin and Rybak differ, largely.  Rybak has hammered City employees with 2% wage caps since he learned to do a budget.  In my opinion, I don't believe that if Mclaughlin were mayor, he would be so completely removed from the issues that he would cut out an entire department that is so vital to development and safety in Minneapolis.  I believe McLaughlin would see the value in the Electrical Inspections Division and support the unions of Minneapolis City employees.

David's figures on this are close.  During the Council proceeding, attendees were told the difference is 1 million in permit revenue to 1.4 million cost for an electrical inspection division.  The new Director of Construction Inspection Services, formerly of the Minneapolis City Attorneys Office, made the presentation to Council.  The Director of Inspections reports directly to the Director of Regulatory Services Department.  Ironically, as the list discusses the increased potential for safety issues in the delegation the electrical inspections division to the State, Regulatory Services new business plan stresses the top four values of 
1. Life Safety
2. Health
3. Livability
4. Accountability
Email me off-list if you would like a copy, it is large.

This idea seems to be in direct conflict with the values of the Regulatory Services Department.  This also hurts the Minneapolis community through the unemployment of these individuals, some who live in Minneapolis.  The Electrical Inspectors are an ethnically diverse division.  

Finally, with Rybak's new ONESTOP for development, looks like they would have to rename it (TWOSTEP?), as Minneapolis residents will be contacting the State for our electrical permits and inspections.  And, if you forget to contact the State for an inspection, or the contracted inspector does not show up at the time that you scheduled so that you could take time off from work to meet them, the State sends you a letter telling you that they will be shutting off your electricity because you failed to schedule a final inspection.  Never mind trying to coordinate with other Construction Inspection Services inspectors.  

In discussions with coworkers who live in suburbs with State inspections, the inspector took two weeks to get there.  Try telling that to your sheetrocker.


Laura Huseby
314 50th Street East