City hires engineering firm, promotes building inspector

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by Jeff Saunders

Reporter

Macedonia -- With the retirement of City Engineer Fred Tufts at the end of May, the city is looking at revamping its building department.

City Council agreed May 8 to hire Akron-based engineering firm GPD Group to provide engineering services in place of a staff engineer.

Council also agreed to appoint full-time Building Department Assistant and Inspector Mike Hlad to full-time chief building official and created the position of full-time assistant chief building official. Council appointed part-time Fire Inspector Frank Posar to the assistant's position.

According to the city's payroll department, Hlad's pay will increase from $66,206 a year to $68,515 while Posar's will increase from $21,725 to $52,000. Tufts annual salary is $92,600.

Tufts said GPD will be paid on an as-needed basis according to the work it does. Finance Director Steve Brunot said roughly $60,000 in general fund money has been budgeted for engineering services from GPD this year.

Mayor Don Kuchta was unavailable for comment, but he said in April that there are two reasons for the restructuring. He said the engineering and chief building official responsibilities are too much for one person and hiring an engineering firm will give the city access to individuals with a variety of engineering specialties.

Tufts said GPD will be handling projects such as the $1.42-million reconstruction of South Freeway Drive, which the city hopes to begin this year. The company will also be available for consultation when the city reviews plans for private construction projects.

Tufts said that the city has already used GPD to provide plans for a bridge over the Highland Road railroad crossing, which the city hopes to begin soon after the Route 92 railroad bridge replacement project is completed in late 2009.

"Certainly we are in a transition period here in the city and we're working very hard with them to bring them up to speed," said Tufts.

Hlad, he said will be in overall charge of building inspections and issuing building and occupancy permits while Posar will handle zoning and residential building inspections primarily.

Hlad told City Council after his appointment that he was looking "forward to the challenge."

Tufts said that he believes Hlad will also primarily be responsible for providing expertise to the city's planning commission, which reviews site plans, landscaping, signs and building exteriors for proposed commercial and residential projects.

"I think GPD will have a representative available, but it should be handled through Mike," he said.

E-mail: jsaunders@recordpub.com

Phone: 330-688-0088 ext. 3169