Mayor, Council Members Have Differing Views On Building Inspections

 

Glenwood Mayor Ron Kohn and some members of the council expressed differing views on the issue during a public administration committee meeting prior to the Sept. 25 meeting of the city council.

 

A proposal brought to the council in August would have approved a contract between the city and JDW Midwest for inspections and new construction compliance with the anticipated adoption of a building code ordinance in the coming weeks.

 

Kohn has stated he believes there is a need for a building code and inspections.

 

“I believe we should have a standard of how a building should be built,” Kohn said. “I would prefer putting things in place (before a building code ordinance is passed).”

 

Glenwood City Attorney Matt Woods advised the city to have an inspection process in place before a building ordinance is adopted.

 

Council members Laurie Smithers and Jeremy Rodman said they have more concerns about the condition of some of the city’s older buildings than those being newly constructed.

 

“The conversations I’ve had with businesses on the square, they don’t want it (inspections of new construction),” Smithers said. “They’re more concerned about the building next to them falling down.”

 

Rodman expressed concerns about the costs of hiring a private firm to conduct inspections for the city and also shared concerns about a need to address potential public safety issues with existing buildings and rental properties within the community. He suggested the city might look at creating incentives for “slumlords” to improve their properties.

 

“If a slumlord sees he can make money by improvements to his property, he might go for it,” Rodman said.

 

The council and mayor agreed to set up a work session to develop a strategic plan for the city that would address a building code policy.