EB 10-11 Buildings and Safety Environmental - Stamped
EB 10-11 Buildings and Safety Environmental - Stamped
EB 10-11 Buildings and Safety Environmental - Stamped
MISSION:
The Buildings and Safety Environmental Department is the city’s Environmental Affairs Department. BSE
safeguards public health, safety and welfare by enforcing construction, property maintenance, environmental
compliance and zoning codes, which will preserve and enhance property values and promote a quality of life to
make Detroit a preferred place to reside and conduct business.
AGENCY GOALS:
1. Assist with environmental compliance requirements of city departments.
2. Foster legislative and regulatory initiatives that will help the city meet its environmental objectives.
3. Ensure administration and enforcement of applicable building and zoning codes, and related federal, state, and
local laws and ordinances, to assure all structures within the City meet or exceed minimum standards.
4. Maintain the stability and safety of neighborhoods by enforcing the property maintenance code, Special Land
Use Conditions and other related ordinances.
5. Promote peace and safety of the general public by enforcing zoning codes, conditions and other relevant
regulations.
6. Reduce the number of vacant and dangerous structures within the City of Detroit.
7. Establish compliance of local businesses with federal, state and local laws, in order to promote a healthy local
economy.
AGENCY FINANCIAL SUMMARY:
ADMINISTRATION,
2010-11 LICENSES AND PERMITS,
2009-00PLAN REVIEW ACTIVITY
2010-11 INFORMATION
Increase
Requested Budget Recommended (Decrease)
$ -
ADMINISTRATION
City Appropriations $
ACTIVITY-
INFORMATION
$ 1,681,108 $ 1,681,108
27,263,194 Construction App 29,412,366 25,463,194 (3,949,172)
4,355,305 Grant Appropriations 4,689,408 4,600,000 (89,408)
$ 31,618,499 Total Appropriations $ 34,101,774 $ 31,744,302 $ (2,357,472)
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Organizational Vision
The Department will continue to assess the existing structure and workforce with the objectives of simplifying
administration, establishing strong management authority to make the necessary changes to the workforce
assignments, implementing employee training while developing clear defined job descriptions. The Department will
strive to achieve significant coordination, cross-training opportunities and improved efficiencies.
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CITY OF DETROIT
Buildings and Safety Environmental
Financial Detail by Appropriation and Organization
2009-10 2010-11 2010-11
Redbook Dept Final Mayor's
Administration Request Budget Rec
Administration and Licenses FTE AMOUNT FTE AMOUNT FTE AMOUNT
APPROPRIATION
ORGANIZATION
10814 - Administration and Licenses
130310 - Administration 17 $7,503,763 15 $7,329,609 15 $8,157,179
130312 - Plan Review 42 $2,216,687 42 $2,195,208 0 $0
130314 - Licenses and Permits 14 $1,219,917 14 $1,180,849 0 $0
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CITY OF DETROIT
Budget Development for FY 2010-2011
Appropriations - Summary Objects
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BUILDINGS AND SAFETY ENVIRONMENTAL (13)
The Mechanical/Electrical Division includes four inspection sections (elevators, boiler, electrical and mechanical)
responsible for the regulation of the design, installation, and maintenance of mechanical/electrical equipment. In
addition, the Examination Section is responsible for all testing of business and occupational licenses relating to the
operation of mechanical/electrical equipment. The Court Enforcement Section is responsible for ensuring
compliance of mechanical/electrical violations and abatement of consumer fraud through court activities.
The Housing/Plumbing Division conducts pre-sale inspections of one and two-family dwellings for housing
ordinance compliance. The Plumbing Section inspects and reviews plans for new construction, alterations and
renovations. This unit performs cross-connection inspections of water systems to ensure the prevention/elimination
of contamination in the potable water system.
The Buildings Division performs inspections of construction activities to ensure that structures meet approved
plans, and are in compliance with building codes and standards. In addition, the Buildings Division inspects
wrecking, signs and awnings; processes insurance escrow accounts for fire repair and complaints related to
construction activities; and issues certificates of occupancy.
The Zoning Unit processes, schedules and hears all Special Land Use requests including Conditional Land Uses
(permitted with approval uses), regulated uses, and controlled uses to ensure compatibility with applicable zoning
requirements. Activities include processing and verifying required neighborhood petitions, coordinating Site Plan
Review with Planning and Development, and reviewing proposals involving Industrial, Solid Waste, and Hazardous
Materials with several City Departments. This unit also works with the City Planning Commission and the Board of
Zoning Appeals on day-to-day zoning matters as well as updates and amendments to the Detroit Zoning Ordinance.
Additional responsibilities include preparation of formal zoning letters to approve or deny requested uses, defending
such decisions upon appeal and serving on Committees created to resolve zoning related issues of major events.
The Property Maintenance Division provides periodic inspections of all existing rental residential and commercial
structures to encourage property maintenance and the stabilization of neighborhoods by fighting blight. Property
owners found not in compliance with the current Property Maintenance and Zoning Codes are subject to tickets that
may result in litigation and possible fines levied by the Department of Administrative Hearings.
The Lead Program is a section of the Property Maintenance Division that has taken over the responsibility of
Elevated Blood Lead Level (EBLL) investigations from the Department of Health and Wellness. Ten inspectors
have been certified by the state of Michigan as EBLL investigators, and a team of five inspectors and one supervisor
from the Property Maintenance Division have been dedicated to this program.
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In addition the Property Maintenance Division is now enforcing the new Lead Ordinance and planning to enforce
the proposed Vacant Property Ordinance. Further, the Property Maintenance Division has taken on the Elevated
Blood Lead Level investigations previously performed by the Department of Health and Wellness.
The Housing and Plumbing Division is now offering online service for pre-sale inspections.
The Building Divisions are working with the Detroit Public Schools Bond Program to assume jurisdiction of the
permitting and inspection responsibilities from the State of Michigan. The Department is very excited to bring this
work resulting from the $500 billion dollar bond back to Detroit.
Since May 2009, Show Cause Hearings staff held investigations and hearings concerning 15 dangerous cabarets,
147 gas stations and over 80 restaurants. In 2009-10, the Department’s revenue increased by approximately
$500,000 due to code enforcement using the show cause process. After July 1, 2010, the Division will also be
responsible for dangerous building hearings in the demolition process.
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BUILDINGS AND SAFETY ENVIRONMENTAL (13)
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CITY OF DETROIT
Buildings and Safety Environmental
Financial Detail by Appropriation and Organization
2009-10 2010-11 2010-11
Redbook Dept Final Mayor's
Show Cause Hearings Request Budget Rec
Inspections FTE AMOUNT FTE AMOUNT FTE AMOUNT
APPROPRIATION
ORGANIZATION
10815 - Inspections
130013 - Show Cause Hearings 4 $361,840 4 $434,671 0 $0
130340 - Mechanical 59 $5,209,313 51 $4,839,995 51 $4,349,718
130345 - Housing\Inspections 35 $2,891,933 30 $2,475,049 30 $2,439,032
130346 - Buildings 34 $2,865,428 24 $2,088,014 24 $2,023,214
130347 - Zoning 4 $301,394 4 $284,996 4 $275,857
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CITY OF DETROIT
Budget Development for FY 2010-2011
Appropriations - Summary Objects
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BUILDINGS AND SAFETY ENVIRONMENTAL (13)
Currently migrating all dangerous building data from the IPDS system (Dos) to the Tidemark software application
used for other Department functions and eventually to become web based.
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BUILDINGS AND SAFETY ENVIRONMENTAL (13)
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CITY OF DETROIT
Building and Safety Environmental
Financial Detail by Appropriation and Organization
2009-10 2010-11 2010-11
Redbook Dept Final Mayor's
Demolition - Administration - B&SE Request Budget Rec
Demolition - B&SE FTE AMOUNT FTE AMOUNT FTE AMOUNT
APPROPRIATION
ORGANIZATION
10829 - Demolition - B&SE
130071 - Demolition - Administration - B&SE 31 $4,689,408 27 $4,355,305 30 $4,600,000
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CITY OF DETROIT
Budget Development for FY 2010-2011
Appropriations - Summary Objects
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BUILDINGS AND SAFETY ENVIRONMENTAL (13)
The Show Cause Hearing Division is also housed in this Activity. It is responsible for investigating complaints and
suspending or revoking business licenses, and/or land use permits for zoning or licensing violations set forth in the
City Code. Upon request, the licensee is entitled to a hearing at the Department to show cause for why a license or
land use permit should not be revoked or suspended.
Using enforcement through the Show Cause Division, the Business License Center obtained compliance from
almost all gas stations in the City of Detroit in that renewal cycle. The Business License Center is currently
processing renewals for junkyards, nightclubs and restaurants and expects the same level of compliance and increase
in revenue from collection of current and delinquent fees.
Developed a process with other departments, including, Police, Health, Crimes Against Property, Vice, that brought
clarity to the business license renewal process.
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BUILDINGS AND SAFETY ENVIRONMENTAL (13)
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CITY OF DETROIT
Buildings and Safety Environmental
Financial Detail by Appropriation and Organization
2009-10 2010-11 2010-11
Redbook Dept Final Mayor's
Business License Center Request Budget Rec
Business License Center FTE AMOUNT FTE AMOUNT FTE AMOUNT
APPROPRIATION
ORGANIZATION
12146 - Business License Center
130365 - Business License Center 0 $0 0 $0 15 $1,000,516
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CITY OF DETROIT
Budget Development for FY 2010-2011
Appropriations - Summary Objects
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BUILDINGS AND SAFETY ENVIRONMENTAL (13)
The Plan Review Division ensures that site and construction plans comply with all applicable ordinances and codes.
The professional and technical staff reviews the permit applications and plans for the proposed projects to verify
compliance with the City of Detroit Zoning Ordinance, Michigan Building Code, Michigan Residential Code,
Michigan Rehabilitation Code, Michigan Electrical Code, Michigan Mechanical Code, Michigan Plumbing Code,
International Fuel Gas Code, City Elevator Code and Boiler Code. The division also coordinates the plan reviews by
various other City Departments and Agencies such as Health, Water & Sewerage, City Engineering, Traffic
Engineering, Planning & Development, City Planning Commission and Fire Marshal for their reviews and
approvals. The division reviews and approves Building Permits, Sign Permits, Awning Permits, Canopy Permits,
Home Owner Electrical, Home Owner Mechanical, and Home Owner Plumbing Permits. They also perform Site
Plan Reviews, Compatibility Studies, Zoning verifications and process Zoning variance requests.
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BUILDINGS AND SAFETY ENVIRONMENTAL (13)
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CITY OF DETROIT
Building and Safety Environmental
Financial Detail by Appropriation and Organization
2009-10 2010-11 2010-11
Redbook Dept Final Mayor's
Permits Request Budget Rec
Planning and Permitting FTE AMOUNT FTE AMOUNT FTE AMOUNT
APPROPRIATION
ORGANIZATION
13162 - Planning and Permitting
130375 - Permits 0 $0 0 $0 14 $1,779,506
130376 - Plan Review 0 $0 0 $0 31 $1,142,978
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CITY OF DETROIT
Budget Development for FY 2010-2011
Appropriations - Summary Objects
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BUILDINGS AND SAFETY ENVIRONMENTAL (13)
During FY2009-10, DEA enhanced its brownfield redevelopment activities by developing a new category of
environmental assessments called “historical review”. This category permits an environmental investigation of
residential properties which may not typically be considered as a facility due to their historical use. Considering the
frequency of illegal dumping of contaminated soils and other waste products onto vacant residential properties, DEA
determined that to properly protect residents in the city it was necessary to conduct historical reviews on residential
properties. The historical review is now commonly used by DEA and has been adopted by the Michigan
Department of Environmental Quality for use in other areas of the state. Furthermore, the cost for providing a
historical review is significantly less expensive than that of a full scale assessment and provides a level of comfort
by identifying the site’s historical use.
Additionally, DEA expanded its GIS system by incorporating data garnered through its partnerships with the
Michigan Department of Environmental Quality (MDEQ) and Michigan Land Bank Fast Track Authority (MLBFT).
After conducting over three thousand (3,000) historical reviews and site assessments in the Far Eastside Project area
of Detroit’s blighted east side neighboring the affluent Grosse Pointe communities, DEA has helped to facilitate the
redevelopment and restoration of a once prominent neighborhood. Utilizing its GIS database, DEA has changed
how Brownfield properties are addressed by interested parties (i.e., planners, developers, etc.), and how property
information is received and stored (i.e., electronically), and utilized (i.e., preliminary risk assessments). This
technology offers DEA an opportunity to provide environmental data, at a glance, to potential developers seeking to
identify parcels of land for development in the city and provides land owners an opportunity to characterize and
store the results of the characterization in a single database. The importance of the GIS database is also considered
vital, as time is saved in having existing data on hand in order to understand site impediments.
As the State of Michigan and the city of Detroit move toward integrating more Green and Sustainable Initiatives into
their programs and operations, the Environmental Affairs Directors were appointed by Governor Jennifer Granholm
to serve on the Michigan Climate Action Council (MCAC). The charge of the MCAC was to produce a Greenhouse
Gas (GHG) emissions inventory and forecast, compiling a comprehensive Climate Action Plan with recommended
GHG reduction goals and potential actions to mitigate climate change in various sectors of the economy, and
advising state and local governments on measures to address climate change. The research and deliberations of the
MCAC began in FY 2008 and final recommendations were approved by Governor Granholm in March 2009. The
recommendations are currently being integrated into State of Michigan policy.
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DEA also served on the State of Michigan’s Environmental Advisory Council (EAC) to assist the Michigan
Department of Environmental Quality’s executive staff in refining its environmental Guidance Documents which
describe how the agency interprets environmental statutes and rules. The new Guidance Documents also provide a
better understanding of MDEQ’s interpretations so that compliance is more easily attained. The EAC also served as
a platform to discuss the regulation changes within the agency, as well as the most efficient way to deliver the
required services. The opportunity for the City of Detroit to be a part of these two committees was paramount in
making sure that Detroit’s voice was heard during these rule changes.
DEA transitioned the Solid Waste Management and Code Enforcements functions to the Department of Public
Works during this fiscal year. The department has continued to support those activities as needed.
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BUILDINGS AND SAFETY ENVIRONMENTAL (13)
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CITY OF DETROIT
Building and Safety Environmental
Financial Detail by Appropriation and Organization
2009-10 2010-11 2010-11
Redbook Dept Final Mayor's
Environmental Affairs Department Request Budget Rec
Environmental Affairs Department FTE AMOUNT FTE AMOUNT FTE AMOUNT
APPROPRIATION
ORGANIZATION
13161 - Environmental Affairs Department
130370 - Environmental Affairs Department 0 $0 0 $0 7 $680,592
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CITY OF DETROIT
Budget Development for FY 2010-2011
Appropriations - Summary Objects
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CITY OF DETROIT
Budget Development for FY 2010-2011
Appropriation Summary - Revenues
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CITY OF DETROIT
Budget Development for FY 2010-2011
Appropriation Summary - Revenues
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CITY OF DETROIT
MAYOR'S 2010-2011 RECOMMENDED BUDGET
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CITY OF DETROIT
MAYOR'S 2010-2011 RECOMMENDED BUDGET
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CITY OF DETROIT
MAYOR'S 2010-2011 RECOMMENDED BUDGET
10815 - Inspections
130340 - Mechanical
Licenses Examiner - Mechanical 1 1 1
Admin Sprv - License & Permit 1 1 1
Principal Clerk 1 1 1
Senior Clerk 2 2 2
Office Assistant III 3 3 3
Office Assistant II 4 2 2
Clerk 2 0 0
Total Mechanical 59 51 51
130345 - Housing\Inspections
Chief Housing & Plumbing Insp 1 1 1
Sprv Plumbing Inspector 1 1 1
Supervising Bldg Inspector 1 1 1
Plumbing Inspector 11 9 9
Building Inspector 11 10 10
Principal Clerk 1 1 1
Office Assistant III 1 1 1
Senior Clerk 2 2 2
Office Assistant II 3 1 1
Clerk 3 3 3
Total Housing\Inspections 35 30 30
130346 - Buildings
Chief of Building Inspections 1 1 1
Supervising Bldg Inspector 2 2 2
Building Inspector 19 13 13
Office Management Assistant 1 1 1
Sr Information Technician 1 1 1
Information Technician 1 1 1
Senior Clerk 2 2 2
Office Assistant III 2 2 2
Office Assistant II 3 0 0
Clerk 2 0 0
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CITY OF DETROIT
MAYOR'S 2010-2011 RECOMMENDED BUDGET
10815 - Inspections
130346 - Buildings
General Manager-Bldg & Safety 0 1 1
Total Buildings 34 24 24
130347 - Zoning
Manager I - Bldgs & Safety Env 1 1 1
Building Inspector 1 1 1
Inter City Planner - Design 1 1 1
Office Assistant III 1 1 1
Total Zoning 4 4 4
Total Inspections 136 113 109
10829 - Demolition - B&SE
130071 - Demolition - Administration - B&SE
General Manager-Bldg & Safety 1 1 0
Supervising Bldg Inspector 2 2 2
Building Inspector 8 6 10
Admin Asst GD III 1 1 1
Supervising Title Searcher 1 0 0
Asst Chief - Bldg Inspections 1 0 0
Principal Clerk 1 1 1
Office Assistant III 3 3 3
Title Searcher 4 3 3
Office Assistant II 8 8 8
Clerk 1 1 1
Manager I - Bldgs & Safety Env 0 1 1
Total Demolition - Administration - B&SE 31 27 30
Total Demolition - B&SE 31 27 30
11110 - Property Maintenance Enforcement
130320 - Property Maintenance Enforcemen
Chief of Prop Maint & Municipa 1 1 1
Asst Chief-Housing & Plum Insp 1 1 1
Supervising Bldg Inspector 5 5 4
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CITY OF DETROIT
MAYOR'S 2010-2011 RECOMMENDED BUDGET
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CITY OF DETROIT
MAYOR'S 2010-2011 RECOMMENDED BUDGET
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CITY OF DETROIT
MAYOR'S 2010-2011 RECOMMENDED BUDGET
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