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HomeMy WebLinkAboutMinutes Building Code Board Of Appeals - 05/20/2010 Minutes of the Building Code Board of Appeals Regular Meeting RECEIVED Thursday,May 20,2010 JUL Time: 1:30 p.m. 2010 2406 Leopard •Corpus Christi,Texas 78405 Fire Department Conference Room CITY SECRETARY'S p�CE (3rd Floor Development Services Building) 1. Call to Order The meeting was called to order at 1:32 p.m. II. Roll Call Board members present: Cliff Atnip,John Dykema, Bill Ewing, Chris Hamilton, and Mike Lippincott. Board members absent: John Kendall and Ricardo Martinez City staff present: Stephen Draper, Deborah Brown,Steve Van Patten, and Elsa Martinez III. Address Absences from April 15,2010,Meeting The board addressed and excused absences of Bill Ewing and Mike Lippincott from the April 15, 2010. IV. Approval of Minutes: April 15,2010,Regular Meeting Mr. Hamilton made a motion to approve the minutes of the April 15, 2010, regular meeting as presented; the motion was seconded by Mr. Dykema. The motion carried unanimously. V. Review,Discuss,and Act as Appropriate on Submitting a Recommendation to City Council to Amend the City's Charter on a Re-alignment of the Serving Terms for the Building Code Board of Appeals After some discussion on recommending a change to the terms of the Building Code Board of Appeals, Mr. Dykema made a motion to recommend to City Council for the serving terms to change from four to three years limiting the maximum serving time to six years. The motion was seconded by Mr. Lippincott. Mr. Atnip re-opened the floor for further discussion. After discussion, Mr.Atnip moved to take a vote. The motion failed. Mr. Hamilton made a motion to recommend to City Council for the serving terms to change from four to two years; the motion was seconded by Mr. Lippincott. The motion carried unanimously. The board requested from Ms. Deborah Brown, Assistant City Attorney, an ordinance the recommended changes. Ms. Brown acknowledged the board's request and asked Mr. Draper if he could prepare the agenda memo which needs to be prepared for City Council's consideration of the recommended changes. VI. Discuss and Act as Appropriate on Submitting a Recommendation to Fill Board Positions Currently Occupied by Cliff Atnip (community member not related to building industry) and Ricardo Martinez (Engineer) Mr. Dykema made a motion to submit a recommendation for the re-appointment of Ricardo Martinez to the Building Code Board of Appeals;the motion was seconded by Mr. Hamilton. This item was left on continuance for future consideration. SCANNED Minutes of the Building Code Board of Appeals Regular Meeting May 20,2010 Page 2 VII. Review and Discuss the Proposed Amendments to the 2009 International Building Codes A brief update was given to the board on where their recommendations stand. Ms. Brown informed that she is making efforts to try to work on formatting the recommendations into ordinance format as her time and schedule allows. She informed that she currently has a number of projects that she's working on according to the direction she's receiving from Mr. Johnny Perales, Assistant City Manager for Engineering and Development Services. The board inquired about City staff's effort to educate the community on the forthcoming changes. Mr. Draper informed that he is working with the larger organizations to make them aware of the changes. He added that he will be at the builders professional institute next week and has made arrangements for them to be in Corpus Christi in October to offer classes that will explain the significant changes. He informed that the classes will be open to the engineering, architects and building community and that continuing education credits will be available as well. Mr. Atnip recommended for the City to consider advertising through the local newspaper to help make the community aware of the forthcoming changes. Ms. Brown re-directed the board attention Item VI. of this agenda concerning recommendations to fill board vacancies. She reminded that board that they took action to submit a recommendation for the re-appointment of Mr. Martinez. She asked if they wished to keep this action in place. She reminded them that if this recommendation was submitted and accepted by council, his appointment would be for a four-year term. After a brief discussion, Mr. Dykema rescinded the motion he previously made; the motion was seconded by Mr. Hamilton, and carried through unanimously. The board placed Item VI. on continuance for future discussion and action. VIII. Review and Discuss Permitting Fees Schedule The board engaged in a discussion with City staff regarding the increase of building permit fees. After some discussion, Mr. Draper invited the board to provide feedback that City staff could consider while trying to finalize the fees schedules. Board members asked Mr. Draper to provide relative information that would substantiate the new fees schedules. IX. Building Official's Report A. Department Updates B. Staffing Mr. Draper informed that data for the first quarter of 2010, in comparison to 2007, indicates that the number of permits is down. However, the valuation and revenue generated were comparable, which is an indicator that perhaps we'll be seeing a good second quarter. Mr. Draper added that staff is not certain at this point in time of what the third and fourth quarter might be. Mr. Atnip requested a copy of the financials for the department. Minutes of the Building Code Board of Appeals Regular Meeting May 20,2010 Page 3 X. Public Comments Board members may not deliberate or make a decision on any matter presented at this time. The Open Meetings Act limits Board response to only two options: I)a statement of specific factual information given in response to an inquiry; or 2) a recitation of existing policy in response to the inquiry. Any deliberation of or decision about the subject shall be limited to a proposal to place the subject on the agenda for a subsequent meeting. Ms. Morey addressed the board with the following comments: She asked if the changes sought in the board terms would be staggered. On the subject of education for the community, she informed that the architects association will be bringing significant changes training on or about August 20m. She informed that these types of training usually address new construction mostly. She informed that one full day of training would be beneficial. On the note of permit fees, she informed that there has not been good enforcement prior to the time Mr. Draper came on board. She added that the building code is becoming more complex. She informed that City staff needs to get out as many fire violations taken care of before granting the permit. Another topic addressed by Ms. Morey was renovations. She expressed that if the architect's job is more difficult on renovations, then the plan reviewers job will be more difficult in relation to the costs. She recommended fees on renovations needs to be thought through. Xl. Identify items to be placed on next agenda a. Projects and valuations b. Board terms XII. Adjourn Th, meeting was adjourned at 2:33 p.m. Presiding Offi,-r