City of Lawrence

Board of Electrical Examiners and Appeals

February 9, 2005

MEMBERS PRESENT:	Jeff Oliver, Russell Brickell, Larry Frost and Pat Shepard.
MEMBERS ABSENT:	Moncef Hadiji, Mike Howard, and Mike Higgins
STAFF PRESENT:	Phil Burke, Electrical Inspector

A quorum has been established and Chairman Larry Frost called the meeting to order at 6:11 pm.

Approval of the September 1^st. Minutes

The minutes of the September 1^st. 2004 meeting were read aloud by Secretary Phil Burke.  A motion to approve the minutes as read was made by Russell Brickell and seconded by Pat Shepard, motion passed.

Correspondence

No correspondence had been received by the Board since the last meeting.

Reports and Unfinished Business

A vote regarding the IRC had been placed on the agenda so the result could be forwarded to the Commission.  Phil Burke gave each member a copy of all the suggested amendments created by review of the IRC electrical sections.

Discussion ensued among all members regarding the recommendation of this Code to the Commission. Pat Shepard stated that electricians have always used the NEC for work in Lawrence and saw no reason to add an additional book.  Jeff Oliver expressed that electricians are tested and licensed under the NEC, not the IRC.  Chairman Frost stated that if any problems arose the builder would just call the electrician and never look at the IRC.  Mr. Frost had attended several informational meetings regarding the IRC and the Builders wanted one book to go by, but the electrician would have a minimum of two books. One concern was future Boards would be responsible for reviewing and amending two Codes instead of one. Mr. Brickell agreed to go which way the electrical personnel decided, since they have to deal with the issues on a daily basis.  Mr. Burke stated the current practice to write the Code site next to the violation would result in IRC references written next to electrical violations.  Burke felt this could be confusing to some electricians. Burke also expressed it would be easier for him to perform the other discipline inspections using the IRC, since he is currently certified under it.  Russell Brickell formed the Members idea into a motion to refer all residential electrical references to the currently adopted NEC and its’ amendments.  The motion was seconded by Jeff Oliver and motion passed unanimously. 

New Business

A copy of the purposed licensing draft had been forwarded to all members.  Some discussion regarding fees and how that would impact those with Johnson County licenses ensued.  Mr. Shepard has just purchased a license in Johnson County and spent $300 dollars.  He was concerned that he would then have to pay an additional $200 dollars in Lawrence to be licensed.  Mr. Burke did not have all the facts on how they would be affected, but will clarify those as this is an important issue to dual license holders. 

Russell Brickell questioned Board members regarding their feeling on the licensure of fire alarm installers.  Members didn’t think separate licensing would be necessary since most alarm work is sub-contracted to qualified companies.  The consensus thought requiring a permit for fire alarm installations would alleviate some of the issues facing Mr. Brickell in his position.  He said those requirements could be addressed under the City’s Fire Code. 

2005 NEC books were distributed to Jeff Oliver and Pat Shepard.

Mr. Burke stated that 3 members had terms that expire in March.  Chairman Frost had spoken to Mr. Higgins and he stated that it was his preference to not be re-appointed.

Mr. Oliver agreed to accept re-appointment to his post.  Mike Howard was not present at the meeting so Mr. Burke will contact him regarding his re-appointment. A couple members had candidates in mind and will direct them to sign up with the City Managers’ office as soon as possible. Once Mike Howard has been contacted and made his decision Mr. Burke will forward this to the City Managers office. 

Mr. Burke mentioned the desire of the Neighborhood Resources Department to begin the review of the 2005 NEC for adoption during the course of this year. Books are available, but the analysis books have not been received yet. Burke is in the process of finalizing a plan to help the review process along.  The core of the process is to divide the task into segments and look at amendments, changes to the 2005 NEC and review new sections that have been added. Mr. Burke is in hopes this will allow for a smoother process during the review and shorten this difficult and time consuming task.

Adjournment

With no further business to come before the Board a motion to adjourn was made by Larry Frost.  The motion was seconded by Jeff Oliver and motion passed.  Meeting was adjourned at 7:00 pm.

Respectfully submitted,

Phil Burke, Secretary