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HomeMy WebLinkAbout02-27-84 Public Safety Committee atnntiitttirt 3Kr.pnrt UM flit (IIrnnnwu Mound! atilt (ling about!' iem): PUBLIC SAFETY COMMITTEE The February 27 , 1984 meeting of the Public Safety Committee was called to order by its Chairman ; Councilman Robert Taylor at 4 : 00 p .m. in the Council Informal meeting room. Persons in attendance included Councilmen : Puzzello , Voorde , Taylor , Crone , Braboy, Paszek, and Zakrzewski; Fire Chief Tim. Brassell, Bernard White of the Plumbers Association, Heating Inspector Bert Ellis , Plumbing Inspector Merle Carlton , Electrical Inspector Don Cedergren, Steve Lutes,Building Commissioner Paul Roelke, Council President Beck, Eugenia Schwa;tz , Kathy Barnard, Maryann Heredeen, Mayor Parent , Kathleen Cekanski-Farrand and members of the news media . Councilman Taylor noted that the purpose of the meeting was to review Bill No. 6-84 regarding building regulations . Councilman Taylor stated that a substitute version of the Bill which incorporated amendments made .by The Administrative Building Council on February 14 , 1984 would be considered at this evening ' s meeting. The ABC approved the ordinance on February 21 , 1984. and noted the letter from David L. Bills the Director of the Division of Code Enforcement for the. office of the State Building Commissioner. Mrs. Barnard passed out handouts showing the restricted fire limits and various sections of the Uniform Building Code (attached) . She explained that. the Administration worked for .over a year in preparing this ordinance. Mrs. Barnard then reviewed the ordinance. She noted that the penalty section would now include a daily fine of $100. 00. Wood burning stoves would be regulated as well as all demolition work. Much of the recent State law required the elimination of many sections of the architectural barriers law which the City .of Soiit.h Bend had passed several years ago. Overall the main thrust of the new ordinance were to bring all of the various areas regarding buildings into compliance with State law. • Mrs . Schwartz then reviewed the various changes which were recommended by the Administrative Building Council which focused primarily on the journeyman plumber and the deletion of Sec . 6-19 . Councilman Braboy requested that steps be taken by the City to inform all contractors about this ordinance and especially the small contractors . Mrs. Barnard noted that a booklet would be prepared following the passage of the ordinance. Councilman Voorde inquired into the restricted fire limits and was informed by the Fire . Chief that this would not affect insurance rates . The City presently has a Class 3 rating. He noted that sprinkling a building presently costs approximately $1 . 50 per square foot and is designed to keep the fire to the area of origin. He also noted that sprinking allows more latitutde for the design of a building. 0 Councilman Crone asked whether there had been any amendments prepared by the Administration in light of her recent discussion with Mrs . Barnard. There being none , Councilman Crone then asked several questions about I.f[ I.... 4. ,u.t1.MIM. Co. Page 2. Public Safety Committee the ordinance . Councilman Crone requested that the words " or in a closely related field" be deleted from Sec. 6-4 . 3 Building Commissioner (a) on page 2 . She noted that such terminology as well as the terms "progressively responsible experience" open._ the door to interpretation and that since the public health and safety of the citizens was at stake that an amendment would be in order. Councilman Taylor agreed with the proposed amendment since it would emphasize professionalism. Councilman Braboy also agreed with the amendment however noted that thorough screening of applicants before hiring was also important. Following further discussion by the Committee , Councilman Crone made a motion seconded by Councilman Zakrzewski that the words "or in a closely related field" be deleted from Sec. 6-4 . 3 (a) . The motion passed unanimously. Maryann Herendeen a supplier of wood stoves spoke in favor of their regulation . Councilman Crone questioned whether the length of time was addressed in the demolition permit section. She was informed that it was not and that a permit would last 180 days. The Council Attorney noted that if a nuisance resulted from demolition work that the. City could step in at any time to abate the nuisance . This ordinance would affect all new construction and any building where substantial remodeling would take place. Discussion then took place on the appointment_of' the plumbing, electrical , and mechanical inspectors which would now be done by the Department Head. Councilman Crone suggested that since the Building Commissioner would have the necessary technical expertise that he should be involved in reviewing applicants to be inspectors. Mayor Parent noted that as a matter of course the Department Head would consult with the Building Commissioner but he would oppose an amendment to this effect. Mrs . Schwartz noted that I. C. 36-4-11-3 requires the Department Heads to make appointments . Councilman Taylor believed that what Councilman Crone was saying regarding appointments was in theory correct . Councilman Voorde also supported Councilman Crone' s suggestion.. However there was not Committee support for such an amendment. Various fees were then reviewed and it was noted by Mrs . Barnard that all fees should be reviewed this year by the Council and the Administration to see if adjustments would be in order . Mayor Parent thanked the Administration for working on the ordinance and noted the letter from David L. Bills , Director of the State ' s Division of Code Enforcement on the overall quality of the ordinance. Plumbing permits were then reviewed as to their procedure and it was noted that by the State Code Sec. 2. 4 a permit would be required to remove facets. Councilman Braboy noted that there would be many old wash basins remaining in place throughout the City. u/ . Page 3. Public Safety Committee Councilman Voorde suggested in Sec. 6-4. 4 Sub (a).nentitled Reports and Records that the Council be included and that a specific date be listed. It was noted that the annual reports section in the Municipal Code presently requires such a filing to be done by May 1 of each year. Following further discussion by the Committee Councilman Beck made a motion seconded by Councilman Crone that Substitute Bill No . 6-84 as amended be recommended favorably to Council— The motion passed unanimously. Mr. Lutes a local contractor believed that the ordinance would be hard to enforce. Mrs . Herendeen also hoped that the Department would assist all of those affected by the ordinance in supplying the necessary forms for compliance. Councilman Crone made a motion seconded by Councilman Zakrzewski that the meeting be adjourned . The meeting was adjourned at 5 : 20 p .m. Respectfully submitted , Robert Taylor, Chairman