HomeMy WebLinkAboutMinutes Mechanical/ Plumbing Advisory Board - 06/10/2004 Ir
• City of
Corpus
Christi MECHANICAL/PLUMBING
ADVISORY BOARD MINUTES
June 10,2004
Board Members Present: Robert Knowles, Chairman Red Akin
James Horman Patrick Scarpulla
Scott Corliss Bob Hughes
Ray Johnson
Board Members Absent: Sam Beecroft John Tucker Jr.
Kevin Kemp
Staff Members Present: Joseph Harney, Assistant City Attorney
Joseph Elliott,Plumbing Team Leader
Mark Shell, Pretreatment Regulatory Coordinator-Waste Water
Grace Flores, Recording Secretary
CALL TO ORDER
Chairman Robert Knowles declared a quorum and called the meeting to order at 2:10 p.m.
ROLL CALL
The first item of business was roll call. Sam Beecroft, John Tucker Jr., and Kevin Kemp were
absent.
EXCUSED ABSENCES
A motion was made by Scott Corliss and seconded by Ray Johnson to excuse the previous
absence. The motion carried.
APPROVAL OR CORRECTION OF MINUTES—May 13, 2004
A motion was made by Bob Hughes and seconded by James Horman to accept the minutes as
written. The motion carried.
SCANNED
•
Develop eaiN ervices.
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11, AGENDA ITEMS
Variance to the Mechanical/Plumbing Code
• Appeal No. MPO 0604-01 American Engine Installers—Penny Bullock
326 NAS Drive
Lot 6 & 7 Block 1 Naval Center
Introduction by Joseph Elliott, Plumbing/Mechanical Team Leader:
Ms. Bullock is attempting to open a business by the name of American Engine Installers at
326 NAS. This building was built approximately in 1983. Going back to the 1975 Plumbing
codes, there was a requirement for this type of business to have and maintain a sand/oil
separator. The sand/oil separator has been an upcoming concern for not only inspections but
Waste Water as well. Ms. Bullock is going to make a presentation to the Board for Alternate
means in lieu of the sand/oil separator.
Ms. Bullock, Owner of American Engine Installers stated that her alternative to not installing
a sand/oil separator would be to block and seal the drainage from City sewage. Ms. Bullock
also mentioned that during repair services, oil is captured immediately and there is very
minimal spillage. Oil that is captured would be stored in barrels and disposed of properly by
Safety Clean. Ms. Bullock also had her landlord Marci present during the Board appeal.
Mark Shell, Pretreatment Regulatory Coordinator from the Waste Water Department was
present. Mr. Shell informed the board that All Star Automotive and Vista Toyota on South
Padre Island Drive had drains located under a hazardous waste storage areas. The Waste
Water department required that both automotive centers plug their drains. Drains are for clean
up only and the oil/sand receptor does not have the capacity to handle oil spills. The current
rate of removal required every 90 days is not working in automotive shops. Waste Water has
enforcement capabilities and inspection staff that issue citations with a minimum fine of
$1000.00 per day for violations.
Scott Corliss made a motion to Grant the Variance subject to inspections as stated, in regards
to the ordinances that are in place. The motion was seconded by Bob Hughes. The motion
carried and the Variance was granted.
Mark Shell is looking for a new oil sand interceptor to replace the giant concrete one. We are
looking for a cheaper interceptor and if you come across one, please let Joe Elliott know.
Eight out of ten detail shops have interceptors.
•
Schedule for the Brown Bag Sessions
By: Joseph Elliott, Mechanical/Plumbing Team Leader
• Brown Bag session for the Plumbing Contractors will be on June 23`" at Moore
Supply. The session will start at 5:30 p.m.
• Has been meeting with the Plumbing Inspectors 4 hours a week and going over the
Code Book
A FEW QUESTIONS ASKED BY BOARD MEMBERS
What is the square footage in the building?
Response by Ms. Bullock: It is about 4,400 square feet, and 400 square feet is office space.
Is there currently any floor drains in the building?
Response by Marcie: There is one and that is why we thought it was an oil separator. The
City has no record of the drain ever being one.
Are there other buildings that are utilized for machinery or automotive repair that do not have
floor drains?
• Response by Joseph Elliott: This board heard a case a few years ago about the Kawasaki
Dealership. There argument was that they did not have oil spillage. The Plumbing code does
not refer to whether a shop does or does not have floor drains. However, the Plumbing code is
clear about oil separators requirements.
If the building had not had a floor drain, would this have been an issue?
Response by Joseph Elliott: Yes, due to the nature of the business that will be conducted in
the building. The code does not make exclusions as to whether the floor drain is or is not
present. Plan review is requiring that shops of this type include floor drains for the reason that
they know that the shop areas are going to get washed down and the substances need to go
through an oil/sand separator prior to going to the sanitary system.
Are there any new methods of cleaning?
Response by Mark Shell: Yes, for example Safety Clean has many products that can be used
on a regular basis, such as extra thick paper towels, large mats, emergency absorbent kits for
spills, and pig blankets.
Suggestion:
An email box should be set up for inspectors to check messages for the day.
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110
BUILDING OFFICIAL'S REPORT Given By Joseph Elliott
We have been working on getting real time inspections for this next fiscal year. This will
allow the inspectors to immediately enter inspection results while they are out in the field.
Contractors will be able to check the status of their permits. The department has been
collecting energy code fees and has had large projects coming in and money is starting to
flow. We are trying to deemphasize the inspection tag because the result needs to be in the
system. The inspector will issue the results and the system will be able to provide a time and
date that it was entered. We will be able to track inspections more accurately.
FUTURE AGENDA ITEMS
There are none at this time.
PETITIONS FROM THE AUDIENCE
There were none.
ADJOURNMENT
A motion was made to adjourn by Scott Corliss and seconded by Patrick Scarpulla. The
motion carried and the meeting was adjourned at 3:44 p.m.
DEPARTMENT OF DEVELOPMENT SERVICES
Arthur N. Sosa,
Asst. Director of Development Services/Building Official
H:plumbingb-10-04 minutes
Posted.City Hall Bulletin Board
Distribution'Original minutes-notebook
City Manager,Asst City Manager;Legal Dept.;Building Official
City Secretary;Plmb/mecb Team leader,