Loading...
03-03-1994 CITY OF EDGEWATER BUILDING TRADES REGULATORY AND APPEALS BOARD SPECIAL MEETING MARCH 03, 1994 7:00 P.M. Chairman Les Ogram called to order the Special Meeting of the Building Trades Regulatory and Appeal Board on Thursday march 03, 1994 at 7:00 in the Community Center. ROLL CALL: Members present were John Ciaffoni, Michael Nelson, Robert Howard, Gary Butt, Douglas Cole, Lester Yarnell, and Chairman Les Ogram. Also present were Bob Dunn, Building Official, Frank Conrey, Electrical Inspector, Mark P. Karet, Director of Community Development, Krista Storey, City Attorney, and Tonya Elliott, Recording Secretary. APPROVAL OF MINUTES: None at this time. UNFINISHED BUSINESS: None at this time. NEW BUSINESS: Chairman Ogram welcomed guest Mr. Dunn, Mr. Conrey, Mr. Karet, and Ms. Storey. Chairman Ogram said the purpose of the meeting was to get to know these people, and to determine the functions of the Board. Mr. Dunn began by introducing himself as the new Building Official and briefly explained what he has been doing since he was hired, and some of the changes that have taken place in the Building Department. Chairman Ogram said he did not expect to hear that much, and was glad to hear of the much needed changes. He then asked Mr. Conrey and Mr. Karet if they had any comments. Mr. Conrey said the 1993 Electrical Code is now being used. Mr. Karet said he is happy to have Mr. Dunn on staff to take a fresh look at things and make positive changes. Chairman Ogram then turned the meeting over to Ms. Storey. Ms. Storey said Mr. Dunn has pulled from the Building Code the applicable provisions of what is referred to as the Construction Board of Adjustment and Appeals. Mr. Butt asked if that was the official name of the Board. Building Trades Regulatory and Appeals Board March 03, 1994 Page -02- Ms. Storey said no. However, the Board is patterned after it which is a Building Code requirement for the purpose of hearing appeals to the Building Officials decisions and asked Mr. Dunn to further explain. Mr. Dunn said the format is set up that if a contractor or owner /builder has an appeal to a decision made by the Building Official they can present that appeal to the Board. Then it would be up to the Board to make a decision. Ms. Storey said that under the current City Ordinance which references this type of function, the last revision was in 1986, and from a staff and legal prospective it probably needs to be updated. Ms. Storey said other provisions in the ordinance mention dealing with contractor certification, and it is her understanding that the Board has not been involved with that for quite some time. Chairman Ogram said at one time it was a responsibility of the Board. Ms. Storey said there is also mention in the code the Board can make recommendations to Staff and City Council as to code revisions and things of that nature. Chairman Ogram asked who the Board answers to. Ms. Storey said the Board serves at the pleasure of City Council, and gave a brief overview of Boards that are appointed by City Council. There was discussion on the responsibility of hearing appeals. Mr. Howard said the Board can listen to cases if there is a question as to the credentials of a contractor. Mr. Howard went on to say there have been some things to come up and the Board members feel they have been by- passed. Mr. Howard said the Board is not being used correctly, and would like to be more involved. Mr. Butt brought up the Proposed Fire Ordinance they were asked to review. There was discussion about the time spent reviewing the ordinance, and the outcome of their review. Building Trades Regulatory and Appeals Board March 03, 1994 Page -03- Chairman Ogram said when he went to Council to inform them of the decision the Board had reached, he was embarrassed and resented the way he was treated. Mr. Howard said there was another item he wished to discuss. He said according to the By -Laws, the Board reserves the right to review applicants for the position of Building Official, and the Board was totally ignored on this. Chairman Ogram said the Board did not want to hire the Building Official, only help in the applicant review process. Mr. Karet responded to the issue of hiring the Building Official. There was discussion on who is delegated to hire staff within the City, and how this procedure has changed since the new City Charter was adopted in 1992. The Board further discussed their functions, and how these have changed in the last 5 years. Ms. Storey said Boards are no longer involved with administrative decisions. The Board continued to discuss their desire to be more involved with appeals, contractor licensing or any other problems that may arise. Mr. Karet said most people would rather comply with code than wait for an appeal. Chairman Ogram asked if there was any other questions or comments. Being none a motion was made to adjourn and seconded. Meeting adjourned at 8:07 p.m. Minutes Respectfully Submitted, Tonya Elliott, Recording Secretary /tle