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August 28, 2008

City continues talks of merging offices

By JOE LoTEMPLIO

PLATTSBURGH -- City councilors aired some differing viewpoints about merging the Building Inspector and Community Development offices.

While some believe a merger would cut down on duplication of some services and could save money, others feel the marketing of the city could suffer.

"We really need someone dedicated fulltime to community development," Councilor Timothy Carpenter (D-Ward 1) said at a meeting on the idea Tuesday night.

"I can't see someone doing community development parttime."

Under a plan being explored, the two departments would merge, and Building Inspector Richard Perry would oversee duties for both.

Perry said a merger could work if the city totally restructures the two departments.

He said an employee in the Community Development Office is certified to do building inspections and can help with those duties, and the Fire Department might be able to do fire protection and prevention duties.

The Fire Department turned over fire protection and prevention duties to the Building Inspector's office in 1988.

Fire Chief Paul Williams said the department could resume those duties, but it would have to be negotiated with the firefighters' union.

Perry said he has overseen more than $500 million in development in the city in his time as building inspector and often is involved with projects with Community Development staffers.

Also, Perry has been successful in recent years in luring and keeping several high-profile bass-fishing tournaments to the area.

Carpenter said the city needs someone to aggressively market the city on a full-time basis, and tending to Building Inspector duties as well as Community Development duties could hamper that.

Carol Garcia, an employee in the Community Development office, agreed.

"We need a cheerleader and someone to bring in grant money and to go out and get development," Garcia said.

The Community Development office has been without a manager since Rosemarie Schoonmaker retired last November.

Garcia said funding obtained through the Empire Zone helps pay for the operation of the office, and if Empire Zone programs are not paid attention to, funding could be missed out on.

City Engineer Kevin Farrington said the Community Development office was one of the most important departments in the city.

"Because it makes people want to come here and stay here," Farrington said.

Councilor Amy Valentine (D-Ward 5) said other communities have merged the two departments with success.

"We are at a time when we need to look at our costs and see where we can save," she said.

She said she felt that Perry could handle both duties.

"Rick's time spent in each department will be determined by what is going on, and that will shift from time to time," she said.

Councilor James Calnon (I-Ward 5), who chaired the meeting, said the council will continue to study the idea before making any decisions.

"We will take a look at the duties and see where there is some overlap and continue to sample opinions," he said.

E-mail Joe LoTemplio at:

jlotemplio@pressrepublican.com

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