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06-21-1984 ~ ~ <J CITY OF EDGEWATER Building Code Board June 21, 1984 Minutes Chairman Howard called the meeting to order at 7:06 p.m. in the Community Center. ROLL CALL Members present: Messrs. Howard, Monaco, Vanzin and Troutner. Absent: Mr. Cole. Also present: Mr. Dennis Fischer, Building Official and Mrs. Taylor, Secretary. Also present were Mr. Frank Opal and a member of the press. APPROVAL OF MINUTES Mr. Vanzin motioned to approve the minutes of the April 19, 1984 meeting. The motion was seconded by Mr. Monaco and CARRIED 4-0. OLD BUSINESS Approval of revised By-Laws - Mr. Howard pointed out that the City Attorney has recommended two changes to the By-Laws, which are: Throughout the By-Laws the Building Code Board shall be referred to as the Building Code Board (Board of Adjustments and Appeals), and Paragraph 9 - voting - A concurring vote by, and the actual presence of at least a majority of all the members of the Board shall be required to decide matters before the Board, as opposed to a majority vote of a quorum. Mr. Troutner motioned to approve the recommended changes to the By-Laws, seconded by Mr. Vanzin. The motion CARRIED 4-0. It was noted that these revised By-Laws will be sent back to Council for final approval. The Chairman distributed the Certificates of Appreciation from tha City Council to Mr. Vanzin and Mr. Troutner, who were unable to attend the Appreciation Dinner. Owner/Builder Requirements Mr. Howard turned this portion of the meeting over to Mr. Fischer, Building Official. Mr. Fischer said that House Bill 125 requires that the owner of a property be listed on the building permit. This bill was just recently passed. It provides that applications for building permits include the name. and, address of the real property owner, the contractor and a description of the property. This goes into effect October 1, 1984. Mr. Fischer asked if the Board members had any suggestions for ways that verification of ownership could be ascertained. It was pointed out that the Assessor's Office has an up to date report of property transactions. Mr. Fischer presented a list of those owner/builders who have applied for permits since he became Building Official for the City on January 10. There have been a total of 29 permits issued to owner/builders. They are required to sign an affidavit, which includes a Statement of Fact, which informs the owner/builder that he will take most of the responsi- bility for the building and that he or she will actually occupy the dwelling. There is a notice attached informing them of the State Statute law 489, Part 1, with the dos and don'ts and why we have construction laws in the State of Florida. It clearly states that the home will not be offered for sale or lease. Proof of sale or lease or offering for sale or lease of more than one structure by the owner/builder within one year after completion of same is presumed evidence that construction was under- taken for the purpose of sale or lease. Violation of this is considered a misdemeanor in the first degree. Mr. Fischer informed the members that the State Department of Regulation rep- rese~~tive wasin the office recently checking into three possible vio- lations. J ~ ~ ~ Mr. Fischer stated that his office is now working closely with the Water Department to keep tabs on property owner changes. The Water Department informs the Building Office when the owner's address is changed. They are only changed when the property is sold. Mr. Vanzin said he has been contacted by registered builders in the past few days and they are planning to start their own Home Builders Association here. There are about 30 members, some builders and some subcontractors. The problem with owner/builders is one of the reasons. Mr. Fischer said that between now and September, when competency cards are due, he would like to see some type of mass registration for subs and contractors. This will make his department aware of who is working out there in the field. Mr. Howard brought out that the Port Orange ordinance which had been recommended be adopted was returned to the Board by Council as being too massive, and there are some repetitious items. He stated that the Board is being asked to review the entire Building Code. He felt the Board would need to go into a series of special meetings to do that. Mr. Howard again referred to the verification of the owner/builder. He did not feel that the burden of proof should be on the shoulders of the building department. He suggested the owner/builder could be required to go to his realtor and get a notarized letter stating that this property was sold, or a copy of the deed, whichever is quicker. If an attorney is involved, this statement could come from him. Mr. Howard recommended that a letter be sent to the City Council informing them of the action of the Board regarding the ordinance and the reason the Board is not sending a specific ordinance back to them at this time. The Board will review the Building Code and insert the pertinent data which will cover the owner/builder. Mr. Fischer said he reviewed Chapter 7 of the Building Codes of Edgewater. He said that the City is almost nine years behind in formal adoption of a number of the codes. He reported further that he met with the Volusia County Inspector's Association, with whom he meets on a monthly basis, and was asked along with other inspectors to form a committee this year to try to get all of Volusia County to pass uniformly the 1985 Codes as th~all come out in 1985. The policy making people who work on the Statutes will meet with them on a committee to revise as much as they can each indi- vidual city to uniform the codes, the code interpretations and the inspec- tions throughout Volusia County. Mr. Fischer as accepted appointment to participate on a committee with them. He recommended putting Edgewater's Chapter 7 on hold until the work of this committee is completed. Mr. Fischer said that they also want to uniform the permitting fee schedule. He has been asked by City Council to look into the fee schedule for the City, and will put that on hold until this committee has completed its work. Mr. Fischer stated that the President of the Volusia County Inspector's Association has done a tremendous job and there should be some dramatic changes ih the building industry if he stays in office a few more years and it will all be to the good. Mr. Fischer suggested that City Council be informed that he has been appointed to a position on this committee for the total revision of the 1985 County Codes, and the revision of the Edgewater Building Code should be put on hold until the uniform 1985 code study is completed. Mr. Fischer said the first meeting of the committee will be around the first of August. Mr. Howard asked that the City Council be advised that the Board is with- drawing their recommendation to adopt an ordinance similar to the Port Orange ordinance at this time. Mr. Fischer said that he would include this in his letter to City Council. Building Code Board June 21, 1984 - 2 - ~ o Q The members briefly discussed their recommendation that electrical, mechanical and plumbing work be signed 'off by registered people. Mr. Fischer said he was aware that the Home Builder's Association is in favor of these three trades being done by licensed contractors. MISCELLANEOUS Mr. Opal, in the audience, mentioned that House Bill 10 has passed, which deals with conflict of interest. Mr. Howard suggested that Mr. Opal provide the members with a copy of this bill at the next meeting. The meeting was adjourned at 7:47 p.m. Minutes submitted by Joan Taylor Building Code Board June 21, 1984 - 3 -