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HomeMy WebLinkAboutMinutes Construction Trade Advisory & Appeals Board - 06/15/2023 CONSTRUCTION TRADE ADVISORY &APPEAL BOARD MEETING MINUTES CITY OF CORPUS CHRISTI 1201 LEOPARD STREET-CITY HALL CHAMBERS JUNE 15, 2023, 11:30 PM BOARD MEMBERS: STAFF: Jared Merdes-Chairman Michael Dice, Assistant Director Ronald Brister Isidoro Prado, Sr. Compliance Inspector Paul S. Cervantes Buck Brice, Assistant City Attorney Mike Dildy Ruth Bocchino, Agenda Coordinator Ty Gentry Jose Jimenez Tommie Lee Leah Tiner Vacancy-HVAC Tech I. CALL TO ORDER - ROLL CALL: The meeting was called to order at 1:30 pm and a quorum was established with Board Members Brister and Gentry (new appointment; not sworn in at time of meeting) absent. Mr. Brister contacted Jared Merdes via telephone before the meeting and informed him that he had a work conflict that would prevent him from attending the meeting. II. PUBLIC COMMENT: Dominic Posado, Newcastle Homes, approached the board and stated they need more time. The codes are too fast compared to the growth and if the code timelines could be extended it would be helpful to the community. Garrett Dorsey, 2037 Sunnycrest, Flour Bluff, approached the board and stated he wanted to remind the board that they are their (surveyors) stop for issues and grievances. Mr. Dorsey stated the builders still need to digest the building code revisions. III. APPROVAL OF ABSENCES: 3/9/23: Member Dildy. Member Cervantes moved to approve the absence, seconded by Member Jimenez. The Vote: All Aye. The motion passed. IV. APPROVAL OF MINUTES: March 9, 2023. Member Jimenez moved to approve the minutes, seconded by Member Cervantes. The Vote: All Aye. The motion passed. The minutes were approved. V. DISCUSSION AND POSSIBLE ACTION: Ordinance amending Sections 14-281 and 14-291 of the City Code to amend the Plumbing and Residential Construction Codes to adopt Texas Commission on Environmental Quality regulations for the inspection and testing of backflow assemblies for residential irrigation systems and clarify commercial backflow testing requirements, amending Section 14-231 of the City Code to amend the Building Code to provide an exemption for certain government, industrial, and agricultural facilities from permits, and amending Section 55-37 of the City Code to authorize the disconnection of services for failure to install, test, or maintain a required backflow device; providing for a penalty not to exceed $500 and publication. Attorney Buck Brice explained the ordinance and the reasons for the revisions. Discussion was held regarding details of backflow and going to follow the state (TCEQ) rather than city code. Mr. Brice also discussed the exemptions for government, industrial and agricultural facilities from permits, and associated penalties and processes. Building permits are not related to backflow issues. Testing will still be performed. Staff is asking the board for a recommendation to council to adopt the proposed language. A motion was made by Member Jimenez and seconded by Member Cervantes to accept Item No. 5 as written. The Vote: All aye. The motion passed. VI. BRIEFING: Fire briefing on high rise sprinkler requirements by Randy Paige. Randy Paige, Fire Marshal, Corpus Christi Fire Department, gave a presentation on existing high-rise buildings once the 2021 codes go into effect. Most are sprinkled already. New construction is required to have sprinkler systems. Some are so old, there were not sprinkler regulations. There are three sets (must meet one of the three) of criteria to meet in order to add a sprinkler system: any high rise that is over 120 feet above fire department access. High rises that are between 75 and 120 feet; two different criteria: if you have between 75 and 120 feet and they do not have at least two interior exit stairwells. Between 75 to 120 feet, if they do not have a current fire alarm system that includes smoke detection in equipment rooms, electrical rooms, corridors, lobbies, and telephone rooms, they are required to retrofit for sprinklers. Code allows 12 years to comply. Within 365 days, a plan must be submitted regarding how to reach this goal in 12 years. A letter with a timeline will be provided to non-compliant businesses. VII. DEPUTY BUILDING OFFICIAL REPORT: Luke Fry, Deputy Building Official gave the following reports: • 2021 Significant Changes Training Schedule Mr. Fry dispersed a new training schedule regarding adoption of the new codes; 2021 significant changes along with the 2020 NEC significant training. Classes are offered three times. Training is done by Development Services staff. A member asked about Board recommendations made to the city and why were they not followed; specifically, 220 CFI's. Mr. Fry said recommendations were followed and is not aware of changes and to please put the request in writing for review. It is too late for August 1. Current information is online via Muni Code. • Code Enforcement Transfer Mr. Fry stated the transfer is complete with 43 new employees. They have their own Assistant Director who reports to Al Raymond. • July ISO Department Evaluation Mr. Fry stated Tuesday, July 18, is the ISO department evaluation-ISO; Insurance Services Offices, name change to Verisk; which is important because our Building Cost Effectiveness Grading Schedule effects our insurance rates and a component of our rating is our Building Codes. We could be downgraded because of our older building codes. We are at a 4, state average is 6, we would like to be a 2 or 3. Delaying the new building code will have an effect on our insurance ratings. VIII. FUTURE AGENDA ITEMS: • Vice Chair Election • Board Makeup and broaden membership • Include update on dynamic portal and fee waiver (Deputy Building Official briefing) • Briefing of amendments to the Electrical Code IX. ADJOURNMENT: There being no further business to discuss, the meeting was adjourned at 2:40 pm.