Interim Inspector Considered Inspectors Injured, So Cda May Award Private Building Inspection Contract

The City Council tonight will consider awarding a two-month, $5,000 building inspection contract to an architectural firm owned by a city planning commissioner.

Two city building inspectors are out with injuries, leading the city to seek a temporary contract with a private firm to inspect new buildings.

The city is considering paying $2,500 per month to G.D. Longwell Architects, which in turn would supply a $13.20-per-hour private inspector to the city during September and October.

Gordon Longwell is a city planning commissioner.

The plan was not put out for bid because Idaho law does not require that for personnel contracts, said city Finance Director John Austin.

“We do business with all the engineering firms,” Austin said.

“If it was awarded to just about anybody, they would have had a relationship with the city at some point.”

City building chief Mike Jacobs did check with other firms to see if they had someone available to do the temporary work, according to his boss, Public Works Director Rodger Lewerenz.

“I can’t tell you the names of everyone we went to, but we went out into the community looking,” Lewerenz said.

, DataTimes MEMO: This sidebar appeared with the story: MEETING The council will meet tonight at 7 in City Hall.