Item #04
Date: December 16, 2025
To: Mayor and City Council
From: Jim Schaad, City Manager
Subject: Appointment of City Chief Building Official
Recommendation:
Staff recommends adoption of Resolution 2025-XX appointing Jeramy Chapdelaine as the City’s Chief Building Official (CBO), effective December 1, 2025.
Rationale for Recommendation:
A vacancy in the Public Works Director position occurred on June 1, 2025. Following this vacancy, the City conducted a recruitment process to fill the position. During interviews, staff determined that in addition to experience in public works, project management, and supervision, Mr. Chapdelaine possessed extensive professional background in building inspection, permitting, and plan review, having served in these capacities with other public agencies.
Mr. Chapdelaine indicated that he was willing to perform the CBO function for the City upon renewal of the required state certifications. This background and his willingness to assume the duties of the Chief Building Official were factors in selecting him as the Public Works Director.
Mr. Chapdelaine has since completed the necessary recertification courses and has been actively supervising the building inspection function, frequently performing inspections in the Building Inspector’s absence. His experience and demonstrated performance make him the appropriate choice for appointment.
Background:
Historically, the duties of the Chief Building Official have been performed by a contracted service, based on the determination that the workload did not justify a full-time in-house position. Currently, this service is provided by 4-Leaf, Inc. Previous Public Works Directors did not possess the qualifications or credentials required to assume the CBO role internally.
Discussion & Analysis:
Mr. Chapdelaine has extensive hands-on experience in building inspection, permitting, and plan check processes, which uniquely positions him to assume the duties of the City’s Chief Building Official. 4-Leaf will be retained as a backup provider in the event of Mr. Chapdelaine’s absence.
Mr. Chapdelaine will also directly supervise the City’s newly hired Building Inspector (recently insourced).
The combination of insourcing the inspector position, appointing an internal CBO, and retaining 4-Leaf as a backup resource will improve departmental coverage while reducing overall costs.
Alignment with City Council Goal(s):
This Agenda Item supports goals #6 of Strengthening Institutional Capacity.
Environmental Impact:
The appointment of Chief Building Official is an administrative action that does not constitute a CEQA ‘project’ pursuant to CEQA Guidelines §15378(b)(2), as it will not result in a direct or reasonably foreseeable indirect physical change in the environment.”
Legal Review:
This staff report has been reviewed and approved by the City Attorney as to legal form.
Fiscal Impact:
There is no fiscal impact to the City, and the appointment is anticipated to be cost neutral in FY 2025/26 and generate cost savings of $25,000 in reduced outside consulting expenses in FY 2026/27 and beyond. Funds for the Public Works Director have already been appropriated in the FY 2025–26 Budget, and no additional budget action is required.
Attachment(s)
1) Resolution 2025-XX