DUNEDIN — Developers often criticize this city's development review process, saying it's inefficient. Now they have a point person to help them navigate it.
City Manager Robert DiSpirito created the position of development services project coordinator, and filled it with four-year city employee Lael Giebel.
Giebel, 38, started her new job last month. She will also continue as community services analyst until a replacement is found. Her salary increases from $43,700 to $59,000.
DiSpirito has worked over the past year to improve the city's permitting and review process. He received feedback from developers, contractors, city staff and others who have experience with the city's system.
Part of Dunedin's problem is that five city units — engineering, zoning, building, fire and parks — are involved in reviewing and permitting proposed projects. That can slow the process.
Giebel is a liaison between the developer and the city agencies and help streamline the process.
"(Giebel's) job is not to necessarily advocate for the developer nor to advocate for the city staff," DiSpirito said. "It's an independent position. That's why I have her report directly to the assistant city manager."
Giebel will hold regular staff meetings to monitor the status of various projects, DiSpirito said.
"It's a matter of getting staff all together at the same time, fixing some of the kinks in the process itself, getting the process well-known by everybody," Giebel said.
Giebel also is responsible for improving information on the city's Web site and in published city materials. She wants to get rid of jargon as a way to make the process more user-friendly.
Dan Dennehy, a developer's representative who was part of DiSpirito's Customer Task Force, said he welcomes the position.
"They have a great team in place but the system is one that kind of bogs down in the details," he said. "It makes sense to have an individual you can deal with."
Dennehy said he would like to see the city's Web site become more interactive. Other cities allow customers to go online and monitor the status of a project.
He said he think's Giebel's position will bring more efficiency.
"If the city is going to say no, at least you hear it sooner," he said.
Tamara El-Khoury can be reached at (727) 445-4181 or tel-khoury@sptimes.com.
[Last modified: Apr 05, 2008 02:20 PM]
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