Winter 2020-21 Hometown Messenger

News from the City of Shakopee | Winter 2021 Messenger Hometown

CITY NEWSLETTER Building Inspections Mayor's Message City Calendar Elections 2020 Shakopee Librarian Retires Best Places to Live A Look Back Safe Care Campaign Parks and Recreation AsktheCity: Reservations Planning and Development Rev. Pond Statue County Highway 83 Project IACP Leadership Award Chief's Notes

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This year, Shakopee Building Inspector Jim Davis has spent a lot of time traversing the city. Davis spends most of his day in the field, inspecting water heaters, roof trusses and backyard decks – typically conducting more than 20 inspections a day. “I know pretty much every street in Shakopee, and I know the shortcuts,” said Davis, who has been a Shakopee building inspector since 1998. The city is on pace to break record permit numbers in 2020 thanks to a flux of new homes, ongoing commercial developments and residential remodeling projects from people stuck at home due to COVID-19. “It’s definitely been busier [than normal],” said Shakopee Building Official Nathan Buska. “I’m guessing it has to do with a lot of people staying home and just looking to stay busy.” ENSURING PUBLIC SAFETY Like police and fire, building inspections is a critical public safety service to protect the health and safety of residents, employees and visitors. Building inspectors review building, mechanical, electrical and plumbing work before, during and after installation to ensure it complies with state building code. This includes reviewing architectural and engineering plans prior to issuing building permits. “Our job is to ensure contractors are building safe, solid structures that meet state building code,” Buska said. “We have seven different building manuals we need to know inside and out to properly inspect Shakopee buildings.” Inspectors at work City's building inspections division on pace to set permit, inspection records in 2020 Building Inspector Jim Davis chats with a site contractor in the Ridge Creek development about a new home's ventilation system during a final inspection.

Cover Photo: City of Shakopee Building Inspector Jim Davis conducts a final inspection of a new home in the Ridge Creek Development in east Shakopee.

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