City takes a look at Energy use
The City of St. Louis Park takes saving energy seriously. With costs on the rise, the city this fall will conduct a comprehensive audit of its energy use in all buildings and operations. The idea for such an audit came from a Vision St. Louis Park task force related to environmental issues.
City staff recommended the analysis to the St. Louis Park City Council earlier this year. Council members endorsed the concept, so a study will take place this fall. Brian Hoffman, Director of Inspections, said the audit will look closely at the city’s existing energy use, in addition to examining all possible cost cutting measures and the potential of using alternative energy sources. Everything from streetlights to fuel use to heating and cooling methods will be assessed. Recommendations will come back to the City Council for possible action.
“We want to be good stewards of public funds and control costs wherever we can,” he said. “This will give us a baseline on energy use for all city operations and give us some priorities for the future.”
One step the city has already taken is to purchase three hybrid vehicles for use by the Inspections Department. Hoffman said the Ford Escape SUVs have saved on fuel costs, and another three are being added to the city fleet this fall.
print article
Inspections Department
The Inspections Department employs one part-time and 20 full-time staff members. The department employs inspectors with specialties in building, housing and health codes as well as service counter technicians and administrators.
This department is responsible for
- Issuing permits for construction (for .pdf permits, click here)
- Inspecting remodeling and new construction for compliance with the building, plumbing, mechanical and electrical system standards in the Minnesota State Building Code. In 2006, 8,563 permits were issued and 18,308 inspections were performed.
- Educating operators of food service institutions and swimming pools about applicable community health practices and inspecting these operations for compliance with the Minnesota Health Code
- Inspecting homes and commercial buildings prior to sale to ensure property in St. Louis Park is in good condition
- Licensing restaurants, hotels, dogs, tobacco sales and mechanical contractors
- Enforcing sections of the City Code relating to nuisances and zoning.
- Inspecting St. Louis Park's 7,000 multi-family rental units and 600 one and two family non-owner occupied units on a bi-annual schedule.
For more information on permits click here.
| Inspection Contact Information | |||
| Main | 952.924.2588 | ||
| Fax | 952.924.2663 |