HomeMy WebLinkAboutMinutes Mechanical/ Plumbing Advisory Board - 01/12/1995 3o
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MINUTES OF THE REGULAR MEETING N FFp 1995
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January 12, 1995 c>n2
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BOARD MEMBERS PRESENT: Richard Miller, Chairman
Lew Larson, Vice-Chairman
Joe Frazer
Mike Sutton
Reed Glendenning
Zernie Smith
Ronnie Marek
BOARD MEMBERS ABSENT: Ronald Murray
Rob Hurst
STAFF MEMBERS PRESENT: Lelland Kirbow, Chief Mech/Plbg Inspector
Lorenzo Gonzalez, Building Official
Olga Carrion, Clerk Typist II
Mr. Miller, Chairman called the meeting to order at 2:05 p.m., in the Committee Room
on the first floor of City Hall.
The first item of business was the Election of Officers. Mr. Larson nominated Richard
Miller, Chairman. No other nomination were made. A motion was then made by Mr. Marek,
seconded by Mr. Larson, and passed unanimously to elect Mr. Miller, Chairman by acclamation.
Mr. Sutton nominated Mr. Larson, Vice-Chairman. No other nominations were made.
A motion was then made by Mr. Sutton, seconded by Mr. Marek, and passed unanimously to
elect Mr. Larson Vice-Chairman by acclamation.
The next item of business was the receipt of petitions from the audience.
Mr. Terry Whitmire representing the Coastal Bend Air Conditioning Contractors
Association expressed concern regarding the Texas Air Conditioning and Refrigeration
Contractors Licensing Law stating that they would like for the Mechanical Plumbing Board to
recommend adoption of Article 8861 in its entirety. Mr. Whitmire stated that their reasons for
concern were that the city did not enforce certain regulations on unlicensed individuals. The
next reason was that the city had only adopted the portion of the law which allowed the City to
collect fees from them and the last reason was that a misunderstanding as to whether the entire
Article 8861 was adopted by the City existed. He then referred to a letter received from the
SCANNED
P.O. Box 9277 • Corpus Christi, Texas 78469-9277 • (512) 880-3000
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City of
Corpus
Christi
Texas Department of Licensing and Regulations regarding Municipalities that adopt Article 8861
or portions of Article 8861 and how it affects citizen protection. Mr. Whitmire added that the
City could adopt the law and suggested that the Board make a motion to recommend adoption
of Article 8861 in its entirety into the Mechanical Code. As an example he referred to a
licensed contractor having to obtain permits and pay fees, while a non licensed contractor did
not pay any fees and ignored the law. He stated that if Article 8861 is not adopted in its entirety
that the City should do away with it.
Mr. Gonzalez explained that prior to 1980 the city had not adopted a City Mechanical
Code or regulations for contractors but was in the process of developing its own licensing
ordinance at the time the State Licensing proposal for Mechanical Contractors was submitted and
passed. The action taken at the State level resulted in Article 8861, - Texas Air Conditioning
and Refrigeration Contractor Licensing Law. The City then adopted the Standard Mechanical
Code and included provisions to use the State Law for the purposes of permitting. He added
that the State law was adopted without full enforcement funding at the State level. A
municipality may decide to adopt the entire law and enforce for the State; but it is not
mandatory. He added that the City requires Mechanical Contractors to register with the City
Building Inspections. Mr. Gonzalez explained that the law as written did not provide clear
authority to enforce and achieve cost recovery. He added that a major unanswered question
was, who pays for the enforcement of State regulations? He clarified that his discussions with
the local contractors had begun back in September of 1994 and that he would forward a copy
of all correspondences exchanged between the City and the Association to the remainder of the
Board, since the Chairman had received copies of the correspondences.
Mr. Whitmire stated that the Association would provide a list of other cities that have
adopted Article 8861.
The Board members requested that the issue be an item for discussion on next months
agenda.
The meeting was adjourned at 2:35 p.m.
BUILDING INSPECTION DIVISION
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Gonzalez, P.E.
Building Official
02MP-002