"Thomas Jefferson said a democracy is dependent on an informed citizenry. I don't care whether it sounds corny or not. It's the truth." -Jim Lehrer
Carefree Truth
Issue #1011, April 19, 2022
Issue #1011, April 19, 2022
Mayor Les Peterson noted that his office is in the middle of everything that goes on at Town Hall, so he is familiar with what goes on at the conference table and the copy machine. He is amazed at the volume and the quality of work that this small group can put through. The Mayor runs into people on the street who compliment him how well they were serviced by those who work for the Town of Carefree. He said he would be remiss not to take his hat off to each and every one of the staff for jobs well done and continuing to be well done. "Thank you all."
Gary Neiss introduced the Building Safety Division inspector, Mike Tibbett, who is one of the longest tenured employees of the Town of Carefree. Mr. Tibbett said he's starting his 23rd year. Mr. Neiss explained that there are a lot of complexities with the building code. Mr. Tibbett performs inspections, reviews plans, issues building permits, meets with developers, homeowners, contractors, and architects to resolve complex building code issues. He provides safeguards for the public and private property related to construction. He has great people skills that help deal with difficult issues and mitigate disputes.
Mr. Tibbett explained that The Building Safety Division conducts inspections and does plan reviews for all of the commercial and residential properties, and issues the building permits. He conducted 3,904 inspections over this course of the fiscal year (FY). The permitted construction projects added over 84,116 square feet and remodeled 15,670 square feet, at a total value of over $11.2 million. The Division also performed 1,298 site visits, 230 plan reviews, approved 17 new single family residences and 55 home remodels. It continues to inspect the Town Center developments of the Hampton Inn by Hilton and the new townhomes that are under construction.
The goals include the review and update of the permit fee schedule to ensure cost recovery for services rendered. Timely plans for reviews and inspections will be maintained. Options will be investigated for online permit applications, permits, paperless reviews, and payments. An updated version of the 2018 International Building Codes will be adopted. Up to 60 hours of continuing education will be accumulated to update his Professional Certificates.
Councilman Stephen Hatcher asked how long typical home inspections take to complete. Mr. Tibbett noted that the typical home in Carefree is 5 times larger than the typical home in Phoenix, so inspections can take up to 2 hours per inspection. Most homes under construction require roughly 20 visits per house. The Hampton Inn, slated to be a 12-16 month project, is into 2 years of construction and it will probably be another month before it's open. There have been over 300 "stops", not inspections, but "stops" there. He is onto his 5th page of Log-ins. A normal commercial project is 1 page.
Mr. Neiss noted that there are a lot of custom homes here, and every case is unique. A lot of older homes are undergoing significant remodels. Retrofitting them to today's Code is another challenge. Mr. Tibbett does an excellent job of facing those difficult issues and communicating sometimes complex issues to residents and contractors.
Councilman Vince D'Aliesio asked if there was anything that could be done to educate owners and contractors so that he is not running into the same violations. Mr. Tibbett explained that it works out much better when dealing with tract homes like Keystone where there is one contractor, but when there are 17 different homes with 17 different contractors, there is no good way to do that. He does have multiple handouts to help with providing that information. But there are also homeowners who act as their own contractors and don't have as much experience, which can create difficult issues. One such case had 1 stop in 4 inspections, and 35 items.
Vice Mayor John Crane noted that as the town is closer to build-out, many of the remaining lots are more challenging and the inspections are more difficult. So just looking at the numbers doesn't really tell the story.
Mr. Tibbett said he was somewhat shocked at the type of remodels he saw this year. There were fewer additions and more people who were gutting the whole house to update it.
Mr. Hatcher asked Mr. Tibbett if there were any resources that the Town could provide to facilitate his work. He could not think of any at that time, but said they do have a 3rd party that helps with inspections, which is a great help. Back in the day, he used to do all the plans, reviews, and inspections by himself, but now it is way too much for one person to do. Cave Creek has 4 people who do his job. They have more square miles, but as far as permits, they really don't do a whole lot more, number-wise, than Carefree does. Hiring another inspector was looked at, but it is cheaper to hire an independent contractor as needed than to have to pay for another truck and everything else.
https://vimeo.com/699308414
Gary Neiss noted that sometimes new people move into the community and bring thoughts and values that don't align with their neighbors. Dennis Randolf, the Code Enforcement Officer, is charged with enforcing many of the Codes Carefree has on the books and working through sometimes difficult issues with neighbors.
Mr. Randolf said he handles complaints through phone calls, emails, text messages, etc. He also acts as the bailiff at the Carefree/Cave Creek Consolidated Court. He processes business licenses and vendor certificates, and assists the front office. So far this fiscal year (FY), he has processed about 480 business licenses, over 450 vendor certificates. Erica Shumaker has added a feature to the Town website where people can use Google to streamline the licensing process.
He's conducted 298 investigations this FY, many of which are not a one time thing. He has worked on developing a system that tracks phone calls and emails when communicating with residents, to make sure he's still in line with the goal.
He's updating the Emergency Operations Manual and is working to get the Emergency Ops and Hazard Mitigation manuals up to speed. This was last done in 2014 and a lot of changes have occurred. The Hazard Mitigation protocols have been taken away from Maricopa County and given to the local jurisdictions, which he feels is good because the municipalities can determine their actions rather than being directed by others.
Mr. Randolf is working closely with Planning and Zoning to update Codes as needed. If he has questions, he can go to the Planning and the Building Departments for clarification. He can enforce the Codes more effectively when he understands the background and compliance requirements, and he can communicate the intent. The streamlined system will make it easier for others to look back on and understand actions he has taken.
Mayor Les Peterson asked about the largest and second largest cause of complaints. Mr. Randolf said the top 3 causes are parking, barking, and RVs. Vice Mayor Crane asked if the number of complaints has risen. Mr. Randolf said the numbers have remained pretty flat.
Councilman Stephen Hatcher asked if Mr. Randolf could be contacted on the Town's social media site. Mr. Randolf confirmed that he could. The Town website has his email address under Code Enforcement. It's always been there, but with the enhancements to the website, it's easier to find.
https://vimeo.com/699320576
Lyn Hitchon
Prepared by Carefree Truth
Copyrighted
Visit our website at www.carefreetruth2.com If you know anyone who would like to be added to the Carefree Truth email list, please have them contact me. Feel free to share Carefree Truth with others on your list.
Visit www.carefreeazbusinesses.com to see more info about businesses in Carefree. Please support our merchants.
Gary Neiss introduced the Building Safety Division inspector, Mike Tibbett, who is one of the longest tenured employees of the Town of Carefree. Mr. Tibbett said he's starting his 23rd year. Mr. Neiss explained that there are a lot of complexities with the building code. Mr. Tibbett performs inspections, reviews plans, issues building permits, meets with developers, homeowners, contractors, and architects to resolve complex building code issues. He provides safeguards for the public and private property related to construction. He has great people skills that help deal with difficult issues and mitigate disputes.
Mr. Tibbett explained that The Building Safety Division conducts inspections and does plan reviews for all of the commercial and residential properties, and issues the building permits. He conducted 3,904 inspections over this course of the fiscal year (FY). The permitted construction projects added over 84,116 square feet and remodeled 15,670 square feet, at a total value of over $11.2 million. The Division also performed 1,298 site visits, 230 plan reviews, approved 17 new single family residences and 55 home remodels. It continues to inspect the Town Center developments of the Hampton Inn by Hilton and the new townhomes that are under construction.
The goals include the review and update of the permit fee schedule to ensure cost recovery for services rendered. Timely plans for reviews and inspections will be maintained. Options will be investigated for online permit applications, permits, paperless reviews, and payments. An updated version of the 2018 International Building Codes will be adopted. Up to 60 hours of continuing education will be accumulated to update his Professional Certificates.
Councilman Stephen Hatcher asked how long typical home inspections take to complete. Mr. Tibbett noted that the typical home in Carefree is 5 times larger than the typical home in Phoenix, so inspections can take up to 2 hours per inspection. Most homes under construction require roughly 20 visits per house. The Hampton Inn, slated to be a 12-16 month project, is into 2 years of construction and it will probably be another month before it's open. There have been over 300 "stops", not inspections, but "stops" there. He is onto his 5th page of Log-ins. A normal commercial project is 1 page.
Mr. Neiss noted that there are a lot of custom homes here, and every case is unique. A lot of older homes are undergoing significant remodels. Retrofitting them to today's Code is another challenge. Mr. Tibbett does an excellent job of facing those difficult issues and communicating sometimes complex issues to residents and contractors.
Councilman Vince D'Aliesio asked if there was anything that could be done to educate owners and contractors so that he is not running into the same violations. Mr. Tibbett explained that it works out much better when dealing with tract homes like Keystone where there is one contractor, but when there are 17 different homes with 17 different contractors, there is no good way to do that. He does have multiple handouts to help with providing that information. But there are also homeowners who act as their own contractors and don't have as much experience, which can create difficult issues. One such case had 1 stop in 4 inspections, and 35 items.
Vice Mayor John Crane noted that as the town is closer to build-out, many of the remaining lots are more challenging and the inspections are more difficult. So just looking at the numbers doesn't really tell the story.
Mr. Tibbett said he was somewhat shocked at the type of remodels he saw this year. There were fewer additions and more people who were gutting the whole house to update it.
Mr. Hatcher asked Mr. Tibbett if there were any resources that the Town could provide to facilitate his work. He could not think of any at that time, but said they do have a 3rd party that helps with inspections, which is a great help. Back in the day, he used to do all the plans, reviews, and inspections by himself, but now it is way too much for one person to do. Cave Creek has 4 people who do his job. They have more square miles, but as far as permits, they really don't do a whole lot more, number-wise, than Carefree does. Hiring another inspector was looked at, but it is cheaper to hire an independent contractor as needed than to have to pay for another truck and everything else.
https://vimeo.com/699308414
Gary Neiss noted that sometimes new people move into the community and bring thoughts and values that don't align with their neighbors. Dennis Randolf, the Code Enforcement Officer, is charged with enforcing many of the Codes Carefree has on the books and working through sometimes difficult issues with neighbors.
Mr. Randolf said he handles complaints through phone calls, emails, text messages, etc. He also acts as the bailiff at the Carefree/Cave Creek Consolidated Court. He processes business licenses and vendor certificates, and assists the front office. So far this fiscal year (FY), he has processed about 480 business licenses, over 450 vendor certificates. Erica Shumaker has added a feature to the Town website where people can use Google to streamline the licensing process.
He's conducted 298 investigations this FY, many of which are not a one time thing. He has worked on developing a system that tracks phone calls and emails when communicating with residents, to make sure he's still in line with the goal.
He's updating the Emergency Operations Manual and is working to get the Emergency Ops and Hazard Mitigation manuals up to speed. This was last done in 2014 and a lot of changes have occurred. The Hazard Mitigation protocols have been taken away from Maricopa County and given to the local jurisdictions, which he feels is good because the municipalities can determine their actions rather than being directed by others.
Mr. Randolf is working closely with Planning and Zoning to update Codes as needed. If he has questions, he can go to the Planning and the Building Departments for clarification. He can enforce the Codes more effectively when he understands the background and compliance requirements, and he can communicate the intent. The streamlined system will make it easier for others to look back on and understand actions he has taken.
Mayor Les Peterson asked about the largest and second largest cause of complaints. Mr. Randolf said the top 3 causes are parking, barking, and RVs. Vice Mayor Crane asked if the number of complaints has risen. Mr. Randolf said the numbers have remained pretty flat.
Councilman Stephen Hatcher asked if Mr. Randolf could be contacted on the Town's social media site. Mr. Randolf confirmed that he could. The Town website has his email address under Code Enforcement. It's always been there, but with the enhancements to the website, it's easier to find.
https://vimeo.com/699320576
Lyn Hitchon
Prepared by Carefree Truth
Copyrighted
Visit our website at www.carefreetruth2.com If you know anyone who would like to be added to the Carefree Truth email list, please have them contact me. Feel free to share Carefree Truth with others on your list.
Visit www.carefreeazbusinesses.com to see more info about businesses in Carefree. Please support our merchants.