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02-17-1983 -"' ,'" u o CITY OF EDGEWATER BUILDING CODE BOARD February 17, 1983 Minutes Chairman Austin called the meeting to order at 7:10 p.m. ln the conference area of the Community Center. ROLL CALL Members present: Messrs. Austin, Hall, Howard and Cole. Absent: Mr. Troutner. Also present: Charlie Murphy, Building Inspector, Susan Wadsworth, Deputy City Clerk, and Joan Taylor, Secretary. APPROVAL OF MINUTES The minutes of the July 15, 1982 meeting were UNANIMOUSLY approved, as submitted. Mrs. Wadsworth administered the oath of office to all members present. OLD BUSINESS Mr. Austin noted that all of the recommendations made to Council as a result of the last meeting were not approved. These items will be taken up again at this meeting. Mr. Newell of 1704 Royal Palm Drive was in the audience and was invited to speak to the Board concerning the present ordinance which requires the slab for new construction to be two feet above the road. His house was built approximately six years ago and the slab sits about 8" above the crown of the road. He is concerned about the new ordinance requiring two feet. The three lots surrounding his property are vacant. This requirement will leave his lot sitting in a "hole". It is his understanding that the State and Health Depart- ment sets it relative to the top level of the septic tank; he recommends the City adopt the State standards. This would vary according to the ground con- ditions in the neighborhood. The present ordinance requires a lot of un- necessary fill for the builder and could cause a lot of damage to the neighbors. Mr. Austin said he had discussed this with Mr. Newell and Mr. Murphy, and it was Mr. Murphy's suggestion that the Board maMe a recommendation to the Coun- cil to change the Code to let the County set the elevation by their septic tank elevation, to determine what the house elevation would be. There was some discussion as to whether their recommendation for a change in the ordinance to lower the elevation should be for Edgewater as a whole or for Florida Shores area only and it was agreed that it should be for Edge- water overall, and should be from 12 to 18 inches. Mr. Howard said that in areas to be developed where they have sewers the elevation will have to be set at 12" or 18". This would give the water a chance to perk instead of running into the street. Mr. Austin observed that the crown of the road is constantly changing because the roads are graded almost daily. The motion was made by Mr. Howard and seconded by Mr. Hall to recommend to Council that in all areas within the incorporated limits of the City of Edgewater a minimum finished floor elevation of 12" above the crown of the road shall be established unless an increased height of elevation is required by the County Health Department for the elevation of septic tanks. Finished floor elevations shall generally conform to the developed surrounding pro- perties in the confines of that City block. The motion CARRIED 4-0. It was agreed that this will protect the people, benefit the developers, inprove the drainage system, as it will give the water time to perk into the owner's ground, and help the City. ~ ~ The next item discussed concerned the recommendation of the Board that all construction in the City be reviewed by State Certified or State Registered subcontractors. Mr. Murphy said that he recommended that this be done. It was agreed that discussion of this item be postponed until the City Attorney gave his opinion. The next matter reviewed was the reinspection fee increase for extra inspec- tions. All members agreed that the present fee is outdated and this recom- mendation should go back to Council for their consideration. Mr. Murphy suggested that guidelines be established by the Building Code Board for the duties of the Building Official and his inspectors. It is his recommendation that the Building Inspector be certified within a year of his employment.by the Building Official's Association. He said that if you have a man who does this you will have a man who is competent and he will protect the City. The City will be liable for lawsuits. When you have a Building Inspector Department, with employees, he recommended that there be a Building Inspector-Trainee program set up. If the man does not know his business, the Building Code Board will be holding hearings constantly. The motion was made by Mr. Howard, and seconded by Mr. Hall, that Section 102, Organization, Sub-section 102.1 Building Official, paragraph (b) of the Standard Building Code have added to the requirements: The Building Official must be certified within a twelve (12) month period from his appointment. Sub-section 102.2 Inspectors. The inspector appointed shall be, within twelve (12) months of appointment, certified by the Building Officials Association of Florida or be an Inspector-Trainee who must be able to become certified by the Building Officials Association of Florida within five (5) years. The motion CARRIED 4-0. The members felt that it was a part of their duties to interview applicants for Building Inspectors. Mr. Murphy agreed that they should do the inter- viewing and make recommendations to Council. Mrs. Taylor was asked to find out if the Building Code Board members needed to file a Financial Statement. The meeting was adjourned at 8:15 p.m. Building Code Board Meeting February 17, 1983 - 2 -