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HomeMy WebLinkAboutMinutes 04.19.2001 • Building Trade & Fire Code Board of Appeals Minutes For April 19, 2001 BOARD MEMBERS PRESENT: Kip Pritchard, Chairman, Ricky Mason, Co- Chairman, Tilman Reagan, Chris LaFevre, Ronald Simmons STAFF MEMBERS PRESENT: Greg Zielinski, Code Enforcement Officer, Larry Gould, Chief Building Inspector, Philip Mize, Fire Marshal, and Katy Seals, Secretary Meeting called to order by Kip Pritchard. First item on the agenda: swearing in of new board member, Ronald Simmons Second item on the agenda: approval of February 9, 2001 minutes. Chris LaFevre made motion to accept minutes as read and Ricky mason seconded. Motion carried 5 -0. Third item on the agenda: discussion on the registering of contractors with the city. Greg Zielinski provided board members with hand -out of possible registration form for contractors to use. Kip Pritchard asked if the main purpose of the registration was to be able to locate the contractors and Greg Zielinski answered that is part of the reason for registering and in addition it would make available a list of all contractors if someone called and needed assistance in locating a contractor. Greg went on to add the cost of the registration would be to cover administrative costs. Ricky Mason inquired about a penalty for not registering and Greg Zielinski replied they haven't gotten that far yet but he would speak with the City Attorney to find out. Ricky Mason said if there is not a penalty for not registering, then why would anyone register — so a penalty really needs to be implemented. Greg Zielinski replied that if an ordinance is passed requiring registration, then there would be a penalty assessed for failing to comply. Chris LaFevre inquired as to how much the cost of registration would be — Greg Zielinski replied only about $5 -$10 per year. Larry Gould also stated the Board could suggest a fee to be submitted. Ricky Mason wanted to make sure it would be cost effective for the city to implement this — he used the example of $5 per registration at 100 registrants with the income of $500 — he wanted to make sure it would not reflect back to the tax payers for the administrative costs. He also questioned if a certificate or card would be given to registrants. Greg Zielinski and Larry Gould both replied the receipt would be all that is needed for registrants' proof of registration. Ricky Mason asked how long would the registration would be in effect. Greg Zielinski replied if it were implemented this year, the registration would be effective until December 2002 —then annually, with this first year actually being more than a year of registration. Tilmon Reagan asked if registering would further bond a contractor to following codes? Greg Zielinski replied it would simply be a list of contractors and Chris LaFevre said it is a way to track down contractors who have violated codes. Ricky Mason made motion to accept the . • registrations with a $10 fee for administrative costs and Tilmon Reagan seconded the motion. The motion carried 5 -0. Fourth item on agenda: discussion of contractors bonding and insurance. Ricky Mason says in a performance bond the city has no recourse and he feels we need compliance bonds. Ronald Simmons says a performance bond should be between the contractor and the homeowner. Ricky Mason asked about liability insurance for a compliance bond. Kip Pritchard said it has to be one or the other, not both liability and compliance. Ricky Mason reiterated that he feels the city should have compliance bonds. Ronald Simmons feels both would be best. Greg Zielinski says the ordinance would only state "and/or ". Larry Gould asked the board about liability vs. bond and Tilmon Reagan responded in liability there is a financial resource available if negligence occurs — similar to insurance and worker's compensation. Ricky Mason says if you don't have liability insurance and something happens, the financial responsibility would fall on the contractor personally or possibly the home - owner. Ricky Mason said he would like to see the bonds tied to registering the contractors as noted in the third item on the agenda. Tilmon Reagan motioned to present to council the compliance bond and Ronald Simmons seconded the motion. Motion carried 5 -0. Fifth item on agenda: discussion of electrical code. Ricky Mason said he would like to see the 1999 code approved. Greg Zielinski stated he has two more Rehab houses to finish up and then he would begin working on getting the 1999 code approved. Ricky Mason mentioned receiving information about the 2002 code with a meeting in Houston in either November or December of this year. He stressed we don't need to wait 2 years before adopting the latest edition of code. Kip Pritchard spoke about SE Cable — it needs to be from meter base to panel with fire damage being the reason for this code as well as a cost savings to the homeowner. Greg Zielinski stated it is also for overcurrent protection — the conduit keeps it inside the conduit if it enters t a breaker of fuse. He went on to state that he required a contractor to place in conduit through attic since was near the heat /air conditioner system. And he continued that inspections can be made on a per situation basis at this time. Smoke Detectors were then discussed with Greg Zielinski and Larry Gould citing from the building code book. Also read was PLB Code concerning grounding — which says cannot be grounded to gas piping. Larry Gould then told the board members about the thick brochure each board member had been presented and explained the state is in the process of adapting the residential building code and the brochure was a comparison of what is currently in place compared to what the state is proposing. He asked board members to review the material. Larry Gould also brought to board members' attention another hand -out they were given which noted information about digging in alleys — Section 21 -42 and informed board members John Berry, Director of Public Works, will have to OK the excavation and refilling. Ricky Mason wanted it sent to all contractors, but Larry Gould said he was told by John Berry that it would not be sent out to all. Tilmmon Reagan made motion to adjourn meeting and Ronald Simmons seconded the motion. Motion carried 5 -0 f) • MEETING ADJOURNMENT CHAIRMAN SECRET Y(