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MIS: CLAIRE/IRA TO SUPPORT SB 1853 AND OPPOSE AB 2081 AND INSTRUCT THE MAYOR TO WRITE TO THE CITY'S STATE LEGISLATORS TO THAT EFFECT - CARRIED BY UNANIMOUS VOICE VOTE OF MEMBERS PRESENT. MINUTE ORDER NO. 98-117 n_n________n___--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 6. PUBLIC HEARINGS None -----------------______n______------------------------------------------------------------------------------n_n______--- 7. MATTERS OF COUNCIL INTEREST This item limited to fifteen minutes. A. Presentation by SAMCEDA - Permit Streamlining; (604) Dennis Pantano, Pantano Properties, representing SAMCAR, provided background on the permit streamlining initiative. He said that in 1995 five members of the community came together to develop a better permit system for all parties concerned - the government, - citizens, building officials, planners and others. Mr. Pantano said there are now sixteen cities actively participating in the permit streamlining process as well as County officials and private building organizations. He said the project was led by Redwood City Building and Inspections Manager John LaTorra who had worked tirelessly with this group in changing how things are done on the Peninsula. Mr. Pantano said the committee was concerned with efficiency and was trying to "get everyone on the same page," literally. He described how the committee worked with Warren Slocum, County Assessor, in opening up the County's permit files to get all the permit history necessary for efficient processing. He said this had helped realtors, prevented law suits, made happier customers, everyone was now more informed and more professional, and the City can give rnore accurate information and better customer service. Tom Thompson, W.L. Butler Construction Company, representing SAMCEDA, provided an example of how difficult it was to do construction projects when jurisdictions had different building and construction codes. He said people who want to do small construction jobs can get lost in the system. Mr. Thompson said, "I hate to say this because I am on the Board of Building and Permit Appeals for the County. .. but that is the reason people don't go get building permits in the first place." He said the process needed to be uniform and standardized, and everyone truly needed to be on the same page. Mr. Thompson said an efficient system would result in less hassle and fewer costs to the City, people will get more permits with more revenue corning into the City, and better - enforceability. Mr. Thompson praised the City's Building Department and John LaTorra REGULAR COUNCIL MEETING MINUTE BOOK NO. 56 MAY 11,1998 MINUTES Page No. 455 PAGE 6