DULUTH, MN ~ February 21, 2008 ~ Mayor Don Ness and Fire Chief John Strongitharm have announced a re-organization of the City’s Building Safety division.Beginning Monday, February 25, Deputy Fire Chief Bryan Bushey will assume on-site management responsibilities for the division, with Building Official Duane Lasley moving to duties more directly related to building code enforcement.  Despite ongoing efforts for improvement, significant issues within the division required a more comprehensive reform effort which will be undertaken during the next 90 days.

“Reform of the Building Safety Office is at the forefront of my efforts to improve service and accountability in city government,” Mayor Ness said.  “We are committed to a new management structure, process reform, new city ordinances, and technology that will help provide more timely and quality service to our customers.”

“Past efforts at reorganization haven’t been as successful as we had hoped they would be, or as successful as our customers expect,” Chief Strongitharm said.  “We hope that through a change in management structure and a top-to-bottom look at the operation through use of a process-reform consultant, we will provide the expected result of a customer-friendly, effective and efficient division that has reduced backlogs for plan review.  We will also maintain our currently high level of code review and code enforcement.”

In 2004 a citizen tax force made 25 recommendations, most of which were enacted.  However, a recent departmental review by Chief Strongitharm found issues in leadership, staff interaction, the plan review process and attendant service issues, policy development, technology problems, rental licensing inspections backlogs, and overall accountability.  The review also found that a more comprehensive approach to reform was needed focused on management changes, process reform, and an improved culture focused on customer service.

Chief Strongitharm said the action plan will involve ordinance changes to allow flexibility for the Fire Chief in management of the rental housing, solid waste and abandoned property ordinances.  The administration also plans to implement a new software system later this year which will improve communication between regulating departments and allow citizens to track plan review through a web-based program.

A progress report on this reform effort will be included in Mayor Ness’ 100-day State of the City address on April 25.