The 2008 Wisconsin Building Safety Network Conference

Department of Commerce (Commerce) staff members are looking forward to hosting the second Wisconsin Building Safety Network Conference scheduled for Wednesday, September 24 at the County Springs located in Pewaukee.

"We're also very excited to be working with University of Wisconsin staff," said conference organizer Henry Kosarzycki, AIA, "as we continue to realize the safety, sustainable growth and economic benefits that are part of Wisconsin's municipal network."

This year's conference will highlight the networking and inter-governmental potential that has been a part of Wisconsin's regulatory model; only lacking the stewardship to realizing its full potential. The day will be divided between moderator-lead panel discussions presented by a variety of municipalities engaged in the network at various levels. The panel sessions will be immediately followed by roundtable work sessions among peers where the dynamic exchange of successes as well as challenges can be addressed. The panel and work group sessions will include: Making the Process Work, Economic Development and conclude with a focus on Trends and Emerging Issues; this year's emerging issue will address stormater management.

The general principle of "doing more with less" has been with us for many years. Only in the last three or four years have municipal leaders been faced with that principle's full impact. Urban renewal is suddenly not just a metropolitan concern; rather one that is playing out in all of our communities. The growing list of regulations and rules put in place to keep those living, working and playing in our communities safe is found to be best addressed at the regional and local level.

Realizing a sustainable and environmentally responsible community finds its foundation at the regional and local level. Understanding the competitive nature of the Economic Development model continues to be valuable at regional and municipal levels along with tools associated with streamlining the process and application of appropriate technology. The preceding short list only begins to outline the broad spectrum of challenges and potential that each community is currently faced with.

Health, safety and welfare - the standard call to arms of the regulatory model - is typically associated with our built environment. Looking closer, we see that each of those three concerns resides in any number of departments, divisions or agencies within a regional or municipal government. Not only effective, but comprehensive and timely regulation lies not only in the building inspector's office. Environmental concerns are perhaps better addressed in the engineering department. Fire prevention and maintenance is addressed by the local fire marshal or fire department. Planning and development is most effective with an understanding of codes and process from submittal to permitting and occupancy.

The Wisconsin Building Safety Network recognizes its role as the common ground where this collaboration can occur bringing together all regional and municipal governments to exchange ideas, share challenges and the solutions that work.

Local governments across Wisconsin are invited and welcome to participate in this year's Wisconsin Building Safety Network conference, a network of regional and local officials collectively representing the citizens of Wisconsin and all those visiting and working in the state.

-- Henry Kosarzycki, AIA Program Manager