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BCC Minutes 10/02/2006 W (Permitting Overview) October 2, 2006 MINUTES OF THE MEETING OF THE BOARD OF COUNTY COMMISSIONERS PERMITTING WORKSHOP Naples, Florida, October 2, 2006 LET IT BE REMEMBERED, that the Board of County Commissioners in and for the County of Collier, having conducted business herein, met on this date at 9:00 a.m. in REGULAR SESSION at Administrative Building F, 3rd Floor Collier County Government Center, Naples, Florida, with the following members present: Commissioners: Jim Coletta Fred Coyle Donna Fiala Frank Halas Tom Henning (absent) ALSO PRESENT: Jim Mudd, County Manager Joe Schmitt Brenda Talbert Susan Murray Kim Grant Bill Hammond Al Zichella 1 ~ -~ ( ---- ""iOi AGENDA October 2, 2006 9:00 a.m. BCC "Permitting" Workshop 3rd Floor Boardroom W. Harmon Turner Building Frank Halas, Chairman, District 2 Jim Coletta, Vice-Chairman, District 5 Donna Fiala, Commissioner, District 1 Tom Henning, Commissioner, District 3 Fred W. Coyle, Commissioner, District 4 NOTICE: ALL PERSONS WISHING TO SPEAK ON ANY AGENDA ITEM MUST REGISTER PRIOR TO SPEAKING. SPEAKERS MUST REGISTER WITH THE COUNTY MANAGER PRIOR TO THE PRESENTATION OF THE AGENDA ITEM TO BE ADDRESSED. ALL REGISTERED PUBLIC SPEAKERS WILL RECEIVE UP TO THREE (3) MINUTES UNLESS THE TIME IS ADJUSTED BY THE CHAIRMAN. COLLIER COUNTY ORDINANCE NO. 2004-05, AS AMENDED, REQUIRES THAT ALL LOBBYISTS SHALL, BEFORE ENGAGING IN ANY LOBBYING ACTIVITIES (INCLUDING, BUT NOT LIMITED TO, ADDRESSING THE BOARD OF COUNTY COMMISSIONERS), REGISTER WITH THE CLERK TO THE BOARD AT THE BOARD MINUTES AND RECORDS DEPARTMENT. IF YOU ARE A PERSON WITH A DISABILITY WHO NEEDS ANY ACCOMMODATION IN ORDER TO PARTICIPATE IN THIS PROCEEDING, YOU ARE ENTITLED, AT NO COST TO YOU, TO THE PROVISION OF CERTAIN ASSISTANCE. PLEASE CONTACT THE COLLIER COUNTY FACILITIES MANAGEMENT DEPARTMENT LOCATED AT 3301 EAST TAMIAMI TRAIL, NAPLES, FLORIDA, 34112, (239) 774-8380; ASSISTED LISTENING DEVICES FOR THE HEARING IMPAIRED ARE AVAILABLE IN THE COUNTY COMMISSIONERS' OFFICE. 1. Pledge of Allegiance 2. Permitting Overview a. Joe Schmitt, Administrator, Community Development and Environmental Services Division b. Kim Grant, Senior Management and Operations Consultant, Office of Management and Budget c. Brenda Talbert, Executive Vice President, Collier Building Industry Association 3. Commissioners' Questions and Concerns 4. Public Comment 5. Adjourn INQUIRIES CONCERNING CHANGES TO THE BOARD'S AGENDA SHOULD BE MADE TO THE COUNTY MANAGER'S OFFICE AT 774-8383. October 2, 2006 The meeting was called to order by Commissioner Frank Halas at 9:00 a.m. A quorum was established. 1. Pledge of Allegiance The Pledge was recited. 2. Permitting Overview a. Joe Schmitt, Administrator, Community Development and Environmental Services Division Commissioner Fiala joined the meeting at 9:01 a.m. Mr. Schmitt gave a power point presentation (see attachment) reviewing: How the public and developers view permitting. How the permitting process has been evolving. (Commissioner Coyle left the meeting at 9:05 a.m.) The amount of permits in Collier County. (Commissioner Coyle rejoined the meeting at 9: 11 a.m.) Bill Hammond demonstrated the size of a typical commercial plan set. Mr. Schmitt continued his presentation: Actions taken by the permitting department. Permits that have gone through the process were demonstrated. b. Kim Grant, Senior Management and Operations Consultant, Office of Management and Budget Ms. Grant mentioned that her position is to objectively review operations throughout the County to improve effectiveness, productivity and efficiency. She then gave a power point presentation (see attachment) reviewing: Zoning Department studies: o Reviews had been taking over 44 days to perform; due to changes reviews now average only 17 days. o SDP's had taking 7-8 months to perform (she then demonstrated the previous SDP time line and difficulties along with the modified current process, which has resulted in approvals within 5-6 months.) o A liaison has been set up. Mr. Zichella joined the meeting at 9:30 a.m. 2 October 2, 2006 Environmental Department studies: o 20-25 days for reviews. o She reviewed the situation and demonstrated how the organization is now sustainable with nine employees due to changes. Building Review and Permitting studies are still under review (she reviewed the process as it had been and the potential improvements) Mr. Mudd mentioned how successful Ms. Grant's work has been and thanked the Commissioners for allowing her come in. Mr. Schmitt gave a power point presentation (see attachment) reviewing customer service improvements for building, and land use applications which include early work permits and phase permits. He also reviewed future goals and focuses. Staff was thanked for their work. Questions were addressed. There is a 15% turn over of personnel. It is difficult to higher Planners due to their high demand in many Counties. Inspectors are in the process of being hired so that inspection counts per day can drop from the current average of 38 down to around 22. Commissioner Coletta gave kudos to the progress and Kim Grant. He requested a future progress report on the success of the ombudsman. Commissioner Fiala added that incoming complaints have reduced. She suggested for the layman having a list posted demonstrating the permitting process along with contact names. Ed Riley, Fire Code Official for Collier County through an inter local agreement with the County noted that they are interested in streamlining the process. There are different fire code requirements from what the Building Department has. Permits going in for review are often only 60% complete. He offered to be the liaison for persons with concerns with his department. Commissioner Coyle would like further discussion at a later time on the charts from the presentations covering permitting figures. It was requested that the staff bring the information back at a future board meeting. c. Brenda Talbert, Executive Vice President, Collier Building Industry Association Ms. Talbert noted that they are the customer of the County and the general public is the Collier Building Industry Association's customer. They will continue to make suggestions on improving the process. She commented that 3 October 2,2006 that the County's surplus of funds should be used for the improvement of level of service. Two improvements were suggested, one was to have the proper administrative personnel to avoid burnout and the other was to supply the needed technology. Mr. Al Zichella complimented Mr. Schmitt and Bill Hammond on their cooperation, since they had not had a voice in the past. He feels that it is inappropriate for the County to have a surplus of funds while the level of service is not what it should be. The level us service should be brought up or the fees should be reduced. He feels that things are improving. He thinks that the customers are the people and the applicants; the ones paying the bills. Referencing the demonstrated volume of permits he mentioned that a master community would have just one permit for a plethora of units. He added that the inspectors have been very good. He also pointed out that Wilma is a testimonial of the work of the Collier Building Industry Association for how well homes did within Collier County. There are many instances where the County's life safety code is in conflict with the fire code. It was recommended to allow builders to have options entered into a master permit for multi family plans. A common complaint from members is the additional comments from the reviews; a thorough and complete review should be done the first time. The citizen liaison has been great; persons should automatically be sent to him. He thanked all for the opportunity to have voice. He loves where things are going. Mr. Schmitt mentioned that the Collier Building Industry Association had asked for a formal dispute resolution process; but it has yet to be used since there is an open dialog. October 17th 9:00 a.m. - 12:00 p.m. at the Collier Building Industry Association building will be the next Industry Round Table Meeting. 3. Commissioners' Questions and Concerns Commissioner Coyle agreed to Mr. Zichella's comment on funds allowing for better service. Commissioner Halas added that due to the uniqueness ofthe County, help is needed with environmental issues and they need to be looked into. 4. Public Comment Erica Cotto, Enterprise Development Manager at the EDC mentioned that two years ago a study demonstrated overall dissatisfaction with fast tracking. There has since been a vast improvement. She thanked everyone for addressing the issues. 4 f:2 Cl aJ <: 0 W ~ 'in fh E 2:: E 0 W c::;) () .t:' <: t) ::l I-- 0 W u 0 <=> '0 ~ ~ ~ 0 !~ October 2, 2006 Eric Tysinger, Design Manager for the Fort Myers branch of Wayne Automatic Fire Sprinklers would like to have a way for the fire code to also have early work permits and phase permits. Notification of ordinance changes has been done after implementation and approval. He requested to be notified before hand, during the time they are being reviewed in order to attend the meetings and workshops. He would also like to see the Fire Inspectors be able to come back within the same day after a violation has been found when it can be corrected right away. He has seen vast improvements. Bill Klohn MOG Capital Corporation pointed out that he has been trying to show other Counties what a good job this County is doing since his position has him working with multiple Counties throughout Florida. He added that it is all about people, persistency, understanding the process, and employing the right professionals. He gave kudos to the good work performed. Matt Joyner who has been an architect for the past twelve years addressed the MUP process which he feels has created an additional step in the permitting process. Streamlining in this area would be helpful and appreciated. He encouraged Kim Grant to contact persons such as himself in the private sector. He also encouraged the continued cooperation with the Building Association and private sector. Mr. Joiner was invited to attend the October Industry Round Table Meeting. Mark Strain who has volunteered on County Boards mentioned that he has never worked with a more thorough group than there is currently at the Collier Building Industry Association. He is in full support. Joe Schmitt wished Ed Perico a speedy recovery from the heart attach. Commissioner Halas thanked everyone for attending the meeting. There being no further business for the good of the County, the meeting was adjourned by the order of the Chair at 11: 10 a.m. ': ~~ ".1; ;. .~.( ~ BOARD OF COUNTY C~NERS .~ ~~ . r.;,. t;:{I!-. Commissioner Frank Halas <t';';";' . ' /ATI,'.t:ST:,', ". _:', . (;DWIGH:t' E. BROCK,:CLERK '- ., ~ ' . ",. '. , ----ry ~ , ::: '~1" '1 ,,0 : - / f' . i?~.-.., ",,' ,Tl~.,*, Present~d' .' \', , as 5