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10-29-1985 Special u u . t~ [uJ" i U CITY OF EDGEWATER MERIT BOARD October 29, 1985 1:00 p.m. SPECIAL MEETING MINUTES The Special Merit Board Meeting was called to order at 1:16 by the Chairman, Mr. Gold, in City Hall, Edgewater. ROLL CALL: Russell Gold Gwynne Turner Cecelia Stevens Linda Kuhbander Present Absent Present Present Also present: Mrs. Martinez, City Clerk/Administrator; Mr. Dennis Fischer, Building Inspector, and Mr. David Jones, Assistant Code Enforcement Officer. Mr. Gold announced this special meeting was called strictly to discuss the position of Fire Safety Inspector, and intro- duced Mr. Fischer to the Board, asking him to enlighten the Board as to the duties, qualifications, etc. of this position. Mr. Fischer explained the City previously had no Fire Safety or Fire Inspector at all and every time he was asked or re- quired to do a fire safety inspection, say at a Day Care Center, someone is needed who is trained. Mr. Jones stated that under Florida State Statute 633-08, a Fire Safety Course is required, and Mr. Fischer added one semester of college is needed. No one had these qualifications, and Mr. Fischer added that under the State Statute, schools and assembly places, where- ever the public is involved, required annual inspections. Mr. Fischer further explained that through the growth of the building department and the need for someone to help, he found David Jones, who is certified in numerous areas, has the qualities needed, and could be put to work immediately. He further explained that we are required not only to have a Building Inspector, but also to have fire requirements met, and with Mr. Jones's expertise, we have had him do this. Mr. Fischer stated he would like the Board to consider going to Council with a request for a Fire Safety Inspector, and that he and Mr. Jones have a list of needs for that position, but believes we should find out first what the City would like to have enforced. He added that fire safety carries a great deal of responsibility and he would like the Merit Board to consider what areas are required and to what extent they want them carried out. Mr. Fischer stated the City has adopted a Code but has never enforced it. Mr. Jones added there are violations after violations. He also stated the Code addresses the phrase "Fire Marshall", and believes we should find out from Council what direction he, Mr. Jones, is to take. Again, he believes the City adopts the Codes but does not enforce them and suggests we need to adopt a new code. Mrs. Stevens asked Mr. Jones if he has this all written down, and he said he has to meet with the City Attorney and set these things out. Mr. Fischer stated the assistance needed in Building Inspections he can handle, except for certain times such as vacation, etc. and he could find coverage in those areas. But the outside area, 4.J u which is non-building related, is where he gets behind, because he is taking away from building and construction and is drawn into common complaints, and this was the original reason for hiring Mr. Jones. He added Mr. Jones was to take away the non-building related functions such as weed complaints, junk cars, trash, etc. Mr. Fischer also pointed out that what also happened was the inspection areas were to go out for new businesses which averaged one or two every now and then; that we are now averaging one new business a day. He also explained there is a lot more involved than just one trip to the building; each one is different; each one takes a long period of time and a lot of preparation and reporting. Mr. Fischer also stated he and Mr. Jones would eventually need assistance, Mr. Jones with other inspectors under him in the fire area, and Mr. Fischer as building inspector. Losing Mr. Jones will probably bring about the need for a part time electrical inspector. He stated that if things continue as they are, a one and two famlily home inspector may be needed. He believes we could be looking at the possibility of two or three ~ore employees a few years down the road, if we continue as we are doing now. Mrs. Martinez suggested we do something now and plan for at least four or five years. Mr. Gold then suggested we make a recommen- dation to Council for a Fire Safety Marshall, Mrs. Martinez suggesting Fire Marshall, and later on First Safety Inspector. Mr. Jones added he could handle all existing buildings as they come along, but occupational he will have to keep up with. As to needing another inspector for fire right now, Mr. Jones does not believe it is necessary. Mr. Fischer recalled that Mrs. Martinez had mentioned there were numerous volunteer fire fighters very willing to participate, who could be designated as a fire safety inspector's volunteer force, as long as they have the minimal vehicle time, etc. Mrs. Martinez stated they should report to Mr. Jones and not to the Chief. Mr. Jones asked that this not happen now, as it would create a big work load for him, but believed the volunteers could eventually be trained to aid in that area. Mrs. Martinez believed that if they were called out on the weekends they could come in Monday morning with reports of violations they had noticed, and Mr. Jones agreed this would be very good. Mr. Gold stated that in view of Mr. Jones' request that we not act at this time on the Fire Inspector, that we just recommend a Fire Marshall to Council, and when Mr. Jones sees, in the future, a Fire Inspector is going to be needed, it can be acted upon at that time. Mr. Jones did explain that a Fire Marshall, for instance, in New Smyrna Beach or Port Orange, all turn to one person, their Chief, and Mr. Jones has no one to turn to. ~owever, he is willing to take this responsibility on his own shoulders, but perhaps the City Attorney should look at this and determine if it would create too much liability. Mrs. Martinez asked if itis Fire Marshall or Fire Inspector and Mr. Jones answered Fire Chief or Fire Marshall. Mr. Jones stated Fire Chief does not have the qualifications, and suggests Fire Marshall. Mrs. Stevens then asked Mr. Jones if he would be doing this in addition to the work he is doing now, and Mr. Jones replied he would like his job to be in the Fire area. A discussion followed as to qualifications of Fire Inspectors, and ~r. Fischer suggested if the City hires them, Mr. Jones could get them certified and they could report violations right back to him. The Board then suggested the Council make up the job description. Mr. Jones stated he did his own job description, based on New Smyrna Beach and Port Orange forms. Mr. Fischer then stated there is no problem here with qualifications and asked the Merit Board move along to Council a Merit Board Minutes Special Meeting October 29, 1985 -2- , ~ 1 U suggestion that they consider the area of Fire Marshall and subsequently Fire Inspectors. Mrs. Martinez suggests Mr. Fischer, Mr. Jones and Attorney Alvarez sit down and discuss what level. Mr. Gold suggested we Get down to a motion and Mrs. Stevens made a motion we recommend to council that the position of Fire Marshall be considered, subject to the City Attorney researching the legality of same. The motion was seconded by Mrs. Kuhbander and CARRIED 3-0. Mr. Gold stated there was nothing further on the agenda, and Mrs. Stevens made a motion to adjourn the meeting, seconded by Mrs. Kuhbander. The meeting was then adjourned at 1:58 p.m. Minutes submitted by Dorothy C. Garrity Merit Board Minutes Special Meeting October 29, 1985 -3-