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10-18-1984 ~ o CITY OF EDGEWATER Building Code Board October 18, 1984 Minutes Secretary Vanzin called the meeting to order at 7:00 p.m. in the Community Center. ROLL CALL Members present: Messrs. Vanzin, Cole and Ogram. Excused: Mr. Howard. Also present: Mr. Dennis Fischer, Building Official and Mrs. Taylor, Secretary. APPROVAL OF MINUTES Mr. Cole moved to approve the June 21, 1984 minutes. Mr. Ogram seconded the motion, which CARRIED 3-0. ELECTION OF OFFICERS The members agreed to table election of officers until the next regular meeting of the Board, when a new member has been appointed and there is a full Board present. OLD BUSINESS Mr. Fischer reported on the progress being made reo owner/builder applications since the policy has gone into effect which requires verification of owner- ship, noting that applications have dropped off. He has had five new appli- cations in the last two months compared with thirty since the first of the year. He stated that some of the non-licensed contractors have merged with licensed contractors. Mr. Fischer informed the members of new State Bill 413 which goes into effect the first of this month. This requires that the actual owner of the property must appear on the building permit. He is also requiring a copy of the deed or a check with the tax records when there is a question on a property. NEW BUSINESS Mr. Fischer noted that the increase in the water impact fees created a rush for building permits last month, and his office permitted approximately 70 homes. Concerning new licensed contractors coming into the area, Mr. Fischer asked the Board their opinion as to whether these people should come before the Board before giving them approval. These would be State certified people. He has had a few problems in this area, he advised. An alternate to this would be to set up guidelines for some of the trades coming in. Mr. Cole felt setting up guidelines would be the better route to take. Mr. Vanzin noted that it would be difficult for the Board to know anything about these people. Those present discussed the letter which the Building Official had enclosed with the new Competency Cards and City Licenses. This letter asked for a list of subcontractors so that an application for a competency card or a registration card could be mailed to them. Competency cards are required for contractors in the area of general, building and residential contractors, electrical, plumbing and mechanical, along with sheet metal, roofing, swimming pool, well, gas and pipe. The Edgewater Code says that without a competency card, competency number or State certification in these areas a permit cannot be issued. The other areas Mr. Fischer would like to see brought up is for framers, drywall or anyone in a trade area; he would like to see these people signed in by the contractor of record. Some contractors change subs on every job. He cited an example of a skylight leaking and it is not knownwhether a framer or roofer put it in. ~. .;; Q o Mr. Fischer said that Mr. Dave Jones, the assistant code inspector, has been a big asset to the department. Because of the complaints from licensed electricians, State licensed roofing contractors and others who have gotten insurance and opened up an office to conduct business, he would like to have Mr. Jones do some spot checking and ask for registration cards. A lot of areas are requiring a sign-off sheet with the permit for the sub- contractor to sign, Mr. Fischer noted. Mr. Ogram advised that the County requires an electrician who does the job to sign the permit. Mr. Fischer asked the Board's feelings concerning the information he has requested from the sub-contractors, and their registration. Mr. Vanzin asked if this is required of each laborer on the job. The Building Official said that his letter was intrepreted wrong. It is directed to the sub- contractors. He stated the Code requires that the Chief Building Official shall assign to each holder a certificate of competency number. Section 7-342 states that, "No person or firm shall engage in business as a general contractor as herein defined in the city without having a valid and effective certificate of competency and license." Mr. Fischer said that anyone out there doing a trade and making money at that trade he would consider a con- tractor. Mr. Fischer also referred to Sec. 7-132 of the Code. Mr. Vanzin asked if they had to have a license to operate in the City and Mr. Fischer agreed that they are supposed to. That is why he wants to go to the con- tractor and ask them to submit voluntarily a list of their subs. This way, if there is a problem, he will have a list of qualified people who have registered. The owner-builder question was brought up. Mr. Ogram told the members that he sat on the building board in New Smyrna Beach and a licensed electrician is required to wire a whole house and must take out the permit. Mr. Vanzin explained that the Board has discussed this before, noting that as a licensed builder he has to hire a licensed electrician, plumber and mechanical man. He cannot do it himself. He questions why the owner-builder is permitted to do this type of work without a license. Mr. Vanzin stated that the City Council should be in favor of registering sub-contractors, because they have already set up the guidelines that if you're going to be in business you have to have a City license. Mr. Cole referred to Mr. Fischer's earlier comment that some of the non- licensed contractors have merged with licensed contractors, and asked how long it would be before some of those corporations are dissolved. This was discussed at length. Mr. Cole stated that the non-licensed contractor could buyout the licensed contractor and continue to build. Mr. Fischer said that when new contractors come into the area they have been very cooperative about filing the form he has requested. He asked if the Board would want to review new contractors coming into the area. The members agreed that it would be wrong to hold a builder up. They felt that if a contractor has a license to build in the State of Florida he should be able to build here. Mr. Vanzin said he did not feel the problem is with the licensed contractor; he feels that the problem is with the sub-contractors. They may be well qualified, but they should register with the City and take out a City license. The members agreed that they support Mr. Fischer in his effort to have sub-contractors register with the City; this requirement is already on the books. Mr. Ogram asked about the function of the Building Code Board. Mr. Fischer said that some of the reasons for the Board is to clarify and adjust some of the problems in building in Chapter 7 that relate to each and every person';s field. If there is a building violation it would go to the Board. Also, if someone has a complaint against the Building Inspector they could go before the Board. Referring again to the need to have sub-contractors produce a certificate of competency card and acquire a City license to operate within the City, the members agreed that the Code requires this. Mr. Fischer said that perhaps a listing of the sub-contractors could be required, and they would be required to carry insurance, which would protect anyone they had working Building Code Board 10-18-84 - 2 - . . o o " . for them. The members asked the secretary to direct a letter to the City Council advising that the Board supports Mr. Fischer in his endeavor to have all sub-contractors register with the City, as is now required by the Code in Section 7-132. This will enable the City to require payment of the occupational license fee. This motion was made by Mr. Cole and seconded by Mr. Ogram, and CARRIED 3-0. On other business, Mr. Cole asked about the storm water problem. Mr. Fischer said there was a meeting with the Planning and Zoning Board and City Council to discuss the matter. Mr. Fischer said that he would like to go with the City Engineer to look at a couple of typical examples of back yard flooding to come up with some solutions. He explained that in Florida Shores there was created a drainage system along the front. The problem, there was discussed at length. He noted that the Volusia County Health Department requires the tanks to set at 30"; he feels part of the problem is that the water table is very high at this time because of high tides. Various methods of controlling the water were outlined. Mr. Fischer recommended ditching at the back of the homes in some blocks to move it to the cross streets. Mr. Cole asked if anyone has ever chal- lmged the Health Department on some of their decisions. Mr. Fischer said that he has talked them out of a few inches, but once the perk test is done the base of the tank is to be 12 inches above the water table. Mr. Vanzin asked about the comments made by Mr. John Gross in the minutes of August 6, when he stated that the telephone company is digging up a hole 25 feet deep west of Riverside Drive. The secretary explained that this question was never brought to the Building Code Board, and it is not known whether the City Attorney has looked into it. The members discussed the need for another member of the Board. Gary Butt's name was mentioned since he is an air conditioning and heating man. Mr. Butt was formerly on the Board of Adjustment, it was noted. Mr. Cole motioned to adjourn the meeting. The meeting was adjourned at 8:55 p.m. Minutes submitted by Joan Taylor Building Code Board October 18, 1984 - 3 - \