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HomeMy WebLinkAboutMinutes Mechanical/Plumbing Advisory Board - 06/14/2012MINUTES OF REGULAR MEETING Mechanical/Plumbing Advisory Board Thursday, June 14, 2012 Time: 2 p.m. 2406 Leopard St., Corpus Christi, Texas 78408 Development Services 3rd Floor, Fire Department's Training Room 1. Call to Order Meeting was called to order at 2:05 p.m. 11. Roll Call Board Members Present: Sean Rodriguez, Clinton Bailey, Bruce Hawn, Ronald Klepac, David Mathews, Karim Salighedar, James Mokry and Julio Sanchez Board Members Absent: Gilbert Canales, Stacey Gallagher and Billy Largin City Staff Present: Steve Van Patten, Sylvia Carrillo and Catherine Garza III Approval of Minutes from Regular Board Meetings January, March, and April Mr. Hawn made the first motion to approve minutes and Mr. Klepac made the second motion; all were in favor: IV Discussion concerning the Changes to the 2009 International Residential Code and Local Amendments Thereto Handouts of power point presentations regarding the 2009 IRC changes were given to the Board to review. These same power point presentations were given at informative training sessions held last week that were open to the industry and lead by Mr. Van Patten. He gave a brief summary of how the training sessions went and the Board took a brief moment to go over the power points. He then opened the floor for any questions or concerns. Mr. Rodriguez asked Mr. Van Patten if there was much concern amongst the contractors regarding Sec. P3005.2.6 - Base of Stacks, "A cleanout shall be provided at the base of each waste or soil stack ". Mr. Van Patten answered yes, and it should be readdressed the Board agreed. Mr. Van Patten notified the Board that this section did not have a "change " but rather a clarification. He said that the word "near is very vague which is where the confusion lies. Ms. Carrillo then alerted the Board and asked if they need to consider this section as a possible amendment. She recommended the Board make a motion for City staff to review /research this section and later present their conclusions so the Board can make a determination if they would like to change the language. Mr. Klepac made the first motion in favor of staffs recommendation and Mr. Mokry seconded, all were in favor. Continued discussion and clarification took place regarding several topics including: Ducts, Sec. 403.2 from JECC, Sec. P2905.4.2 — Water Service Installation, and Sec. M1505 — Overhead Exhaust Hoods. V. Discussion of the 2009 International Energy Conservation (IECC) Code Requirements A draft ordinance was given to the Board to review regarding the 2009 IECC. Ms. Carrillo explained to the Board that beforehand, the Department researched other cities that have already put this into place such as AustinlPlano and found that they are more restrictive; she does not see a reason for the City to be Plumbing/Mechanical Advisory Board Regular Meeting June 20, 2012 Page 2 as stringent. The Department does not have the funds, inspection staff or equipment to perform the required inspections. Staff recommendation is for a standard adoption. Staff is requesting suggestions from Board Commissions /Building Industry regarding who they recommend as approved agents to perform third party inspections based on insurance and registrationl licensing requirements, City staff will also bring a list of agencies that certify which Ms. Carrillo stated there are currently about four to five. The process far submission of the test reports will be simply filed prior to issuing the Certificate of Occupancy, similar to a WPI form for windstorm; the report should not hold up construction at any time. So far, feedback from the home builders is for the option of set(Icertification and not to require test results which the Board can take into consideration as well but staff is not proposing to go in that direction. Ms. Carrillo informed the Board that the Department has been in contact with the state to inform them that we are in a holding pattern. Mr. Mathews asked if only new construction applies to this code. Ms. Carrillo clarified that it is not required to bring the entire building up to code; there is a stipulation that only a certain percentage of additions /remodels are involved It was also clarified that it is the builder/contractors responsibility to make sure these inspections take place. With that information, Mr. Mokry expressed his concern and for sees builders /contractors taking advantage and making shortcuts. Ms. Carrillo said that since we have a small time frame the only available option is to have third party certification. Moving forward, Ms. Carrillo reiterated to the Board to review the ordinance and come back at the next scheduled meeting with any concerns; by that time staff will present comments from stake holdersIbuilding industry. VI. Discussion of the Process for Local Amendments to the Technical Construction Codes Ms. Carrillo explained that in the past, most code concerns were put on hold when the next round of amendment adoptions took place. She stated that the Department is taking a more proactive approach in formalizing the amendment process for Board participation. Now, Board members and also City staff or contractors can present items for review to begin the amendmentprocess. For the purpose of the Board, it will he notated in the minutes and at the next scheduled meeting staff will present their findings. From there, the Board can make a decision if they want to proceed with an amendment. With the new process in place it should move a lot faster. VII. Identify items to be placed on next Agenda • Mr. Mokry and Mr. Salighedar would like to add for staff to research whether irrigation lines can be installed in City easements. • 2009 IECC will continue on the next agenda for the purpose of discussion1possible action. 0 Clarifi cation for Sec. P3005.2.6 —Base of Stacks from 2009 IRC Plumbing/Mechanical Advisory Board Regular Meeting June 20, 2012 Page 3 VIII. Building Official's Report A. Department Updates Ms. Carrillo informed the Board that there are currently two issues delaying the adoption of the 2009 Codes, more so pertaining to the International Building Code, regarding fire separation and zero lot line. B. Presentation of Revised Descriptions for Trade Inspectors Ms. Carrillo explained the review of the department's budget process and that there will be no personnel additions with regards to inspection division rather we are working to cross train staff to get more resources. We are working with the Human Resources Dept. to create a "combination " inspector trade, concentrating on residential inspections, and will be offered to those inspectors are willing and able. This position has been approved as an item in our budget and now we are ironing out final details as far as licensing requirementlienures. C. Staffing Ms. Carrillo informed the Board that the Building Officialposition is advertised on the City website, JCC website and ICAWBOATwebsites. The Plumbing Mechanical Inspector position is advertised on the City websitelICC website. We did not receive any potential applicants in the first pool for the inspector position which is more than likely due to salary issues. There are also two vacant positions far Residential Plans Examiner -I that are advertised as well which will allow a reduced review time frame over the counter; allow our Plans Examiner H's to focus ad execute commercial plan review more quickly. The Department is not bringing in any outside inspectors but at one point we did consider bringing a third party, temporary Building Official but unfortunately there were very few applicants; the salary range has been increased which has helped for the full time applicant pool. IX. Public Comment No one addressed the Board during public comment. X Adjournment Mr. Mathews made the first motion to adjourn and Mr. Rodriguez seconded, Meeting adjourned at 3 p.m.