Some residents have been home more than usual during these times of covid-19, and figure it’s a good opportunity to hire a professional to get some work done around the house. Can the City help to make sure their project is completed quickly and safely?
The answer is a resounding yes.
Palm Coast’s building inspections have become virtual for projects within living spaces where someone actually occupies the home (new home construction inspections still remain onsite). These evaluations are rendered on cell phones using Google Duo or FaceTime. Installation projects may include new windows, doors, water heaters, minor electrical work or air conditioning.
Plans Examiner and Building Inspector Chris Piscitelli is carrying out his virtual inspections synchronizing his role within both social distancing guidelines and state codes. At first, his co-workers worked to manage a few of the cyber obstacles caused by different phone features, but eventually equipment synched correctly. “Since April when we began inspections online, we’ve become adept at completing five-six jobs each day,” he declared.
And Piscitelli is pleased with the drive time everyone saves with virtual inspecting. Round trips to sites have been eliminated, saving time to get more work completed. Also, contractors are now reporting inspection requests immediately onsite, right after they finish a job. City techs can then phone in directly to assess the work. There’s no need for another meeting to finalize the project.
“Our department is always looking to formulate proficient ways to do business, adapting to any situation,” says Jason DeLorenzo, Chief Development Officer for the City of Palm Coast. “Performing inspections virtually is a successful program that shows our flexibility and adaptability to protect the public and our workforce.”
With building permit numbers holding steady throughout this year, the Community Development Department remains actively engaged, continuing to meet construction needs regardless of the challenges. They will continue virtual inspections as an ongoing effort to save time, money and lives.
Jimbo99 says
Just as long as they aren’t buying any more moldy properties with shoddy inspections. This sounds like it’s the lazy way of inspecting & charging ? That means I’m against it. If I have to pay for an inspection the least they can do is show up and inspect it. I mean really, the old addage holds, never buy a used car on a rainy day or when the dew is still wet. That hides flaws & damages. Let’s face it, the work done is on older homes. The inspector might see something that needs doing that the repair might effect. That’s what the inspection & getting paid is all about. Mailing in the inspection so to speak doesn’t fly with me. Earn your money and be there, otherwise there’s no reason to pay anyone for one. If you have to bless it, be there to bless it.
Jared says
Sounds like the inspectors need to take an unpayed hiatus. If they can’t muster the basic courage to do their job they shouldn’t be paid for it especially with my tax dollars.
Roy Johnson says
Someone controlling what inspector sees. Not very smart. Our jobs are to find hidden items. Can do with electronics from comfort of vehicle with video feed. Same and sound done correctly
Min Shan Lin says
This concept is insane, if you though corruption was bad before, just wait until they can do an inspection from their patios.
This leads me to think of the king of corruption himself Alan Lowe, remeber him? Running for Mayor of PC…
Alan Lowe 4 Mayor website says “I believe in transparency…” Really!?
He refuses to provide anyone with a resume of his work history, his education, his tax/legal issues, his time served in prison… but his achivements he wants everyone to know?
What achievements is he referring to?
Maybe its his 2015 patent application for an “Air vent” rain cover? Lets ask any of his ‘co-inventors’ how Alan is such a great leader: Gary Tremer, Gregory G. Guinn, Robin Leach
Well I’m confused then, how does Mr. Lowe justify his “37 years of business” as “Skin in the game”?
His failed pool cleaning company? Lost all of his accounts because of other people.
His failed construction company? No one builds pools anymore.
His failed scuba dive shop? Guy died so you dumped Pam and walked away.
His failed coral farm? Robbed anyone you could until you got caught, how long in prison?
His failed SeaLab brine company? You blamed your own son becasue he didnt do it like you would have?
His failed Applied Coral Technologies? You had everyone believing you would make it happen, but you failed.
His failed Helmet dive in St. Augustine? Same story, but all of the local investors were onto your bait & switch game.
His failed ‘CableBoxes” that offer ‘free’ cable? Oh so stealing cable is illegal after all?
Hmmm, must be his current ‘Handyman services’ company that only get clients through his realestate ‘fiancee’ of four years.
His education is what again?
Where did he get his engineering degree from?
He does not have one.
Where did he get his Marine Biology degree from?
He does not have one.
Just Google his name and you will find published articles where he calls himself both an Engineer and a Marine Biologist.
Dare we ask him about his real background?
Ask him how much he had to pay the IRS back in 1994? He tried to sue IRS agents when they busted him (Lowe v. Hart), he lost: “Dismissing case where plaintiff provided no “good cause” beyond simple inadvertence, mistake of counsel, or ignorance of the rules”
Ask him how much the loan was from SunTrust bank that he defrauded from them in the 90’s. (Hint: $20,000.00)
Ask him if, and how long he was incarcerated on the Island of Dominica for theft and fraud.
Ask him why he and his then girlfriend Pam Bradley were sited for environmental concerns over their yard garbage. Or when the County had to investigate his blue chemical drums hidden behind his 4G Market Place Ct. property. I again recently drove past his building (Aug 27th) at 4G Market Place Ct. to see for myself and the property is still a complete mess, garbage and chemical jugs everywhere.
Hell, just read one this guys three FaceBook pages to comprehend how biased/self-righteous this guy is and he is the hero in every story, except that it was taken down right before he decided to become a politician. It was switched to read “studied at…” and his work history has 37 years of “nothing to show”?
Pure 100% Whitewashing.
Perhaps we could just ask any of his three ex-wives, his missing childsupport payments or any of the 15+ former investors in his failed brine company, his failed helmet dive idea or his criminally embezzled coral farm project how great Alan Lowe really is.
We could even ask his own two sons just how great of a guy ‘Dear Ol Dad’ really is but they don’t speak to him anymore AND became democrats, great job Alan.
This is EXACTLY why virtual inspections will become ‘pay-per-click’ soon enough.
John Mason says
I found this letter from Alan Lowe to the Palm Coast Observer, its below if you want to reread it but wow does this guy know how to fake outrage.
My observations after rereading his letter:
So, Mr. Lowe is accusing our mayor of what exactly?
Mr. Morton did the right thing and had a third party investigate the issues, are you suggesting that you wouldn’t have done the same thing? Your answer is for her to quit? Not too self-serving is it Alan?
He is demanding her to quit because she “appears to have attempted to financially enrich herself…”? Yet HE WAS ARRESTED AND IMPRISONED of this himself! Can he explain why he was imprisoned in Dominica for theft of equipment and employee salaries? (We can)
“FBI as the final judge” Great idea Alan, let’s call them and ask how your cases turned out?
Mr. Lowe marks the phrase “an honest mistake” is an insult to the intelligence of the residents of our fine city. The only insult is this asshat thinking people are stupid enough to elect his without so much as a simple resume that would be required at any mcjob in Palm Coast.
“Actions have consequences” is how you put it Alan, we totally agree with you on that one. The actions of your past will forever taint your current nom de plume, whatever name you go by these days…
Really the worst part of this is that Mr. Lowe has never served his fellow man at all, he never held any political office before, not even dog catcher. Truth be told he only pretended to care about people in Dominica so the people he screwed out of money would still donate to his “Save Dominica” program after the hurricanes. Diabolical.
Holland needs to resign as mayor
Dear Editor:
The time has come for Mayor Milissa Holland’s commingling of her professional business with her responsibilities as an elected representative of the people to come to an end.
Today I am calling on Milissa Holland to withdraw her bid for re-election and resign her position as mayor of Palm Coast immediately.
The latest ploy by City Manager Matt Morton to hire an outside investigator at taxpayers’ expense to investigate the city’s own internal investigation would almost be comical if it wasn’t true. But it is true, and it is clearly a shameful attempt to protect the mayor and cover up her scandalous conduct.
While the FBI and the criminal justice system will be the final judge as to whether Mayor Holland committed punishable crimes or not, there can be no doubt her behavior is unethical and immoral.
Ms. Holland appears to have attempted to financially enrich herself through the direct use of her public office has now been exposed, and her brazen claim to have merely made “an honest mistake” is an insult to the intelligence of the residents of our fine city.
Despite what Mayor Holland would like us all to foolishly believe, there is simply no possible way she did not know she was illegally using her city email to solicited business for the private company she is currently employed by.
Actions have consequences, and the time has come for Mayor Holland to face those consequences directly and do the right thing for the citizens of Palm Coast by resigning as Mayor.
Alan Lowe
Palm Coast
Editor’s Note: Lowe is a candidate for Palm Coast mayor.
Concerned says
What a load of rubbish, get your lazy self out there and do your job’s, if the kids can go to school, you can get out there also.
Flats says
Digital camera’s make everything look good. Iphones do not replace a good set of eye and the camera can only be focused on one thing at a time, rather than the surrounding areas which may tell a more detailed story. If this is similar to Tele Med then it’s bound to fail, people wanting to get paid and charge the same dollars for doing less work with potentially uncertain outcomes.