04-22-91 Residential Neighborhoods & Public Works

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Joint Committee Meeting April 22, 1991 Page 3 Council President Niezgodski stated that at previous Joint Committee Meetings, Mrs. DeClercq and Ms. Manier advised the Council that the Court had struck down insurance provisions of the Ordinance. He also clarified that this is a permit process through registration, and that the City would not determine whether individuals are qualified. He also stated that he does not see any additional work load being placed on the Building Department. Mr. Al Gostola spoke against the Bill. He noted that the average home builder builds less than five homes per year. He believes that the overall regulations would accomplish nothing. Council Member Coleman noted that licensing only confuses the issue, since its scope is considerably greater. Mr. Donald Fozo, the County Building Commissioner, then referred to his letter of April 16th. He noted that St. Joseph County took on licensing of heating and air conditioning contractors last year. This is through a testing procedure and that current contractors were not grandfathered. He noted that plumbing contractors are State licensed. He questioned some of the names and references listed on the list of proposed endorsers of the Bill. He noted that he has fifteen years of experience in this area, and questioned why drywall contractors and steel workers are not covered. Council Member Luecke noted that on page 2 that such contractors would be incorporated at the point that they would attempt to get a building permit. Mr. Fozo also did not see a need for a difference in the fees between residential, commercial, and industrial. He did not see the proposed Bill as adding any further protections to the consumers, and believes that building departments should not be a policing arm. He believes that the overall intent of the Bill has been lost. He stated that he has worked closely with the City of Mishawaka and the City of South Bend, and that there is better enforcement of all of the State Codes now than in the past. He stressed the need for educating the public, and further noted that he respects the City Engineer of Laporte, but that that is a different type of operation than the City of South Bend. Council President Niezgodski noted that enforcement is indeed a part of the Building Department in light of the Enforcement of Codes and Stop Work Orders.