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The stimulus package includes funds for energy efficiency. Within three years the energy <br />code is going to be required statewide. <br />If the State were to mandate statewide adoption of the code, there would be a window of <br />opportunity where the State would give cities the opportunity to adopt it themselves, and <br />then turn it over to the counties. There will be some kind of warning. <br />Crow Wing County does not have the State Building Code. Brainerd, Baxter, Pine River, <br />Breezy Point, Crosby, Deerwood, Motley and Pillager do. <br />Mr. Habein stated that the contractors in Breezy Point are now in a situation where the <br />inspector is only available on weekends and that makes it difficult for the contractors. <br />If we didn't have our own staff member, we contracted out for the building official, how <br />do those relationships work from the cities stand point? Mr. Mealhouse stated that a <br />contract is worked out with an inspector. The City has to receive some of the Toney to <br />cover costs of meeting with people, initial applications, filing paperwork, taking money, <br />etc. If no permits are issued, there is no payment to the inspector. He is paid from the <br />permits. No taxes would need to be raised in order to have the building code. The cost is <br />passed on to the applicant. <br />Mr. Adams pointed out that the cost of a building permit is less than I% of the cost of the <br />building. If you are putting of a $300,000 home it would be worth the extra $2,500 or <br />$3,000 to have greater assurance that it was done to code. <br />Electrical inspections have been around forever. The electrical inspector is paid from <br />each permit. The permit went thru the State. The inspection fee was in the permit from <br />the State. <br />Mr. Mealhouse pointed put the same value house is going to have an interest rate' /4 to 3/8 <br />higher; 66m an underwriting standpoint, in areas that don't have the building code. A <br />certain value "comes with a property that is inspected through the process. The value is <br />greater than the amount paid for the permit or inspection. <br />Mr. Woog stated that there would be no decision tonight, but the adoption should be <br />revisited again. <br />Mr. Mealhouse stated there are fixed fees, set by the City, for small things, such as <br />roofing and water heaters. <br />A motion was made by Dean Williams, seconded by Bill Habein, to have this issue tabled <br />for five years. Money was spent on ink and paper for something that was pretty <br />unanimously decided not to do earlier. <br />Minutes <br />Pequot Lakes Planning Commission <br />April 16, 2009 <br />2 <br />