Metro Codes Department Presentation and Q&A - May 16, 2024
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Metro Codes Department Presentation and Q&A - May 16, 2024
The Metro Codes Department presented its operations and fiscal year 2025 budget to the council committee. Director Bill Herbert and Operational Director Byron Hall highlighted the department's core functions, performance metrics, and staffing updates. Council members asked questions and expressed support for the department's initiatives.
Discussion Items
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Budget and Revenue: The department expects to operate within the mayor's proposed operating budget without requesting additional full-time positions. Year-to-date revenue is over $25 million, with $29 million projected by fiscal year end. The department has issued over 12,000 building permits (approximately 60,000 total permits). Construction value of permits is projected to exceed $4 billion. The department also noted a newly executed multi-year demolition contract that will address abandoned or fire-damaged properties.
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Staffing and Vacancies: The department has 166 positions, up from 107 in 2000. Current vacancies are 17, a 50% reduction from 34 last year. A pay grade increase for inspection staff in July will aid recruitment and retention. The department has also added bilingual and multilingual staff and participates in a language access pilot program.
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COLA for Data Analyst: Councilmember Toombs asked about a $10,200 COLA increase for an ITS data analyst paid by the department. The department stated that if not included in the budget, it could be covered by salary savings.
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Customer Service Improvements: Electronic permitting is fully online, and customers can print alarm permits via the e-permit system. The department is developing a gas meter release program to streamline approvals. The rental vehicle program ensures inspectors have continuous access to vehicles, reducing downtime. The department expanded its partnership with Hub Nashville, assigning a dedicated hub cue manager for each division and hiring an internal coordinator. The language access pilot with Tennessee Language Center provides 24/7 interpreter and document translation services.
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Nighttime Inspectors: Councilmember Allen inquired about two property standards positions being transferred to the Nightlife director for nighttime code enforcement. The department confirmed noise and light meters will be provided to the new inspectors.
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State Law Changes: In response to a question about HB1892, the department stated it already allows third-party plan reviews and inspections. With a 1.5-day average turnaround time for inspections, no significant impact is expected.
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Demolition Fund: Councilmember Gamble asked about a $275,000 budget line for professional and purchase services. The department explained it recently executed a multi-year residential and commercial demolition contract, which will allow for more spending on demolitions.
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Vehicle Rental vs. Purchase: Chair Bradford inquired about the rental program's cost-effectiveness. The department noted that overall operating costs are not lower, but it reduces capital expenditures for General Services by providing newer vehicles and minimizing inspector downtime.
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COD System: Councilmember Allen asked about a new platform replacing CityWorks. The department deferred to ITS for planning, noting it will allow multiple departments to share development services information.
Key Outcomes
- No votes were taken; the presentation was informational and part of the budget process.
- Council members expressed appreciation for the department's performance, particularly in language access, electronic permitting, and filling vacancies.
- The department will continue to operate within existing resources and fill remaining vacancies.
- The new demolition contract and nighttime inspection program are set to be implemented.
Meeting Transcript
And Director Herbert, once we get everything uh set up, you are good to begin whenever you are ready. Thank you, Madam Chair. Appreciate uh everybody being here. Thank you very much. Okay, one moment. Let me try again. Will you try it now? Will you try the other mic? Test one. Oh, okay. You need to push the button on the mic to the right. There you go. Test one. We can hear you thank you, madam chair. Thank you, Council Members. I'm Bill Herbert. Thank you very much for being here. I'm the director of the Coach Department. I have with me uh tonight. Um on my right is operational director Byron Hall. On my left, I've got our assistant director and our budget analyst, Alicia Swan. In the back, I've got deputy director Brady Rich. I've got uh also in the back, I've got assistant director of a property standards Bill Penn, and I've got our public information manager, Will Dodd. I uh was the um codes director for a number of years, and then I took a sabbatical and went out into the private world. I was there for about two and a half years, and during that time, Byron Hall to my right was the uh director of the codes department, and under his capable leadership, um the coach department has has done well. I think that uh the fact that I've been back here for almost three months, not quite. I think that it's fitting and appropriate that Byron um take uh take the lead for uh our presentation tonight. So I'm gonna hand it over to Byron. Thank you, Bill. Thank you, madam chair. Good afternoon, everyone. We appreciate the opportunity to be here and speak. I want to start by saying that the COVID's department will be able to operate within the mayor's proposed operating budget. We will use existing resources to maintain the highest possible levels of service while moving forward with vital initiatives and programming. I'd like to take the opportunity to thank Kristen Wilson, Kevin Crombow and their teams. We certainly appreciate the support of the mayor's office and the finance department. I'd also like to take this time to thank the entire staff of the CODS department for their hard work and and continued dedication to keeping national buildings and neighborhoods safe. Their commitment certainly doesn't go unnoticed. Our core mission at the Codes Department is to issue construction and use-related permits and perform all safety-related inspections. Administer and enforce Title 16 of the Metropolitan Code relating to building construction and the exterior of properties. And this governs the use of properties as well as the size, height, and location of buildings on a on a piece of property. So this fiscal year to date, we've responded to over 42,000 building and property violation complaints submitted via hub phone and email and responded to countless inquiries regarding zoning and short-term rental uses. New ways and opportunities to innovate and improve our services. Customers can now print their own alarm permits through the city works and e-permit system. This eliminates wait time for customers. It streams line the work for staff and it improves the sustainability by reducing paper consumption. We continue to encourage our citizens to save money and time and pay online. I think that was our statement last year that everybody kind of laughed at. Our what they call it, or I forget the term they use, but save time and pay online. Our electrical divisions, the NES release program that we had instituted remains successful, and we've completed over 8,500 service releases this fiscal year.
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