Quick Compromise Keeps Construction on Course in St. Michael

A quick meeting this morning in St. Michael potentially solved a big problem caused directly by the Minnesota state government shutdown. 

The city council approved , amending Chapter 151 of the City of St. Michael's code regarding electrical regulations.

Prior to the state shutdown, the city had been contracting with a state inspector to examine all electrical systems on residential and commercial instructions. 

"Once the shutdown happened," said Steve Bot, St. Michael Engineer and Assistant City Administrator, "those guys were gone." 

So the city used powers established in statute law and in the city code to create an electrical inspector position in St. Michael. 

It sounds easy enough, but there are a few snares. First, the approved inspector must be licenses in the state of Minnesota as a master or journeyman electrician. Second, several inspections on what little construction is going on St. Michael had already been arranged. But with those inspections stalled out, general contractors will now have to pull a city permit to get an inspection from this new city employee. 

"They should be able to get reimbursement from the state, once the shutdown is over," Bot said. 

The double-payment is a bigger problem for smaller projects, such as home renovations or electrical upgrades. 

"Places like Kwik Trip (which is under construction on the city's northeast side) won't really think twice about it. They'll pull it to keep the project on track."

The council voted 4-0 to approve the new position. Kevin Kasel was absent, out of town on business. 

Council woman Nadine Schoen, whose husband, Pat, owns Schoen Electric, did vote in the matter. There was no conflict, the council was advised, since Pat won't be the person hired as an inspector. 

Nadine said her husband's running into this issue around the metro.

"Other cities are scrambling to kind of do the same thing," she said. "It's tough for the guys who are getting work, because they want keep working." 

, for example, made the same move prior to the shutdown July 1. 

Albertville Hoping to Make an Appointment

Projects like remodeling at the and new housing are moving along fine, but could be held up in lieu of a budget agreement. 

“If the state shutdown goes longer than a couple weeks, construction will be halted in Albertville,” City Attorney Mike Couri explained.

There are a few houses being built as well as stores at the outlet mall that aren’t ready for inspection yet and will be soon. They must have this mandatory inspection prior to sheet rock, Couri added. 

Albertville building inspector Jon Sutherland suggested that the City of Albertville line someone up via an ordinance and start contracting with private inspectors to avoid any slowdown.

The council agreed, but did not set a timetable for that process.