Loading...
HomeMy WebLinkAboutMinutes Electrical Advisory Board - 06/19/2008 111110 NSW 0 26 2728 29 itis "10 Electrical Advisory Board Nti June 19,2008 Minutes ry w o w Board Members Present: Lee Montgomery Don Fretwell T ' m Tino Vasquez Billy Ashcroft e Craig Loving Jared Merdes Ce,s� Bhaster Patel David Shury ' `,fl]et Zttt% Michael Riley Members Absent: Daniel Dibble Staff Members Present: Joe Elliott,Interim Building Official David Lewis,Chief Electrical Inspector Yvette Aguilar,City's Legal Representative Sylvia Sanchez,Recording Secretary Call to Order: Meeting was call to order by Lee Montgomery at 3:12 p.m. Approval of minutes for March 20,2008: Motion was made by Billy Ashcraft and second by Bhasker Patel for approval of the minutes for meeting on May 22,2008. Motion carried unanimously. 2008 National Electrical Codes: Joe Elliott reminded the board that city's management's decision is to adopt the 2008 NEC. The state will be moving to the 2008 NEC by the year end. Staff is hoping that board moves swiftly through 2008 NEC due to there will not be a lot of time to duel on code issues. Staffs direction is to adopt the code by January 2009. The board cart go back and add a local code amendment if something is missed. Mr.Montgomery added that there are several questions about the new code on selective coordination. There will be a seminar next week by Cutler Hammer on this topic at Mr. Montgomery's office; an invitation will be sent to board members and staff.. This will be a good opportunity for all board members to receive the information at the same time and ask any questions. There will be other vendors (AEP, Union Groups, etc) that will have other information reference safety equipment and materials for contractors; this will be beneficial to the board. Joe Elliott stated that staff's target is to try to get the agenda for second reading on December's meeting. This will put the 2008 NEC effective January 2009. There will probably be several items to look at in the administrative section because of items that were there before the licensing law went into effect. Management has approved to order code books for all board members. David Lewis will attend a seminar in July on changes to the 2008 NEC. The state is looking into adopting the 2008 NEC effective September 2008. David Lewis added that Master Electricians do their continual education on the 2008 NEC. Staff will work on scheduling some contractor seminar sessions for the upcoming months to inform all interested parties of the adoption of new codes(board members are also invited). Staff will post notices in the lobby informing customers that board members are going through the new code adoption process. Johnson Supply will also make their meeting room available if additional meetings are needed. Joe reminded board members to please review current codes in the chapter 14 of city ordinance(blue cover book issued to board members in prior meetings). The review process of the new codes will most likely begin in this area(administration section). Mr. Montgomery stated that board members should try to review current electrical amendments and compare them to the 2008 amendments. Change in Local Amendments: Mr. Montgomery reminded board members of the motion made in last month's meeting which carried unanimously and read as follows: Page l of 2 SCANNED r `rI > for commercial buildings a re-out inspection is required if the energy has been disconnected for a period more than five(5)days,excepting weekends and holidays; for residential buildings a re-out inspection is required if the energy has been disconnected for a period of more than three(3)months. Jay Reining will review verbiage and will get agenda ready for council to approve. New Members: New board members (Jared Merdes and David Shury) stated that their on-line training has been completed. Sylvia Sanchez will verify this information with City Secretary's Office. Interim Building Office Report: Joe Elliott stated that department received the approval to spend approximately$10,000 on new code books for all boards (Electrical, Building, and Plumbing/Mechanical). It is very important that board members be present in the upcoming board meetings. Management has narrowed their selection for the department's third party assistance down to one contractor, Management is currently working with Purchasing on fine tuning any contractual issues and getting it ready for council approval. The third party assistance is for building,plan review, additional inspectors in all trades and other staff shortages. Staff is still working on the one vacant Electrical Inspector position. David Lewis stated that the state has set town hall meetings in various places of the state,where their Compliance Division Staff will be visiting these sites to get familiarize and involve with local agency staff and other interested parties (board members, contractors, electrician, inspectors, etc). Lee Montgomery inquired if there have been any enforcement activities by the state in the city of Corpus Christi. The Texas Department of Licensing and Reguhniorr(RDLR) has ,esponded on complaints They received on a company cati€d-F[atsdylvlairwho was adveffising as an electrical business and another company call Allied Electric (they both did not have a stated license). TDLR has a website where complaints can be submitted. Joe Elliott explained that typically when TDLR wants to go into an investigation they will come to a community,find a structure and call various vendors to get proposals on work they want done. They will review the proposals that are furnished to them. They will also review license numbers, if vehicles are marked properly, etc. They will verify if there are any unlicensed contractors. TDLR will proceed on issuing seize and decease orders and administrative penalties on any unlicensed contractor. TDLR does not focus on permits;they focus on compliance with municipal ordinances by license individuals. Mr. Montgomery stated that he has heard from developers and other customers that are trying to get building permits. Several have complained that it seems the department has a road block on permits and it's very difficult to get permits and get plans approved. Joe Elliott stated that management has given a direction to follow the plan review and pemiitting process. Timeline for new commercial review is 20 days, 14 days for tenant finish outs and 9 days for revisions. The codes and adopted ordinance must be followed;staff is not permitted to red line plans. Correction on plans must be resubmitted to the department. The department is currently working on purchasing new software called Project Dox. The software will allow customers to submit their plans in an electronic format. Board members requested for staff to schedule a plan status presentation in an upcoming board meeting. Petition from Audience: None Adjournment: A motion to adjourn was made by Bhaster Patel, second by Tino Vasquez. Motion canied. Meeting adjourned at 4:45 p.m. Page 2 of 2