Chinook loses local building codes

After spending a few months looking at how Chinook laws address building regulations, Chinook City Council decided Thursday night to decertify.

The change would remove the city's ability to inspect buildings and distribute permits.

Instead construction projects, at least some of them, would become the responsibility of state inspectors and regulations.

Councilman Heath Richman said that he had talked to officials from the state, and they were surprised that a community the size of Chinook had such building codes.

"The state guy said we're one of the few that have certification, " Richman said.

"He said, 'I cannot recommend with any more force that you decertify immediately."

Barry Murnion is a contractor in Chinook who prompted the council to take a look at their building inspecting policies back in October. He was not satisfied with the solution and shared his thoughts before council voted.

"I think you guys are wrong, " Murnion said. "The state will only come in to inspect in the county or on commercial projects. People will be able to build wherever or whatever they want.

"The standards are going to go way down. "

Murnion said that he has enough difficulty with contractor's insurance the way things are and is worried how this might make the situation worse.

"Contractors' insurance is a bugger. It's a bugger to get. It's a bugger to maintain, " Murnion said.

Others at the meeting raised concerns about the effect decertification would have on funding the city gets for certain projects.

Most of the council and City Clerk Lorraine Mulonet said that the two are separate issues, and they have no reason to believe there would be an effect.

The council voted 4-1 to decertify.

Councilman Jack Conner voted against decertification because he wanted to look more into unforeseen consequences.