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Greetings from Minnesota

February 10th, 2009 Leave a comment Go to comments

I’m in Brooklyn Park, MN teaching at the Region III Institute sponsored by the Association  of Minnesota Building Officials.  It’s always a well attended week long event and the hospitality is warm and friendly. (However, last time I taught at the Institute it was 20 below zero. It’s 50 degrees warmer today.)   I’ll be teaching two courses, Legal Aspects of Code Administration and Advanced Legal Aspects for Property Maintenance Inspectors.  At dinner tonight it was interesting hearing what folks in other parts of the country are experiencing regarding the economic downturn. Inspectors are now seeing a decline in commercial projects as well as residential.  Most new construction is stagnant (except in Fargo, N.D. which is doing pretty well so far).  Property maintenance is on everyone’s mind.  No one thinks this slow down will be over with soon.  I’ve noticed that even building officials are talking about property maintenance issues.  Cross-training is becoming important so building inspectors can do property maintenance inspections in order to justify keeping those positions in the budget.  I’ve been encouraging my clients to enact vacant building registry ordinances so that the police and fire departments know which buildings are empty and the code department has information on how many vacant buildings exist in a municipality.  I think it’s critical to have contact information on responsible parties for these buildings so when weeds get too high or the pipes burst and mold starts growing, the inspectors know who to call.  In my property maintenance class, I try to address these issues.

  1. barryinmn
    February 11th, 2009 at 19:54 | #1

    Hello Linda,

    It was a pleasure today to attend your training seminar on Advanced Legal Aspects for Property Maintenance Inspectors.

    I am the Building Official and Fire Marshal for a small municipality in the northern suburbs of Minneapolis, and am looking to present the IPMC to the City Council for consideration and hopefully adoption. The valuable information provided by you in your seminar was well presented with an excellant handout. I would highly recommend it to any inspectors looking to include property maintenance enforcement to their department.

    I was also wondering if you know of any model ordinance for the adoption of a vacant building registry ordinance?

    Again, thank you for the insightful seminar, and I look forward to maintaining an open means of communication for property maintenance enforcement through your website blog.

    • Linda Pieczynski
      February 18th, 2009 at 22:28 | #2

      Thanks for checking it out.

  2. Robert J. Schutz
    March 22nd, 2009 at 23:57 | #3

    Linda – It was terrific to cross Instructor paths again at the AMBO Region III Institute – I always, always find it beneficial to trade the real life experiences of participants from our various seminars.

    I especially want to thank you for the opportunity to review your newest book: “The Building Process Simplified – ” I found it accurate, highly informative, well organized and, best of all, very easy reading. Not only will it be a “must have” practical book for contractors and homeowners per the title, but I believe that the real-life experiences throughout your book make it valuable for code officials. Another winner, Linda!

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Contact Linda: lpiec@sbcglobal.net | 129 Maumell St., Hinsdale, IL 60521 | Phone: (630) 655-8783
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