Permitting – Please Normandy, Missouri, Say it Isn’t So

Every so often I read about a permitting story that makes me roll my eyes. This one is courtesy of INC magazine and Ms. Suzanne Lucas. She has written about other, shall we say unique, permitting practices. 

It appears in Normandy, Missouri that the effort to be a good neighbor during winter requires a permit. Yes, if you want to shovel your neighbor’s driveway, you must have a permit.  The reason, if I understood the piece correctly, was odd to me.  

If I put it in the article you would doubt my sanity or my ability to comprehend a written piece. However, since an elective body did this, then it is certainly believable. I suggest you read the article; I provided a link below.  

Ms. Lucas also points out other strange license and permit requirements. Take a look, you will either roll your eyes, laugh, or shake your head.  If I missed one, I am sure I will need a permit to offer these and other reactions. 

Link to article:  https://www.inc.com/suzanne-lucas/missouri-you-need-a-permit-to-shovel-grandmas-snow.html?cid=search

My Time at the Early Assistance Desk (EAD)

Recently, I filled in at the Early Assistance Desk (EAD).  It is temporary and I am very glad I did it. Mainly, it offered me a learning experience and sharpened my customer service skills.

EAD is located in the Prince William County Development Services building. Several other County departments are in this building, including Public Works, Neighborhood Services, Planning, Transportation, and Health.  It is a combination reception desk for these (and other departments) and triage.  A bit of explanation. First, as a reception desk.  In pre-COVID manning the EAD was easier.  When a citizen came in and wanted to go to a specific department, staff at EAD responded, “Up the stairs, to your right.” 

Now, all first and second-floor offices are closed.  So we either had to track down someone in the department or offer a phone number to the citizen to call.  This can be a challenge as our list of staff in other departments is hard to find due to so many teleworking. Thanks to the supervisor, we simply give the citizen the general department phone number to call for an appointment.  Life in COVID-19.

However, what I discovered is several, if not many citizens, tried numerous times to arrange an appointment via email and/or phone. A couple of citizens said I left several voice messages and sent numerous emails to individual staffers in the building, and no one ever followed up.  So they would come into the building thinking they could go up the stairs to the appropriate office until EAD staff stopped them. It is hard to come up with an answer to a citizen who tells you they left numerous voice messages and sent a batch of emails, and no response.

Now EAD as triage.  EAD staff work with individuals seeking permits. It can be for a patio, deck, pool, a sign, a basement finish out, etc. You get the idea.  EAD staff listen to the citizen, then route the citizen to the appropriate counter(s).  Each counter is manned by trained and knowledgeable staff. (and no, this is not sarcasim)

For example, a person building a deck can stop at three counters.  The first counter is Zoning – that tells the individual that the improvement he wants to construct can be done on his land and he will not encroach on his neighbor.  The second counter is Plan Intake.  This counter reviews all required materials. Think of it as quality control.  Finally, to the permit counter to pay for and receive a permit.  It can be a very quick process, but really depends on the number of citizens seeking permits. 

Other counters include water shed, land development, GIS, Small Business Project Management Program (SBPM), Fire Marshal, and holding (this is not a counter, more like a place holder so a citizen does not lose his place in the process).  We all know how frustrating it is to have to leave, come back, and then go to the end of the line.  We have a remedy for that, each ticket issued is time stamped. So if a citizen has to go into holding, the ticket can be reactivated and the individual goes back to his place in the que. It is a fair and efficient system (I bet that is the first time you heard those words associated with a government program). 

One asset for anyone working EAD is the set of scripts available.  Any person at either station has access to 131 scripts on a variety of topics. Basically, each script asks a question, that can take you to another question, and so on.  A sample of available scripts are residential and commercial alteration/repair; antenna and cell towers; basement finish out; carport; demolition; dock; fire alarms; group home; kennels; land disturbance; signs; occupancy permits; sheds; storage tanks; and trusses.

In the end, a citizen gets a ticket that has all their counter stops on it. All they must do is listen or look for their number.  The ticket directs the citizen to each appropriate counter.   Of course, about one in six do not necessarily follow a script exactly as written.  This is where knowledge meets experience.

Many are home owners improving their home with a deck, pool, or basement finish out.  Commercial projects must submit plans electronically. 

By and large, people are polite.  A few get frustrated with the time it can take.  As noted earlier, COVID introduced a new layer.  Before COVID, EAD staff could simply send people to any office they needed to see.  Now all departments are closed.  We continually tell walk-ins that you must make an appointment. 

A couple of examples.  I had a couple come in to see a County staffer and I gave her the phone number.  She replied with a tone indicating that she had it with County staff and that she has been working on this for three months and left repeated emails and voice messages for a specific County staffer who did not respond.  We had a man come in to report on his progress about a code violation, but no one from code enforcement answered so I took a picture of his license and the violation and then emailed it to the appropriate staffer. (sometimes you have to be inventive.

• Serving at the EAD teaches you the following:
• Honing your customer service skills.
• Listening is a vital component of a successful time at EAD.
• Knowledge and experience helps you ask the right questions when talking to a citizen.
• People will get frustrated, remember it is usually not with you.  It is because the process does not make sense, they do not understand why so many copies of certain papers are needed, or other staff simply will not respond to repeated phone calls and emails.
• Importance of having a rudimentary knowledge of the various processes (hence review the scripts).
• You get lots of unrelated questions and that is where experience can help.
• “I do not know” is a very good answer. Especially if you try to help them get an answer.
• No is an answer. (not everything can be yes).
• You have a great deal of specific knowledge every department in building.
• What is asked for as part of the permitting process is truly needed.
• Finally, you get to see what a diverse and fascinating population we have.

This continued experience teaches me the front desk people have a much harder job than the public truly realizes. It is impossible to know all the factors in building a deck or installing in a swimming pool.  So why expect these individuals at a front desk to know it.  The next time I call a business and get the EAD like desk, I will know to say my issue is this, who should I talk to.

Continuing Challenges for Economic Development and Permitting

Reuters writers Elizabeth Dilts Marshall, Anirban Sen, and Imani Moise wrote a very interesting and impactful article about the finance sector and potential layoffs.  It is not entirely expected.  As to the impact to finance, you can read the article. 

What is more impactful to me is the last paragraph.  It is:

“Everyone has been surprised by how much more efficient you can be,” he said. “Later this year or early next year, (managers will) look around and say we just have many more people than we need.”

This tells me the initial layoffs noted in the article are only the beginning.  This type of restructuring could go on for several years.  Furthermore, if it is applied to other white collar industries, the negative impact could be exponential. 

For cities and counties, the effect is threefold:

·      Economic development:  how can we add value to the individuals laid off?  What existing partnerships can we enhance and new partnerships can we begin to offer a path to employment?

·      Finance:  how will cities and counties that rely on property tax deal with a likely decrease in value?

·      Permitting:  when new tenants are interested in leasing space previously rented by the finance sector or other white collar industries, how can permitting offices expedite the process?

This last one is of primary importance in that if you look across the country, we could be faced with a spike in vacant space.  Speed to market will be critical to any new tenant. So, how does permitting respond?

Link to article:  https://www.reuters.com/article/us-usa-banks-layoffs/banks-eye-layoffs-as-short-term-crisis-ends-long-term-costs-emerge-idUSKBN25O1KI#:~:text=2%20days%20ago-,Banks%20eye%20layoffs%20as%20short%2Dterm,ends%2C%20long%2Dterm%20costs%20emerge&text=NEW%20YORK%20(Reuters)%20%2D%20At,the%20wrong%20thing%20to%20do.

  

Good Economic Data - From the Federal Reserve II

Frankly, I am amazed by all the data that the Federal Reserve staff publishes. It covers so many disciplines.  I cannot begin to name them all, I suggest you take a look on the website.

However, one of my favorite publications is Industrial Production and Capacity Utilization.  If you love manufacturing data, this is the one for you.  I am not aware of any data that comes close to this piece. As an economic indicator, it is in a class by itself.  It is a monthly release, but not always on the same day.  The publications on the website go back to 1997. It runs 19 pages and consists of 15 tables.

This monthly publication looks at industrial production, plant capacity, and plant utilization for various manufacturing industries, mining, and utilities in the United States. This is the essence of manufacturing data. In fact, 89 industries are indexed. I know this is not necessarily the best explanation of the publication. In fact, the Federal Reserve does a far better job describing what each component is and I encourage you to read it.  I will simply add that if you enjoy all aspects of manufacturing, then this report is a must read to keep track of various industries and the health of these vital U.S. economic sectors. 

Link: https://www.federalreserve.gov/releases/g17/default.htm .  

Good Economic Analysis - From the Federal Reserve I

 I read alot of economic data.  It comes from magazines I subscribe to, the federal government, banks, etc.  The list goes on.  

Frankly, we have an abundance of economic data to read.  What is often lacking is analysis.  One of my favorite sources is the Federal Reserve. And one of my favorite publications is the Beige Book. That is the common reference.  The full name is Summary of Commentary on Current Economic Conditions by Federal Reserve District.  I prefer the Beige Book.

This publication comes out eight times a year. It is packed with anecdotes and analysis.  It starts with a brief national overview and summary of every region. Next, each region is discussed in great detail. Now do not ask me about the regions, I too question the methodology. (you might too after seeing the regions)

That should not detract from the value of the report. It is an easy read. Consider each one like this. You just listened to a detailed economic data presentation by an esteemed economist.  If you are like me, you might be scratching your head and asking what does it all mean. The Beige Book is the response. A quick read about economic conditions across the United States by region.  It is easily understood and you do not doubt the sources or the analysis.  A truly valuable and unique publication.

If you doubt my word, read the intro on the website.  

Link:  https://www.federalreserve.gov/monetarypolicy/beige-book-default.htm. 

Desert to you. Home to Me

In September of 2019 I posted this picture and the caption “Desert to you. Home to Me “on my Twitter and Instagram feeds.  

I have been home numerous times in my life.  We always stayed at my parents’ home until they sold it.  In fact, I have stayed in a hotel only twice in Midland, my father’s funeral and my 40^th class reunion. 

The reunion stay was truly different.  I had far more free time and drove around looking at old haunts and favored locations.  It was my first time downtown in decades.  And the first time every meal was at restaurant.

So I took my wife to restaurants she never went to before, like Wall Street and Luigi’s.  And yes, neither one changed.  It was like going to lunch with Dad or the family going to dinner in 1976.

We drove by my relatives old homes and went to the refurbished Dennis the Menace Park. 

We visited my old high school and took a tour.  It underwent substantial changes over the past 40 years.  But some of the older sections were preserved.

As I drove around my first day I thought it would be great to move back to Midland.  By the end of reunion, I was not so sure. This is by no means a cut or dig about Midland, but rather I think my interests and what Midland offers are not parallel.

Midland is a wonderful city for raising a family. It has a sense of risk and independence due to the wildcatters (oil men) and ranchers.  The schools were outstanding institutions and the teachers (most of them) outstanding individuals.  This is not a formal city, only the bankers, lawyers, and accountants wear suits.  Oilmen and other professionals did not.

It was the heyday of the company car. You could spot them a mile away, usually a Chevrolet Impala.

Midland was a city of professionals.  It was not an industrial town.  At one time Midland had a Rolls Royce dealership.  A key point people forget, back in the 70’s, the largest independent bank in the US was in the small city of Midland (less than 100, 000 people).

I realize that this sounds very nostalgic.  So let me end with these thoughts. 

I grew up in a wonderful city with so many positive attributes. I have a supportive and loving family.  I developed my writing in Midland.  I had incredible friends.  While I could tell you lots of negative aspects of Midland, they pale in comparison to my love of the city. 

However, I also know I cannot really go back.  The common saying is you cannot go home again, for you are a different individual. It is seldom added that the home also evolved.

You see a desert. I see home. And I always will.

Opportunity Zones - An Excellent Primer

 This is a very short post.  One of the most recent federal incentive programs is Opportunity Zones. It is also one of the most complicated.  I read numerous articles and stories about Opportunity Zones.  Most are helpful. However, I ran across this article in Econ Focus. It gives an excellent history, background, and general information about Opportunity Zones. It is a very good article for those seeking to understand it and those seeking to explain it.  

The article is by Jessie Romero. Link:  https://www.richmondfed.org/publications/research/econ_focus/2019/q1/feature1