Agenda Date: 01/27/2026
Subject:
Title
Community Development Department Overview
Body
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From: |
James L. Becklenberg, City Manager |
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Prepared by: |
Matt Knight, Community Development Director |
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Denise Ciernia, Business Operations Manager |
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Presentations: |
Matt Knight, Community Development Director |
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Denise Ciernia, Business Operations Manager |
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Tim Steinwinder, Chief Building Official |
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Jeremy Kovinchick, Code Compliance Manager |
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Jessica Stemley, Development Engineering Manager |
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Jerad Chipman, Planning Manager |
PURPOSE:
The Community Development Department will provide City Council with an overview of the department’s organization, key areas of responsibility, and 2025 workplan activities. The presentation will highlight how departmental efforts support City Council’s Strategic Outcomes under Horizon 2027, provide an update on progress toward critical master planning initiatives, and identify future items anticipated to come before Council.
LONG-TERM OUTCOME(S) SERVED:
Vibrant Community with a Rich Culture; Robust and Resilient Economy; Sustainable Community with Natural Beauty; High-Quality Governance
DISCUSSION:
Division managers will introduce their teams and summarize each division’s core responsibilities, notable accomplishments, and key projects from 2025. The presentation will also outline strategic priorities aligned with Horizon 2027, share select highlights from the past year, and preview upcoming initiatives and policy considerations that may require Council direction. Staff looks forward to Council’s questions and feedback.
BACKGROUND:
The Community Development Department is dedicated to building a sound, resilient, and neighborly community by providing excellent customer service, effective outreach, and the responsible and efficient use of resources. This mission guides the department’s day-to-day operations and long-range planning efforts as staff work collaboratively to support quality development, protect public safety, and enhance community character.
The department is comprised of five divisions and 29 team members, working in a coordinated manner to guide growth, ensure compliance with adopted regulations, and deliver consistent, transparent, and customer-focused services to residents, businesses, and development partners.
• Administration Division: Provides overall administrative support and coordination for all Community Development divisions, including budgeting, performance management, internal operations, process improvement, and customer service functions.
• Building Division: Responsible for reviewing construction plans, issuing building permits, and conducting building inspections to ensure compliance with adopted codes and standards that protect life, safety, and property.
• Code Compliance Division: Investigates complaints related to City code compliance, works collaboratively with property owners and tenants to achieve voluntary compliance, conducts systematic proactive inspections of properties, and emphasizes education and outreach to promote safe, healthy, and attractive neighborhoods.
• Planning Division: Develops and updates the City’s Comprehensive Plan and related policy documents; manages and supports the City’s long-range planning projects, implements adopted plans through development and rezoning review; prepares, updates, and administers land use regulations, including zoning; and oversees the City’s historic preservation programs.
• Development Engineering Division: Works closely with Planning, Building, and Public Works to manage land development activities, including development agreements, engineering plan review, construction inspection, and final acceptance of public improvements, ensuring infrastructure is designed and built to serve the community effectively over the long term.
In 2025, the department led or played a key role in six City initiatives in direct support of City Council’s Strategic Outcomes.
FISCAL IMPACTS:
N/A
STAFF RECOMMENDATION:
N/A
ALTERNATIVES:
N/A