—Daily Freeman-Journal photo by Adri Sietstra New Webster City Building Inspector Elise Timm is pictured above at her office at City Hall Tuesday afternoon. Timm began her duties as building inspector last Tuesday.

By ADRI SIETSTRA

asietstra@freemanjournal.net

The City of Webster City has a new building inspector. Elise Timm, 37, began her duties with the city last Tuesday.

“I’m absolutely thrilled to be here,” Timm said.

Timm and her husband, Jeremy, reside in rural Stratford. Together, they have seven children ranging in age from nine to 23.

Prior to this, Timm worked for a remodeling plumbing, heating/cooling contractor in Ames.

Timm received her undergraduate degree at Des Moines Area Community College. She has also completed numerous trainings and certifications.

“I’ve done several technical trainings, lead certifications..,” said Timm.

Timm applied for the open position for a chance to be closer to friends and family in the area.

Timm’s responsibilities as building inspector include ensuring commercial and residential structures in the city are up to date on both city code and ordinances.

“When people come to Webster City and want to build, basically what we do is go ahead and make sure that they are within international building codes,” Timm said. “I’ll also be doing mechanical inspections as well as plumbing inspections when people do upgrades to their home or additions. We make sure those are also within code and city ordinances.”

“We also handle complaints according to city ordinances and making sure that Webster City stays beautiful,” said Timm.

According to Timm, there are many nuisance properties that the city is currently looking in to.

“I do want to see some of these unsafe buildings, there’s a few that have been lingering out there, that we’re really trying to take care of,” Timm said. “That’s the number one goal, to get the unsafe buildings taken care of.”

Over the next few months, Timm plans on making unsafe buildings and the development of the Brewer Creek 5th and 6th Additions her main priorities.

“We’re actually working with the attorneys and those kind of things for properties that are unoccupied, to make sure that the City of Webster City can go ahead and take care of the building appropriately,” Timm said.

Timm hopes to make Webster City a safe and structurally sound place for its residents.

“The whole goal for this position is to make sure that people are abiding by the proper rules for code and public safety,” Timm said. “Also, homeowners are typically not familiar with code and I want to make that when a homeowner hires a contractor that they are getting exactly what they pay for.”

According to Timm, the code is set in place for the safety of residents.

“I want to make sure everything is done the way it’s supposed to be done and nobody is shortchanged,” she said.

Anyone with questions concerning building inspections can call the city at (515) 832-9151.

“We’re happy to provide residents with the information they need and point them in the right direction,” said Timm. “I think that we have a great team here in place to address any of those issues.”