City administrator schedules contractor meeting as new inspection firm begins plan reviews

City Administrator Kerwin told the council that the city’s new inspection contractor, IBTS, has begun reviewing several recently submitted projects and that staff will invite local contractors to a feedback meeting on June 12.

“We would like to set a meeting, for a week from this Thursday, so that would be the June 12, to solicit additional feedback from the contractors,” Kerwin said, describing the meeting as a forum to collect questions and concerns about inspection and plan-review procedures under the new contract.

Kerwin said the switch to IBTS has already resulted in plan-review activity: the college submitted plans to rehab the old West Ranch building for use as a dormitory, and Mallory Place — the apartment complex across from the high school — recently completed a plan review ahead of a major renovation. Kerwin said the Vest Street housing proposal remains under review; stormwater drawings were “mostly done but not complete,” and an applicant had indicated that a different engineer would rework those plans before resubmission.

Kerwin told council members that staff have heard both questions and frustrations from contractors who visit City Hall and that the June 12 meeting will be advertised publicly. City staff emphasized the meeting is intended to be an information-gathering session, not a regulatory hearing; Kerwin said IBTS may or may not attend.

Council members asked whether the city had received feedback from contractors since IBTS began work. Kerwin said he had received informal reports and that plan reviews for larger projects have already been processed since the contract began. He asked staff to finalize meeting logistics and circulate the time and location.

No formal council action was taken on development projects at the meeting; staff said plan submissions remain under review and that larger projects will return to council as required by subdivision and permitting rules.