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HomeMy WebLinkAboutMinutes Electrical Advisory Board - 06/15/2010 - Special i Minutes of the Electrical Advisory Board RECEI Special Meeting VED Tuesday,June 15,2010 Time: 10:00 a.m. IAN 2 8 ZOII 2406 Leopard $ Corpus Christi,Texas CITY SECRET Development Services ARV'S OFFICE 3rd Floor Fire Department Conference Room I. Call to Order The meeting was called to order at 10:21 a.m. 11. Roll Call Board members present: Craig Loving, Bhaskar Patel,Jared Merdes,David Schley, William Pitchford, and Tino Vasquez. Billy Ashcroft joined member shortly after start cf meeting. Lee Montgomery arrived at approximately 10:35 a.m. Staff present: Stephen Draper,David Lewis, Elsa Martinez Ill. Review and Discuss the Elimination of Electrical Re-outs Mr. Stephen Draper addressed the topic of electrical re-outs. lie informed this service is a consumer-provider issue. Mr. Draper informed that the Department would continue performing inspections on meters when electricians feel that one is warranted. Board members engaged in a discussion on the costs of inspections and safety issues. Mr. Patel shared his concerns that if left to the provider and the customer, one or both could cut corners and compromise safety. Mr. Merdes informed he would like to know what other jurisdictions in the same geographical area, such as San Antonio or Houston, doing with electrical re-outs and if they had any problems not doing electrical re-outs at all Mr. Ashcraft informed of ADP's procedures with disconnect services. Mr. Vasquez inquired about the details of a disconnect and the service wires. Mr. Ashcroft informed that they do not look inside the breaker panel, but do look at the meter can. Mr. Vasquez inquired for the reasons the City seeks to eliminate electrical re-outs. Mr. Draper informed of the three reasons: 1)financial—not a cost effective service; 2) the City's policy is one that affects the masses rather than one affecting a few; 3) each property owner has a vested interest in his/her property and maintains the responsibility and liability for said property. Mr. Vasquez inquired of the City's responsibility to the citizens of Corpus Christi. Board members consensus is that the electrical re-outs is a safety service and should continue. Mr. Merdes voiced that if cost is the underlying concern, then perhaps staff needs to revisit the current fees and compare with national fees to see what recommendations could be brought to this board for changes. Board members continued discussion on other ideas that could be considered in lieu of electrical re-outs. Mr. Vasquez addressed Mr. Draper and Mr. Lewis suggesting that if they need to increase fee.v, then they need to analyze the operating costs in order to continue this service. Mr. Draper informed board members that discussion could continue into the next meeting to allow the opportunity for an attorney to be present to answer questions board members have on some of the ideas discussed and also to disclose electrical inspections statistics. Mr. Vasquez turned meeting over to Mr.Montgomery. 1V. Review and Discuss Hurricane Preparedness Efforts Mr. Lewis and Mr. Draper addressed the staffs plans to deal with emergency situations in the event of a hurricane. Mr. Draper shared that he has been in communication with the Texas Department of Safety to discuss available resources to the City should these be needed Mr. Ashcrafi informed that AEP has planned with City staff and identified staging areas for setup to conduct business should such event occurred. SCANNED • Minutes of the Electrical Advisory Board Special Meeting June 15,2010 Page 2 V. Review and Discuss A Proposal to Abandon City Electrical Licenses Mr. Lewis informed that the City has ceased the exam and the issuance of electrical licenses, but has kept the renewal process. Mr. Lewis informed that the State accommodates individuals who have been working under a regional or municipal license. The state has a ninety day window in which an individual may apply for a state license without having to take the exam. Mr. Lewis informed that journeyman who have state licenses are not registered. He added that contractors and master electricians would be registered in the same manner as other stale licensed individuals. Mr. Merdes made a motion for the City to abandon the process of issuing city electrical licenses; the motion was seconded by Mr. Patel. The motion carried unanimously. VI. Review and Discuss an Outline on Wind Turbine Safety Rules Mr. Lewis informed that the purpose of this discussion is to reinforce AEP concerns regarding power lines. He informed that wind turbines have elements of engineering, wind standards, slate laws, and city ordinance. Mr. Lewis informed there has been a slow path hut staff expects an increasing path towards the expansion of wind driven generators. Mr. Draper informed the board that he would bring the City's ordinance to the next meeting and would ask a staff from the Legal department to he present to discuss the ordinance. VII. Review and Discuss Increases in Fees for Electrical Permitting Mr. Draper informed that the department seeks to increase the fees for electrical permits and all building permits. He explained that the staff contemplates assessing new fees based on valuation of a project. Mr. Draper shared that one of the objectives from budget management office is to get Development Services to he self-sufficient. Mr. Draper informed he will forward the proposed fees to board members via e-mail MK Draper shared that there will be a minimum cost for permits. He informed that in the first year, the minimum would be$80, second year, $85, and third year, $90. VIII. Public Comments Board members may not deliberate or make a decision on any matter presented at this tune. 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. No one addressed the board during public forum. IX. Adjourn The meeting was adjourned at 10:57 a.m. Presidi : Officer