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HomeMy WebLinkAboutMinutes Mechanical/Plumbing Advisory Board - 07/12/2012. /�Zr MINUTES OF REGULAR MEETING Mechanical /Plumbing Advisory Board Thursday, July 12, 2012 Time. 2 p.m. 2406 Leopard St., Corpus Christi, Texas 78408 Development Services 3rd FIoor, Fire Department's Training Room I. Call to Order Meeting was called to order at 2:03 P. m. II. Roll Call Board Members Present: Clinton Bailey, Gilbert Canales, Stacey Gallagher, Ronald Klepac, Billy Largin, Jim Mokry, Sean Rodriguez, Karim Salighedar, Julio Sanchez i bAv)0 1Wyhtu6 Board Members Absent: Bruce Hawn City Staff Present: Sylvia Carrillo, Steve Van Patten, and Catherine Garza City Staff Absent: Elizabeth Hundley III... Address Absences from Regular Board Meeting of June 14, 2012 Mr. Gallagher sent an email prior to the meeting confirming he would not be able to attend. Mr. Largin stated he had a conflict and Mr. Canales had a personal emergency while remodeling his home. Mr. Mathews made the first motion to excuse the absences of Mr. Canales, Mr. Gallagher and Mr. Largin. Mr. Sanchez made the second motion; all were in favor. IV. � Approval of Minutes from Regular Board Meeting of June 14, 2012 Mr. Klepac made the first motion to approve minutes as written and Mr. Mathews seconded; all were in favor. V. Review, Consider, Discuss, and Possible Action Regarding the 2009 International Energy Conservation Code Ms. Carrillo stated at this time the department has no additional information to present and we are still ironing out requirements for third party inspections. Ms. Carrillo asked that this item continue on next month's agenda for further consideration. Ms. Carrillo added that as of now, the code is adopted but not enforced. Vl. Discussion and Possible Action Regarding Section P3005.2.6, Base of Stacks; 2009 International Residential Code Mr. Mathews suggested researching other cities to compare how they are carrying out this code section and if they are experiencing the same obstacle; the rest of the Board agreed. VII. Discussion and Possible Action Regarding Irrigation Lines in City Easements and Local Amendments Thereto Ms. Carrillo stated the prohibition of irrigation lines in City easements can be found in the Unified Development Code. She informed the Board the code is in conflict with the department's prior practices and will no longer be enforced; City staff has been informed that this code will no longer be enforced, so from this point forward customers should not experience any setbacks. Ms. Carrillo Plumbing/Mechanical Advisory Board Regular Meeting July 12, 2012 Page 2 said if the Board is told otherwise to let her know and she will recta the situation. She also informed the Board that this code is not the only code that is also in conflict and the department is presenting numerous others to City Council for amendments. VIII. Discussion and Possible Action Regarding Section P2903.5 and Section 604.9, Water Hammer, 2009 International Residential /Plumbing Code Mr. Van Patten began discussion by informing the Board that residentially, this section had a code "change "for 2009. He said that 80% of water distribution systems are installed with PEX, which some manufacturer's specifications testing results do not necessarily require them to be installed with water hammer arrestors. He stated he believed the Board may have taken action on this item in the past requiring PEX be installed with water hammer arrestors. He is now bringing this to the Board's attention and needing feedback since this issue has been presented to him through concerned members of the industry. Discussion took place and Mr. Rodriquez made the first motion to allow the code to speak for itself and stand as written. Mr. Largin made the second motion; all were in favor. IX. Identify items to be placed on next Agenda Mr. Mokry stated he has witnessed many trucks without signs or license numbers at supply houses and asked if he could add this issue. He wants to know what can be done to address this issue locally. It was clarified to him that the department enforces the licensing law with regards to registration, ensuring that any permit obtained is issued to a licensed trades person. The department does not investigate individuals who do not have a license but rather if work performed is done without a permit. Mr. Canales would like to add combustion air for gas, water heaters and firnaces that are in the center of the house. Mr. Mokry had a similar concern regarding wall heaters and said HVAC contractors are refusing to install them. He said atone point plumbers were allowed to kstall wall heaters but now the state calls for only licensed HVAC contractors for installation because it involves combustion air inside the house. X. Building Official's Report A. Department Updates The Department is moving forward with Residential reviews to become an over the counter process; by September I" the Department will have nine Plans Examiner I positions. Eventually we would like them to also review some minor commercial projects as well which will help expedite the major commercial projects. B. Staffing The department received 14 applications for the Building Official vacancy. Upon review of those applicants, it was decreased to eight candidates. Of those eight candidates, six agreed to interviews which will also be held by phone in order to eliminate even further for final interviews. Interviews will be done by a panel to also include members of the community/industry for involvement. Ms. Carrillo stated she is having much difficultyfilling the vacancy for a Plumbing /Mechanical Inspector. With this difficulty, she stated it is leading them to possible third party inspectors OR create a combination /I (i ` Plumbing/Mechanical Advisory Board Regular Meeting July 12, 2012 Page 3 inspector job classification. Creating this new position would attract a combination, certified candidate with respect to residential inspections in order to compete, salary wise, with what other businesses are compensating. Currently, we are allowing overtime so inspectors should not be "rolling over" inspections which they do not have the authority to do but Plumbing /Mechanical inspections are now being capped at 30 1day due to being short inspectors. It is not the department's intent to continue in this fashion without considering the options of third party inspectors which is very costly or go through a temporary agency. The Department cannot compete with what the industry is paying. We can however offer "add pays" but even that is capped at $100 per pay period for additional licenses per the Human Resources policy. Mr. Mathews asked what the Board could do, with in their powers, to assist in helping bring the inspector positions up to par with what the industries are currently paying. Ms. Carrillo answered by stating the Board could recommend to the City Manager that the job descriptions be amended. She added that the Builder's Association will be compiling a recommendation for consideration as well because of the ongoing issue. Mr. Mathews asked to add discussion regarding recommendation to amend job descriptions for Plumbing /Mechanical inspectors to next month's agenda. Mho ALE r\:;," ig 31oVL XI. Public Comment No one addressed the Board during public comment. XII. Adjournment Mr. Rodriguez made the first motion to adjourn and Mr. Klepac seconded. Meeting adjourned at 3: 20 p. m. residing Officer