Kober calls for more inspections

By FRITZ BUSCH

Journal Staff Writer

SLEEPY EYE -- Sleepy Eye City Manager Mark Kober told the City Council Tuesday night that the city is not in compliance with state laws requiring demolition and mechanical inspections.

"Mechanical inspections should be done by us, and we aren't doing them," Kober said. "State laws changed two years ago, requiring more inspections, and we haven't caught up yet."

Kober said the city also needs to do more building demolition inspections especially since it could be found liable. He urged the city to require more home repair inspections because some residents spent thousands of dollars on siding and window repairs that were improperly done.

"We've got people coming to town without certification or standards. People deserve to have the work done properly," Kober said. "Inspections are protection for folks paying for services."

Councilor Harry Windschitl countered that the city would have to hire a full-time inspector if it did more inspections.

Kober disagreed. He said he will come up with a list of inspection and fee recommendations at a comprehensive planning meeting set for 6-8 p.m. Feb. 21 in the council chambers.

In other action, the council:

* Unanimously approved the purchase of new $94,123 Life Line ambulance. The Life Line bid was higher than the other bidders, but there were no specification exceptions.

The Ambulance Committee said the Life Line ambulance quality and workmanship far exceeded that of other bidding companies. The bid amount included a $5,000 trade-in allowance for a 1989 Life Line Ambulance with 100,000 miles on it. The new ambulance, built on a Ford chassis, should be delivered within 90-120 days.

* Heard from Councilor Gary Windschitl who questioned library snow removal costs.

Kober said he would look into the possibility of having city workers remove snow around the library.

* Councilor Harry Windschitl said he heard several complaints about unshoveled snow.

Kober said the city ordinance does not go into effect until 48 hours after the last snowfall. Windschitl said a new snow shoveling ordinance should be considered at the city comprehensive planning meeting.

"We're awful lax on the sidewalks," Windschitl said. "We could be liable."

Kober said property owners were responsible for shoveling sidewalk snow.

Windschitl said some unshoveled sidewalks were on city property.