Feature

What Do Inspectors Do?

by Doug Determan and Bill Smith

Minneapolis is in the midst of a historic building boom, and as a result, Construction Code Services Inspectors are hopping. But not everyone knows exactly what inspectors do. So here it is, in a nutshell. Once a project has been approved and permits are issued, the inspection team visits the site to ensure that safe and appropriate structures are being built; inspecting the foundation and footings followed by framing, insulation, plumbing and mechanical installation, roofing, to the final inspection and completion of the project. 

Every boom comes with challenges, however, and this one is no exception.  Complaints from frustrated neighbors of construction sites surged regarding excavations without proper shoring, debris on boulevards and adjacent properties, and contractors working after hours.  The Minneapolis Residential Construction Management Agreement (CMA) was created to address and minimize issues felt by neighbors.  While the focus of CCS is on the structure itself, two inspectors have been assigned to help enforce the agreement and to ensure compliance with a goal of decreasing complaints.  We are happy to report, we are seeing success! (See related story below in "Trends.")

Trends

The (Construction Management Agreement) Enforcers

by Julie Biesemeier

Marlene Bach and Vicki Carey are the two inspectors mentioned in the article above resolving negative impact concerns that are outlined in the new Residential Construction Management Agreement. With the goal of ensuring and maintaining a safe and nuisance free job site, they focus on issues like shoring the ground around foundations, foundation height, orderly job sites, use of sidewalks and boulevards, overflowing dumpsters, and building to approved plans.  Both are Minnesota Certified Building Officials and ICC (International Code Council) Certified Building Inspectors holding numerous other certifications and qualifications. Vicki was one of the first in the City to obtain LEED AP (Leadership in Energy Efficient Design, Accredited Professional) qualification and is an IAPMO (International Association of Plumbing and Mechanical Officials) Mechanical Inspector and Minnesota Energy Auditor.  Marlene has a degree in Building Inspection Science, 10 years of experience designing plumbing and heating systems and more than 4 years as Zoning Coordinator for the City of Duluth. Together, they have over 20 years of experience with the City.  

Updates & Outcomes

DC Group Invests $7 Million in North Mpls

On May 29, the DC Group held a ceremonial groundbreaking event on their nearly $7 million building expansion/renovation project at 1977 West River Road in North Minneapolis. Founded in Minneapolis in 1969, DC Group is one of the nation’s largest providers of maintenance and repair service to users of uninterruptible power systems, such as government, hospitals and critical data centers.  The renovation will include approximately 15,000 square feet of the existing facility and construction of an additional 23,500 square feet of new space along with an 86-stall parking structure.  

Among other funding sources used to finance the project, DC Group became the first recipient of the City of Minneapolis' Grow North funding through this project.  Grow North focuses on connecting North Minneapolis residents with jobs created by new and expanding North Minneapolis companies, offering forgivable loans of up to $200,000 to businesses locating or expanding in North Minneapolis which provide at least 15 jobs to local residents.  To fulfill their loan requirement, DC Group is currently working with Marie Larson in Minneapolis Employment and Training to promote their job openings.

Broadway Flats Apartments Aims to Replace North Minneapolis Housing Lost to Tornado

by Tiffany Glasper

Steve Minn of Lupe Development Partners and Dean Rose, owner of Broadway Liquor Outlet, have joined forces to create Broadway Flats, LLP for the purposes of redeveloping the northwest corner of the Penn-Broadway intersection. This location was the epicenter of the May 2011 tornado that destroyed hundreds of housing units and many businesses including Broadway Liquor Outlet.

The project site consists of nine individual parcels of land, six owned by the City, two owned by the developer and one for which the developer has a purchase agreement.

The development is proposed to include 103 affordable rental units, 19,000 square feet of commercial space, underground parking, shared surface parking and numerous pedestrian amenities.

Broadway Liquor Outlet will relocate to this new space and become the anchor tenant. The Rose family’s willingness to invest beyond just their own interests is a testament to their longtime dedication to the community. This project has strong support from Council Member Blong Yang, West Broadway Business and Area Coalition, and Jordan Area Community Council.

The total project costs are currently estimated at just under $24 million and we hope to break ground in the spring of 2015.

New Artwork Brings Neighborhoods Together

by Mary Altman

“In a sea of concrete [this design will] bring life and light and color to the community and people who live there and pass by every day.” - June Community Event Attendee 

On June 19, the John Bigger’s Seed Project partners and artists unveiled a design for a new gateway and artwork to be located at the bridge along Olson Memorial Highway crossing Interstate 94. The location, currently an industrial corridor unfriendly to pedestrians, is an important connection between the Northside and Downtown. The design features a shared gateway that brings neighborhoods together and celebrates the history and community of Minneapolis’ Northside. The work will be created in porcelain enamel, a medium selected for its creative potential and durability. The entire process, including construction of a kiln for the project, is being coordinated by the Chicago Avenue Fire Arts Center. 

A major emphasis of this groundbreaking project is to support the development of the next generation of African American public artists. Thirteen emerging and mid-career artists are engaged in the design and fabrication of this work of art as well as a two-year professional development program to learn the skills needed to embark on successful careers.

Learn more

Technology, Information & Innovation

Keeping the M Drive Clean is Smart and Simple 

One of the challenges associated with cleaning our old files is how to begin the daunting task of knowing where and how to look for old or redundant files. Now, with the help of some basic queries, you can easily list some of the larger files specific to your business lines, determine their value and delete them if you choose. Below, you will find a list of links. Each link will list all M: drive files larger than 5 Mb for that specific business line. Simply click the link and wait for the list to generate. 

To Recap: 

1. Click the link associated with your general business line.
2. Wait for the file list to generate. Depending on the number of files, this may take a few moments.
3. Look for those files that appear redundant or have the same file size.
4. Delete those files that are not needed or are redundant.
5. You will only be able to delete from folders in which you have authorized access.

CPED M: Drive Files Larger than 5 MB:

• CPED – Planning Folder
• Development Services – Administration
• Development Services – Business Licensing
• Development Services – CCS
• Development Services – Development Review
• Economic Policy & Development – Business Development
• Economic Policy & Development – ED Common
• Economic Policy & Development – METP
• Housing – Multi-family
• Housing - Single-family
• Housing – Real Estate-Legal
• Long Range Planning
• Operations

Please do your part to keep our files and server clean and efficient. 
If you have any questions, contact Ed Daley x5107.

ELMS is Driving Change and Improvements

by Connie Perila

The Enterprise Land Management System (ELMS) is more than just a replacement of outdated business applications. The ELMS project presents the City with a unique opportunity to review how we do our work.  We can analyze existing business processes, streamline and enhance them before they are configured into the new system.  This way they are configured the most efficient way possible. 

So, now is the time to review and develop new and enhanced workflows to ensure optimal effectiveness of the ELMS system and our CPED and cross department operations.  If you have a suggestion on a work process that ELMS will touch, speak to a project team member today.

Project Status Update

Scope 1 of the ELMS project wrapped up earlier this month. The following application types have been configured and tested by key business users in Health, CPED and PW: After Hours, Soil Erosion, Street Use, Mechanical, Plumbing, Residential Building, Site Alteration, Water Tap, Sewer Tap, and Sidewalk.  Interfaces to COMPASS, Master Addressing, and GIS were also developed in Scope 1.  

Scope 2 plans will start July 7.  Plans include the design and configuration of 36 additional application types, implementation of four product installations: Billing, Electronic Plan Review, Mobile, and Portal interface to the public, additional interfaces to HRIS employee index, Govern, and ECMS. Go live of scope 1 and 2 is planned for May 2015. 

Scope 3 includes additional application types and interfaces.  It will conclude with the entire system going live in early 2016.

See complete project Implementation Timeline on the ELMS CityTalk website.

Ongoing Updates

The ELMS Website is updated every week. Visit it regularly for project news.

Employee Profile

Al Olson

Al Olson is the Manager of Inspections for Construction Code Services (CCS). After receiving a degree in criminal justice, and not finding immediate work, Al accepted his father’s offer of working in the construction field. He enjoyed work as a carpenter, and after 10 years’ experience, became a building inspector.  Now as the Inspections Manager of CCS, Al supports five district supervisors, makes sure his thirty-nine inspectors have what they need to do their jobs, and responds to catastrophic events. As a matter of fact, Al and his team have been recognized for their outstanding work in assisting with disaster response statewide. Al say’s the best part of his job is working with a great group of people and Minneapolis residents. Al began his career with the City of Minneapolis in 1988.

In his free time, Al enjoys spending time with his family and duck hunting in the fall. 

Intern Profile

Ethan Lassiter

Ethan Lassiter is an intern with the Long Range Planning Division this summer working on implementation strategies for the Prospect Park North area and Upper Harbor Terminal site.  Ethan says having landed an internship with CPED is one of his top achievements. Starting as a STEP-UP Intern with Metro Transit, Ethan says the professional communication skills he learned were instrumental to his academic success and subsequent internships.

Ethan discovered his interest in urban planning in eighth grade and hasn’t veered off course since. He says the inspiration comes from learning about and wanting to close the educational gap in high school, the video game SimCity, his parents and music, including rap. Ethan believes urban planning is the most efficient way to improve the city and close the educational gap. 

Ethan will complete his master’s degree at Harvard University next year and pursue his dream as an urban planner.

When he gets the chance, Ethan enjoys playing soccer and dancing (especially salsa). 

Bryant & Central Neighborhoods Finally Get a Grocery Store

by Edie Oliveto-Oates

The Bryant and Central Neighborhoods have been working together for several years to incorporate a much needed grocery store.  Finally, the search is over and a grocery store will be moving into a site near 38th and Clinton Avenue South.  The assemblage of the site required the purchase of several single family homes.  The Bryant Neighborhood approached the City and requested that we evaluate the four homes and determine if any of them could be moved to other locations in either Central or Bryant.  The City engaged Greater Metropolitan Housing Corporation (GMHC) to assist in determining the feasibility of moving any or all of the homes.  It was determined that three of the homes were possible candidates.  The next challenge was to identify lots within a reasonable distance to move the houses to.  Five lots were identified, three were City owned, one was owned by Minneapolis Public Housing and one was owned by Hennepin County.  The house movers looked at all of the lots and eliminated several of them.  In addition, GMHC prepared a preliminary proforma for the house move and the rehabilitation of the homes.  Based upon those numbers it was determined that two of the houses were feasible to move.  The City Council approved selling two lots to GMHC for the house moves and one lot for development of a new owner occupied single family home that will be sold to a low income household. 

This has been an exciting win-win project to accomplish the development of a long awaited grocery store to serve these two neighborhoods and save two existing homes.  

Diversity Dialogues

This past month, 60 CPED staff members participated in the “Uncovering 5 Myths that Support Racism” dialogues sponsored by CPED’s Diversity Committee and the YWCA. 

In this dialogue, participants look critically at cultural beliefs and myths that perpetuate racism. Our facilitator, Sarah Super did an excellent job in creating a safe, respectful and open environment. These conversations can be challenging but the staff who participated felt comfortable in expressing their views and emotions in such a warm and inclusive environment.

Miles Mercer, a participant in one of the dialogues remarked “This topic is important for our department’s and our City’s work. We were able to have an open and thoughtful discussion.” 

Another participant, Kylie Patterson agreed, saying “The Diversity Dialogue provided a great opportunity to reflect on ways in which we interact with each other and the public at large.”

The Diversity Committee welcomes your ideas for new opportunities for staff to come together to discuss issues related to racial equity.

New Hires, Promotions, & Retirements

New Hires

Shalaunda Holmes, Senior Project Coordinator 

Roxanne Young Kimball, Senior Project Coordinator

Promotions

Craig Eliason to Supervisor

John Smoley to Senior Planner

*Additions/corrections? Please send to Dorothea Martti.

Thank You!!!

A big thank you to everyone who participated in the 2nd Annual CPED Picnic. We had a great turnout and a wonderful assortment of delicious food brought by all of you!  

An extra special thank you goes out to Dorothea Martti - Picnic Coordinator, Bob Lind and Wes Butler for volunteering to be the grill masters, and Julie Biesemeier, Casey Dzieweczynski, and Anne Rolandelli for helping the Operations Team with set-up/clean up!