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HomeMy WebLinkAboutMinutes Mechanical/ Plumbing Advisory Board - 08/13/2009 w \111 Minutes of Regular Meeting RECEIVED Mechanical/Plumbing Advisory Board SEP 200 Thursday,August 13,2009 at 2 p.m. Fire Department Training Room CRY$ECRETgRY'11 OFFICE 3rd Floor, Frost Bank Building 2406 Leopard, Corpus Christi,Texas I. Call to Order Meeting was called to order at 2:03 p.m. IL Roll Call Board Members Present: Billy Largin,James Norman, Mike Warner,Julio Sanchez, Karim Salighedar, David Mathew, Robert Pate, Bud O'Bryan, Robert Sells and Sean Rodriguez Board Members Absent James Dildy City Staff Present Joe Elliott and Catherine Garza III. Introduction of New Members and Elect Chairman Mr. Elliott gave the new Board members the opportunity to introduce themselves and give some background information about their professions and experience;for current members to introduce themselves. Mr. Elliott asked the Board to start recommending nominations for Chairman. Mr. Norman made the first recommendation and nominated Mr. Warner. Mr. Elliott asked the Board ifthey had any other suggestions for Chairman. No one had any other recommendations and proceeded with a vote. All were in favor to have Mr. Wanner act as Chairman. Mr. Wanzer conducted the remainder of the meeting. Mr. 0'Bryan recommended Mr. Sean Rodriguez for the position of Vice Chairman. Mr. Norman made the first motion accepting Mr. O'Bryan''a recommendation. Mr. 0'Bryan made the second motion. All were in favor;motion carried unanimously. IV. Address Absences Mr. Norman and Mr. Sells stated they were absent due to company business. Mr. Wanner made the first motion to excuse absences. Mr.,Rodriguez made the second motion All were in favor; motion carried unanimously. V. Approval of Minutes: July 15t,2009 Mr. Pate made the first motion to accept minutes as written. Mr. Mathew made the second motion. All were in favor;motion carried unanimously. VI. Review, Discuss,and Act as Appropriate on the 2006 International Plumbing Code,International Mechanical Code, International Fuel/Gas Code, International Energy Code, International Residential Code,and Local Amendments SCANNED d Minutes of Mechanical/Plumbing Advisory Board Regular Meeting August 13,2009 Page 2 • Mr. Elliott began this item by announcing some important, new information He gave the new Board members some background as far as what the Board has been working on over the past eight months which was trying to get the 2006 Codes implemented Mr. Elliott stated that at this time it would be best to forgo the adoption of the 2006 codes and to move along with implementing the 2009 codes. He said that it would not be feasible to the Development Community to do so with such a limited amount of active time and to then turn around and get the 2009 Codes ready for adoption within the first few months of next year. Mr. Elliott then stated that the reason for part of the delay in implementing the 2006 Codes was due to the Legal Department. So at this point oil the 2003International Codes will remain. • With this new information, Mr. Harman asked how long the City could operate with the 2003 Codes. Mr. Elliott stated that there is no limit but that the main goal is for the City to stay as current as possible. Mr. Salighedar asked how often the City implements codes and Mr. Elliott stated that the cycle is usually every three years. • Mr. Elliott wanted to add that there has been some discussion to have the Irrigation portion out of the Plumbing Code and to make it a separate Ordinance. It is unclear ifMr. Reining feels that that is feasible or not. This discussion also brought up the issue of Mr. Reining continuing to work with this Board Mr. Elliott stated that he is not particularly in favor of a decision to hand off the project to a new legal representative. From what Mr. Elliott understood Mr. Reining was still working on getting final drafts to the Board but his schedule is limited due to other projects he is involved with as well. • With Mr. Reining's continuation on the Board in question, Mr. Sells brought up a concern regarding Residential Fire Sprinklers being included in the 2009 International Plumbing Code. He informed the board that a generic form/letter is available for Owners/Builders, through the Texas Builders Association, requesting to not have a fire sprinkler installed in their home(spec home). But when the Owner/Builder does elect to have that option then it is their responsibility as the Board to ensure that they are installed steely and properly;so that the system is activated when it is ultimately required. Mr. Sells added that Homeowners Insurance will not cover accidental discharge. • Mr. Elliott asked Mr. Sells if he knew who would be qualified to install the sprinkler systems and he said to the best of his knowledge, that master plumbers could do so in the form of a loop system. This opened up many questions regarding installation and inspections. Mr. Elliott stated that much research would be required in the future when the Board would be ready to take action on the subject VII. Identify items to be placed on next Agenda Mr. Elliott stated that the Agenda for next months meeting should like similar to this months. VIII. Building Official Report: Department Update Mr. Elliott stated that his announcement of the termination of implementing the 2006 Codes serves as part of the Update. He also mentioned the future purchasing of code books but that the City Council has cut our budget drastically. Mr.Elliott informed the Board that there is nothing new to report regarding the Building Official position but that it may be another three months before it will be filled 1w Minutes of Mechanical/Plumbing Advisory Board Regular Meeting August 13,2009 Page 3 IX. Public Comments No one addressed the Board during public forum. X. Adjourn Meeting adjourned at 2:49 p.m. Presiding Ricer "LAVA