July 6, 2005 minutes
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MEMBERS PRESENT: |
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Russell Brickell, Dan Wilkus, Moncef Hadiji, Jeff Hardie, and Larry Frost |
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MEMBERS ABSENT: |
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Patrick Shepard and Jeff Oliver |
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STAFF PRESENT: |
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Phil Burke |
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PUBLIC PRESENT: |
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Larry Frost called the meeting to order at 6:03 pm.
Introductions
Those that hadn’t met Dan Wilkus and Jeff Hardie introduced themselves.
Minutes
The minutes of the April 6th, 2005 meeting were read. Brickell moved to accept the minutes as read. Frost seconded the motion which passed unanimously.
Unfinished business
Staff explained briefly what the Neighborhood Resources Department wanted to do about the trades being brought back into the Contractor Licensing program. Staff made further comments that as of July 1st. the Contractor licensing program was in effect for Building Contractors, Framing Contractors and Concrete Contractors, at this time the Electrical; Plumbing and Mechanical trades are still not included in this program. An all Board meeting was held recently to address concerns with the trade portion of the Contractor Licensing.
Frost stated that at the meeting the Plumbing and Mechanical Boards had all their questions addressed.
Staff was not sure if they had voted to re-enter the Contractor Licensing program yet or not. Staff was requested to have the Board vote on re-entry to the Contractor Licensing program or to review the matter further if necessary.
Frost stated that he thought the Electrical Board had voted previously and didn’t see why another vote was necessary. Frost questioned why the Electrical Trade was removed without any information forwarded to the Electrical Board; we didn’t ask to be removed.
Staff understood that the Neighborhood Resources Management wanted something concrete to take back to the Commission to show the direction the Electrical Board would like to take.
Frost asked if everyone understood what the Contractor Licensing Program was about.
Wilkus stated that he had some information regarding Contractor Licensing, but would appreciate some discussion on the basics.
Hardie asked to be filled in a little on the program also.
Frost stated he could assist Staff on filling in the blanks regarding Contractor Licensing.
Staff stated the initial focus of the program was to begin licensing Building Contractors, as well as Framing and Concrete Contractors. The mechanical, electrical, and plumbing have always had to be licensed. The Program leveled the field in areas such as insurance and also included a continuing education requirement. The trades have typically been required to pass a test to become licensed, whereas the majority of Building Contractors are being grandfathered in and licensed in different categories based on their experience and area of expertise. The City has set standard amounts of liability insurance, prior to this it varied greatly among the different trades.
Frost stated that the Electrical group has always been required to be bonded, but other trades weren’t required to be bonded, but had to carry liability insurance. The Builders never had a Board like the trades, and when this started out the Contractor Board would consist of people from each Trade Boards. Once the trades got withdrawn it has become just a Building Board at the present time. The Contractor Licensing allows everyone to have one set of rules.
Wilkus asked if there was an advantage to doing this process.
Frost responded he felt there was an advantage and also liked the continuing education part. A copy of the original Contractor Licensing draft was circulated.
Staff commented that the Electrical Board had basically begun this process several years ago. It was also his understanding that the program is designed to be added to down the road. This year it is Builders, Framers, and Concrete workers, later Pool Installers, and Roofers might be added. One issue the Electrical Board fought for was the ability to deal with problem Contractors that continue to do improper or unsafe work.
Frost was concerned that if the Board remained of only Building personnel that someone in the Electrical Trade that needed to be dealt with may not get a proper hearing, since the Board would not have the expertise to hear that type of complaint.
Staff stated that as other people re-joined the ordinance the structure of the Board should change. He has never quite understood how one person from one Board could get the entire trade section pulled for further review, when during the all Board meeting it turns out the question wasn’t really about the ordinance.
Frost mentioned the Mechanical Board was not really in favor of continuing education, but now the State requires continuing education for Plumbing and Mechanical license holders. Once this happened they really didn’t have any choice but to endorse continuing education.
Staff stated some differences still exist in the amount of continuing education required by the State and by the Contractor Licensing Program.
Hardie questioned if this was still on the table or has been passed by the City Commission.
Staff stated that as far as Building Contractors, Framers, and Concrete Contractors were concerned it was a done deal. He also noted that the agreement between the City of Lawrence and Johnson County had been approved for them to provide the required continuing education as outlined in the Program.
Wilkus asked what fee would be associated with the new licensing program.
Staff responded that the initial fee at the moment is $200 dollars and that would include the continuing education fee. If you happen to be licensed in Johnson County and show proof of that, your fee would be $65 dollars. The $135 dollars pays for books, meals, breaks and the cost of class instructors. The classes attended by the Code Enforcement Staff were well presented and the entire program was very professional. Most issues have been worked out, but Staff cannot guarantee that they have all voted to be included back in. Those Boards will have to do something because with the State ordinance we will have to see those hours for renewal regardless if they come back into the Contractor Licensing Program or not.
Chairman Frost called for a vote to be included back into the Contractor Licensing program and to have a member placed on the Contractor Licensing Board. Vote passed unanimously.
Correspondence
Staff stated the only correspondence received were the two letters recognizing the new members: Dan Wilkus and Jeff Hardie. They are set up with books and contact information for meeting announcements.
Frost stated it was a welcome site to have new members in attendance and the ability to have a quorum, given some of the difficulties with attendance in the past.
New business
Frost asked if any members were interested in volunteering to serve as Vice-Chairman.
Russell Brickell stated he would be happy to hold that post.
A motion to elect Russell Brickell as Vice-Chairman was made by Frost and seconded by Hardie, motion passed.
Staff reported that the code change seminar offered by Inspections Supervisor Tim Pinnick has not been scheduled yet. Staff asked Mr. Pinnick prior to tonight’s meeting about the offer and he will be making some calls. Hopefully a choice of dates will be available to choose from.
Frost asked if that would be local.
Staff stated it would be held in the NR conference room during business hours and lunch would most likely be provided and should be a one day seminar.
Staff asked the Board if they thought a letter to a couple of members regarding their in-attendance would be appropriate. Staff thought maybe something has changed in respect to their schedules and this might provide them a dignified way to resign the duties of their Board appointments.
Frost stated he felt attendance was important and has been a problem in the past. A letter might be appropriate.
Hardie wondered if attendance at a minimum number of meetings might be required.
Frost stated a change in the by-laws may be necessary for that to be done.
Moncef questioned if meeting over the lunch hour was an option that could be explored.
Wilkus stated he works out of town and daytime meetings would not work for him. He stated the 6:00 pm time frame works well for him.
Hardie clarified the letter as being an offer of voluntary resignation of their post on the Board.
Frost stated that summer meetings are much harder to get attendance at and in the past the Board rarely met during the summer. At some time he hopes it will go back to that type of schedule. Frost suggested that Barry Walthall, Code Enforcement Manager be advised and make comment on the final letter and if it should be used. He felt he should be kept informed and have input on this matter also.
Frost asked when we are scheduled to begin the 2005 NEC review or where we were at on that.
Staff stated that after reviewing previous minutes it was suggested to begin the review after the code change seminar was completed.
Hadiji asked if the procedure used when adopting the 2002 NEC would be followed for the 2005 NEC in regards to taking the NEC and amendments before the City Commission.
Staff stated it should be the same procedure as before and he wasn’t really expecting a lot of public comment and had not heard anyone with any major issues with the 2005 NEC.
Brickell offered to check in with Mr. Pinnick on a regular basis to get some dates for the code change seminar.
A motion to adjourn was made by Frost.
The motion was seconded by Brickell, and motion passed.
The meeting ended at 6:40 pm.
Respectfully submitted,
Phil Burke, Secretary