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HomeMy WebLinkAboutMinutes Mechanical/ Plumbing Advisory Board - 04/08/2004 V �� �6�gnle�yzo City of .N MKY 2004 Corpus (tor RECEIVED CITY ornrET?ry c rp' wv Christi MECHANICAL/PLUMBINGa OFFICE ti/ ADVISORY BOARD MINUTEScetv April 08, 2004 Board Members Present: Robert Knowles, Chairman Red Akin Mody Boatright,Vice Chairman Patrick Scarpulla Kevin Kemp James Horman Scott Corliss John Tucker Jr. Board Members Absent: Sam Beecroft Bob Hughes Herman R. Johnson, Jr. Staff Members Present: Joseph Harney, Assistant City Attorney Joseph Elliott, Plumbing Team Leader Art Sosa, Building Official Alonzo Garza, Plans Examiner Coordinator Julie McCoy, Recording Secretary CALL TO ORDER Chairman Robert Knowles declared a quorum and called the meeting to order at 2:02 p.m. ROLL CALL The first item of business was roll call. Sam Beecroft, Bob Hughes, and Herman R. Johnson Jr. were absent. *Patrick Scarpulla joined the meeting at 2:12 p.m. *Scott Corliss asked to be excused from the meeting at 3:00 p.m. EXCUSED ABSENCES A motion was made by Red Akin and seconded by Patrick Scarpulla to excuse the absences from the January 08, 2004 board meeting. The motion carried. APPROVAL OR CORRECTION OF MINUTES—April 08, 2004 A motion was made by Scott Corliss and seconded by Kevin Kemp to accept the minutes as written. The motion carried. SCANNED P.U. 130) 927% • Corous Christi. Texas RS449-9297 • 1341) 88o-3JJU BUILDING OFFICIAL'S REPORT Given by Art Sosa • There has been substantial numbers of violation on codes, especially the plumbing • Inspectors will be given citation powers which will allow them to issue a document asking the violator to appear in an environmental court in front of ajudge and jury. • Code officials will carry badges and ticket books • Joe Elliott put this together along with Margie Rose, Assistant City Manager • I will get with Elizabeth Hundley from the City's Legal department on the status of the book replacement order. • The department is finalizing the mid year draft amendment. • Copies of the ordinance will be sent to the board members for review. • One of the items proposed on the amendment is to request contractor's to post a copy of the permit at the jobsite for mechanical change outs, service re-bills for electricians, renovations, or additions to buildings • The department is fortunate to have Alonzo Garza and Jesse Valle. both with Architectural backgrounds. • The adoption of the Energy Code 2003 will impact the inspector's work load tremendously. • Board currently has one vacancy for a commercial contractor Joe Elliott elaborated on the response to the focus of citation powers by adding that the inspectors have certain authorities bestowed upon them by the licensing law as well as the air conditioning law and city ordinance. They can enforce with citation and keep it at a local level. For example, a plumber with a vehicle not properly marked will be subject to a citation. This is an old Plumbing license law. QUESTIONS ASKED BY BOARD MEMBERS What is the primary focus of giving citation powers to the inspectors? Response by Red: The attorney general can fine you at the State level. We are trying to shut down the guys doing sloppy unlicensed work. Response by Joe Elliott: Catching unlicensed contractors is our primary focus of citation powers. Is there a scale of fines? Response by Joe Elliott: The plumbing licensing law does have a schedule of fines. However, the City ordinance has fines from $200-$2000 dollars a day. Each day is a separate offense that it continues to occur. Has the mid year draft to the amendments gone to Council? Response by Art Sosa: No, it has to be brought to the board members first for your review, and then it will be taken to Council. I will take the non controversial items, such as the Fill Ordinance in April. It is unreasonable to think that a person can pull a permit and do their fill work in five days. We would like to see it extended to thirty days. Is there a lot of non permit pulling? Response by Alonzo Garza: Yes, there is a tremendous amount. V AGENDA ITEMS Proposed Training Schedule for the Brown Bag & Formal Sessions By: Alonzo Garza, Plans Examiner Coordinator • Joe Elliott, David Lewis, and I met with the Apartment Association to inform them of what their maintenance crews can and cannot do. • We are trying to inform everyone that the Development Services department is a resource to the community. • On our way to an outreach, we are catching people who are doing work without permits. • We are establishing a policy and procedure and want everyone to be on the same page. • We are doing outreach session with pool and sign contractors. • If you belong to an organization that would like to hold a Brown Bag Session, please contact Development Services. PETITIONS FROM THE AUDIENCE There were none. ADJOURNMENT A motion was made to adjourn by Chairman Robert Knowles. The motion carried and the meeting was adjourned at 3:01 p.m. DEPARTMENT OF DEVELOPMENT SERVICES a Arthur N. Sosa, Asst.Director of Development Services/Building Official H plumbing.4-O8-04 mines Posted.City Hall Bulletin Board Dismibuti n:Original mi nes-nolebook City Manager.Asst.City Manager,Legal Depi.;Budding Official City Secremrz,Plmb/mech Team leader,