Washington’s City Council has reinstated the position of chief building official, which was eliminated as part of a reduction in force that took effect July 1, 2005.

The reinstated position, at pay grade 24, has an annual salary range from $42,907 to $63,502.

The council also reclassified the currently vacant building codes enforcement officer to chief building official.

The city’s code-enforcement unit includes a senior building code-enforcement officer, building code-enforcement officer and a code enforcement officer. They report to John Rodman, the city’s planning and development director.

“Mr. Rodman has indicated the need for a supervisor to coordinate and direct the work of the division as well as to provide guidance and evaluate the performance of staff in the code enforcement unit,” reads a memorandum from Pete Connet, interim city manager, to the mayor and council. “This position will also perform field work. With a current vacancy in the department created by a recent resignation, this seems to be an appropriate time to reinstate a Chief Building Official position.”

“The reclassification request should be utilized because the vacant position needs to assume a significant change in the level of duties and responsibilities on a permanent basis,” wrote Rodman in a memorandum to Susan Hodges, the city’s director of human resources. “A majority of the duties that were originally assigned to the Senior Building Code Official will still be performed by the new position, however, the level of complexity and the degree of involvement and responsibilities has increased.”

In other business, the council authorized the city manager to sign an authorized agent consent agreement between the city (as property owner) and the Little Washington Sailing Club as part of the club’s effort to amend the city’s Coastal Area Management Act permit for the city docks.

In January, the city received a new CAMA permit for the docks. The club wants to amend the permit — on behalf of the city — so its floating dock may be attached to one of the city’s docks on a permanent basis.

During the council’s meeting, Kevin Clancy was introduced as the club’s new program director.

For the upcoming 2011 season, the club plans to add two full-week classes to its schedule of sailing classes, including an advanced class for graduates of prior classes for beginning sailors. It also plans to increase the number of sailing-class students who receive scholarships to participate in the classes.

The club and the Beaufort County Boys & Girls Club are working to identify children who may qualify for the scholarships.