HomeMy WebLinkAboutMinutes Electrical Advisory Board - 08/09/2018MINUTES OF REGULAR MEETING
Electrical Advisory Board
Thursday, August 9, 2018 at 3:00 p.m.
Frost Bank Building, 2406 Leopard, Corpus Christi, Texas
1st Floor, Executive Conference Room
I. Call to Order 3:00pm
II. Roll Call and Introduction of Guests and Staff
Present: Robert Aguilar, Robert Sandate, Paul Cervantes, William Ashcraft, John McMullan, and Lyndon Smiling
(arrived at 3:01pm). Staff: Gene Delauro – Building Official, Norman Walters – PM, Inspectors and Kristy Glick –
Board Secretary.
III. Approval of Minutes: Regular Meeting: February 8, 2017
Motion to approve this item was by Robert Aguilar and Seconded by Lyndon Smiling. Six in favor, 0 Opposed,
Motion passed.
IV. Public Comments: None
V. Discuss the removal of the GFI and Arc-Fault receptacle protection on refrigerators and freezers, due to
consistent tripping.
Due to numerous complaints from citizens whose refrigerators and freezers shut down when the receptacle trips
after power surges, the board is asked to discuss allowing single grounded receptacles for refrigerators and
freezers. The issues tend to occur only in residential settings, not commercial. Safety issues were discussed, and
it was determined, provided the refrigerator or freezer is grounded and on a dedicated circuit, the change presents
no safety hazards.
Motion to request staff to create an ordinance was made by Lyndon Smiling and seconded by Robert Aguilar. Six
in favor, 0 Opposed, Motion passed.
VI. Power Line Safety presentation by William Ashcraft , AEP
VII. General Comparison of Corpus Christi’s construction growth to other Texas Cities in the first quarter of
2018.
Gene Delauro presented a report listing of benchmark cities’ new residential and commercial construction for the
first quarter of 2018. Corpus Christi has some of the slowest growth in the top ten largest cities in Texas. The price
of land was cited as a hinderance to new construction. Gene explained the City’s proposed Affordable Housing
Program, which attempts to address the lack of affordable housing in the city. He described the current trend in
housing needs for recent college graduates and young professional for mixed housing as opposed to single-family
homes.
VIII. Building Official’s Report:
a. Department updates: Development Services has a new director, Nina Nixon-Mendez, from San Antonio;
the department lost a building and plumbing/mechanical inspector, work is underway to replace them soon;
b. Building summary recap: 646 houses were under construction from January to July, last year there were
only 585; valuations are up 7%, development is on pace to produce more homes this year than last year.
Hurricane Harvey generated a lot of repair, renovation, sign and roof work this year, which brought in more
revenue than anticipated for the department.
c. The Affordable Housing Program: limited to 120 homes for incentives, including rebates for development
fees: 100% reimbursement for homes sold from $150K-$180K, and 25% reimbursement for homes sold for
$180K-$200K.
d. ICC CEUs: Norm Walters presented to the board that Del Mar College was accepted by the ICC as a
preferred partner. ICC is still reviewing the initial course outline; the course will provide 1.6 ICC CEUs. The
course will be open to all citizens of Corpus Christi. It was recommended the board members submit
suggestions for ICC courses to be taught at Del Mar College.
e. Utilities without Permits: discussion of the ongoing problem with new construction without permits
connecting to City utilities, sometimes illegally. AEP has a system that reduces the risk of people connecting
power to substandard structures.
IX. Identify Items to Place on Next Agenda:
a. GFI Ordinance
X. Adjourn: 4:16pm
Motion to adjourn was made by R. Sandate and seconded by Paul Cervantes.
_________________________
Presiding Officer