Daily News Seekers.

Another Complaint against City Hall

September 11, 2008 submitted by Nancy Wilhelmi I believe that I am a relatively intelligent person. I thought I had a fairly simple idea for Fernley Families. I have lived here for 12 years and spent much of my childhood here. I did my research including meeting with individuals from the City of Fernley Planning & Development and Building Departments to learn what I needed to do to accomplish my idea 10 months before my doors opened for business. I leased my building believing that it was going to be fairly easy to get my required paperwork through the building department because I thought I had a very good understanding of what was required. I had met with Russ Hill several times in February and March 2008, to determine required electrical. The electrical was installed in the building according to Mr. Hills verbal approval (that was confirmed with him) the day I met my Electrical Contractor. As time grew closer for me to start my paperwork for the Minor Design Review (cost $250) that I had been told I would need in September 2007 by Planning & Development and Building Department, I was informed in April 2008 I would need a Tenant Improvement instead (cost $1,600.00). An increase of $1,350.00 from the original $250. My last meeting with Mr. Hill changed my dream into a nightmare. I was informed that I would have to hire a General Contractor (another additional cost not planned for) to do my floor plans (which I had already done). I would have to have all my electrical hard wired in with outrageous requirements costing me a rather large amount. After already purchasing some of the electrical equipment that Mr. Hill had approved. My Electrical Contractor convinced the Building Dept. to allow my original electrical equipment as it was manufactured. The Tenant Improved paperwork took 3 weeks to be approved and a permit to be issued, the inspection took approximately 10 minutes to complete, but was held up due to a issue with the building that had received its Final Inspection approval 2 months prior. A week prior to that my General Contractor informed me that he was not able to submit for my sign permit (something new again). The sign company I hired would have to submit for the permit. The Sign Company was told a Sign Contractor (something new again) not a General Contractor must install my sign. I had to find a Sign Company to take care of the problem at the very last minute, which cost me an extra $725.00. At this point the City had cost me an extra $2,075.00, not counting all the time and money spent for Minor Design Review paperwork I threw away.

For 8 and a half years I dealt with 8 different building departments on a daily basis. There is only one other building department in this part of the state that compares to the City of Fernley Building Department for making something simple so difficult that most small business owners would not even consider opening a business within the City Limits. If I had known earlier that the City was going to make everything so difficulty at the last minute, I would have opened in Fallon instead of Fernley. The citizens of Fernley should be totally ashamed of the Current City Officials who so call lead our fair city. Gary Bacock had no clue what he was saying when I spoke with him regarding

my situation, but acted like he did, which made him sound very unintelligent. Losing Terry Gilbert really hurt the City as he was one of the few that actually understood the UBC (universal building code) and successfully dealing with the issues involved. Also the loss of Rochelle Brassard plus other valuable staff that honestly were trying their best to do outstanding jobs. I can say I will not miss Mr. Russ Hill who was one of the worst city employees I ever had the unpleasant opportunity to meet. Kudos to Rochelle Brassard for her letter to the Fernley News Editor and for the Editor publishing it. I do not believe that a "Customers First" policy exists within our city departments as stated on their web site. They are not giving accurate information when you go for assistance. They made my life a living hell by giving me incorrect information for 8 months and then changing their requirements on a daily basis once part of my paperwork was submitted. I feel extremely sorry or the Contractors who must work with this City in order to make a living. Do a survey of some of our local contractors not just the big Developers. Our City Hall has become a very unpleasant joke.