Lawmakers Finalize Rockland Takeover Of Village Code Enforcement

NEW CITY, NY — The Rockland County Legislature voted 16-0 Tuesday during a special meeting to approve a budget and director for the new county Office of Buildings and Codes, which begins work Feb. 14 taking over Spring Valley's code enforcement operation.

The New York State Department announced the temporary takeover — after years of requests by local fire officials warning of little or no enforcement of safety codes — the day after the Rockland County District Attorney's Office announced the indictments of the head of Spring Valley's building department and its assistant building inspector on accusations they falsified inspection reports for the Evergreen Court Home for Adults in 2021. Six people face charges in connection with the fatal fire that consumed the century-old former hotel.

State officials ordered Rockland to assume administration and enforcement of the State Uniform Fire Prevention and Building Code and the State Energy Conservation Construction Code within the Village of Spring Valley.

The Legislative branch has been working with County Executive Ed Day and his staff to address the many issues.

“This isn’t something we wanted to be involved in – conducting another municipality’s work,” Legislature Chairman Jay Hood Jr. said. “The state of New York has mandated Rockland County Government to take on the task of safety inspections in the Village of Spring Valley and with these votes, we will be able to respond to the order. The most important thing is the protection of people - residents, businesses and first responders.”

The Legislature voted last week 14-0 to adopt the new law that creates an Office of Buildings and Codes and grants authority for the office to operate. The last four resolutions were adopted Tuesday:

• Approved amending the 2022 Adopted County Budget for the implementation of the new county Office of Building and Codes.
• Approved the creation of a director’s position for the new office (assigned to the County Executive’s Office)
• Confirmed the appointment of former Suffern village Mayor and retired NYPD Officer Edward Markunas as director
• Approved an Intermunicipal Agreement stipulating interactions between the new office and the Village (including the assignment of certain Spring Valley Village inspectors to the new County office, granting the County access and use of Spring Valley’s Municity recordkeeping software, and loaning Spring Valley’s vehicles and equipment to the County)

“We have provided everything necessary for the County Executive to operate the new Buildings and Codes Office and take care of conducting Spring Valley’s inspections as the state has mandated,” Legislature Minority Leader Lon Hofstein said. “Public safety is always paramount and County government is doing its part to protect the health and safety of residents, businesses and first responders.”

Just given the backlog of outstanding inspections, county officials have identified a need for at least 12 full and part-time building and fire inspectors and five support staff, plus a director. SEE: County Exec Submits Plan For Office of Buildings and Codes

"I am relieved that last night the Rockland County Legislature delivered on their promise to pass the four resolutions necessary to ensure the functionality of the new County Office of Buildings and Codes," County Executive Ed Day said in a statement. "Preparing for the takeover has been an all-hands-on deck situation with staff from the Office of Fire and Emergency Services, Facilities Department, Purchasing Department, Information and Technology Services, Law Department, Personnel Department, Finance Department, Office of Consumer Protection, and the Office of the County Executive taking part.

"It has been an incredibly detailed and time-consuming process to create an entirely new Office within County Government and now, thanks to the County Legislature, we have the tools and support we need to take over the functions of the Spring Valley Building Department as Ordered by New York State."