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11-29-1983 -, ~ ~ ~ CITY OF EDGEWATER Building Code Board November 29, 1983 Minutes Mr. Howard called the regular meeting of the Building Code Board to order at 7:00 p.m. in the Shuffleboard Clubhouse. Members present: Messrs. Howard, Cole, Hall and Vanzin. Absent: Mr. Troutner. Also present: Mrs. Taylor, Secretary. APPROVAL OF MINUTES A motion was made by Mr. Hall to approve the minutes of the September 21, 1983 Special meeting. Mr. Cole seconded the motion, which CARRIED 3-0. Mr. Howard abstained from voting as he was not present at the September 21 meeting. OLD BUSINESS Mr. Howard suggested that the subject of floor heights of buildings be discussed first. Mr. Vanzin commented that most residences have septic tanks, and when you get a permit for a septic tank the Health Department tells you how high to have it, but Mr. Hall said that if your property is high and in good sand, you could have the house set at 12 inches, but the City requires 24. Mr. Cole said that when new houses go in next to an old house they are flooding them out; they wanted to give the Building Official authority to reduce it and average it out within the block. Mr. Howard pointed out that there is a problem especially in Wildwood and Florida Shores. Mr. Howard raised the question of whether this was a problem for the Board or for the City Council and the engineering staff. Mr. Hall made a motion to write a letter to City Council and ask them to contact the City's engineers and ask them to make a study of the floor height for all the City of Edgewater. If an individual owner has a problem they can come to this Board. Mr. Cole seconded the motion. Mr. Hall said that if an individual came to the Board before he got his house started, the Board could consider the case and make a recommendation to Council that they let him put the house at 12 inches, or whatever is appropriate. After further discussion Mr. Hall retracted his motion, Mr. Cole retracted his second, and Mr. Hall made a new motion that the Board send a letter to Council asking that a City Engineer be present at the next Building Code Board meeting and to consider his making a study of floor elevation heights for all the City. Mr. Cole seconded the motion. Mr. Cole asked that the record show that the Board has had several complaints over the past two years about the floor height, and it has been unable to do anything about it. The motion CARRIED 4-0. Recommendation for approval by a State certified subcontractor for work done by an owner/builder. The members reviewed Ordinance 11-77 from New Smyrna Beach which prohibits electrical construction without approval of the Building Trades Examining Board. Mr. Howard said that apparently Council feels that the Building Code Board's recommendation is taking away the rights of the owner/builder and is costing him money unjustly. It is the Board's feeling that for the health, safety and welfare of those living in the dwellings, someone qualified other than the building inspector should observe the final inspec- tion stage. They also feel that the owner/builder should have the same responsibilities of a contractor. Mr. Vanzin remarked that the contractor and the owner/builder should be held responsible for the house for a certain number of years. He cited a case where the risers in the basement stairs of a home were not the same and someone was injured from a fall, and the builder had to pay damages. He feels very strongly that an owner/builder should have a certified electrician, plumber and mechanical man sign off on a building. Mr. Vanzin said that he would check to see if there are any court cases in Florida, if the Board would want to table the matter. Mr. Howard said he would be glad to check with surrounding cities to get copies of affidavits used by them ~ i Q o Mr. Howard raised the idea that any work in plumbing, electrical, heating, ventilating and air conditioning over a certain figure must be installed by a State licensed or State certified practitioner. Mr. Vanzin said that it makes sense that if you have to have a license to do wiring, someone else shouldn1t be able to do it. Mr. Hall motioned to recommend to City Council that the building code ordinance be changed to state that any work in electrical, plumbing, heating, ventilating or air conditioning in excess of $500.00 must be installed by either a State certified or state registered practitioner of the trade. Mr. Cole seconded the motion. The motion CARRIED 4-0. Mr. Vanzin made a motion to table the subject of owner/builder work until further research on the affidavits and the Washington report on court cases is received. This motion was seconded by Mr. Hall and CARRIED 4-0. Preparation of By-Laws The members reviewed the Rules and Regulations of the Board of Adjustments and the New Smyrna Beach Ordinance No. 10-74 creating a Building Trades Examining Board, and directed the secretary to prepare By-Laws for the Board, drawing information from both papers. Mr. Hall made a motion to approve the proposed By-Laws. The motion was seconded by Mr. Vanzin and was UNANIMOUSLY approved. Miscellaneous The members discussed the procedure followed for selecting a Building Official for the City of Edgewater. They felt that as professional people their expertise in the building trades should be used by the Council and their advice sought in the selection of a Building Official. Mr. Vanzin motioned to send a letter to Council recommending that they reserve the right to orally interview any prospect for the position of Building Official or Building Inspector prior to that prospect being interviewed by Council. Furthermore, that any positive recommendation from this Board to Council for the hiring of either Building Official or Building Inspector be given serious consideration by Council. Mr. Hall seconded the motion, which CARRIED 4-0. The meeting was adjourned at 8:30 p.m. Minutes submitted by Joan Taylor. Building Code Board Regular Meeting November 29, 1983 - 2 -