Council approves inspector contract

For the last year, the Airway Heights building department has been seeking a full-time building inspector to help with the influx of commercial and residential developments sprouting in the city. The department has found their inspector — at least for a year anyways.

During its July 3 meeting, City Council approved a 12-month employment agreement with Michael Schelling, an International Building Code certified building inspector.

Schelling would receive all of the benefits a city inspector would get, but he will not be a part of the Local 270 employees union. City Manager Albert Tripp said the funding source for Schelling’s contract would be from the building department’s excess revenue.

“The department is in excess of over $90,000 and some of those were from one-time projects,” Tripp added.

At the end of the 12-month period, staff will perform needs assessment to determine if the department needs Schelling’s services. Depending on the assessment, his contract would be renewed or he would be converted to a full-time city employee.

Schelling will assist in building inspections and perform contract inspection services for the developments scheduled to open within the next 12-18 months, such as the Northern Quest Resort and Casino expansion — which will include its RV and cottage resort — and the Northern Heights apartment complex on the southwestern corner of Sixth Avenue and Garfield Street.

Schelling will also help the department with code enforcement. According to information provided by the city, the building department has received on average, two complaints per week — and as high as 3-5 — and that is not including phone calls and emails.

In the only other action item, council appointed Dave Malet as the alternate city representative to the Spokane Transit Authority Board. Councilwoman Aspen Monteleone is the current primary representative on the board and Malet would attend board meetings in her absence.

Al Stover can be reached at al@cheneyfreepress.com.