City of Lawrence, KS

Board of Plumbers and Pipe Fitters

June 21, 2006 minutes

 

MEMBERS PRESENT:

 

Chairman Jim Carpenter, Co-Chairman Frank Lewis, Doug Dillon, Chuck Hoag and Kenny Breithaupt

 

 

 

MEMBERS ABSENT:

 

 

 

 

 

GUESTS PRESENT:

 

Craig Starks, Jayhawk Plumbing; Kyle Buerman, All Star Plumbing

 

 

 

Ex-Offico:

 

Mark Mills, Plumbing Inspector

 

 

 

 

Call meeting to order.

 

Carpenter called the meeting to order at 6:30 p.m.

 

Introductions

 

          The Board Members and guest introduced themselves.

 

Approval of the May 17, 2006 minutes

 

Breithaupt made a motion to approve the minutes of May 17, 2006. Lewis second the motion, the motion passed 5-0.

 

Conclude Craig Starks request to allow PEX piping.

         

          Carpenter asked Dillon if he had any comments on the issue.

 

Dillon stated that PEX was an approved material in the Uniform Plumbing Code and he did not have issue with the product. Dillon continued stating that his concern was with how easily the product was installed and that would create more licensing violators.

         

          Carpenter asked if Buerman wanted to speak on the issue.

         

Buerman replied that he thought approving the use of PEX would damage the plumbing industry in the City. Buerman explained that in Johnson County the plumbing contractors bid projects so close that it was hard to make any money because they could send unlicensed people out to install PEX.

 

Breithaupt responded stating that Johnson County did not require a licensed individual to be on the job, that they only required the company to hold a contractors license.

Dillon reiterated his concern on licensing stating that the City already had problems with unlicensed people performing work that requires a licensed individual.

 

Staff responded stated that the Neighborhood Resources Department had begun scheduling inspectors to conduct random licensing investigations at different construction sites. Staff also informed the Board that anyone that had information about an unlicensed individual doing work that required a license, could call the City anonymously and an inspector would be sent to the location to investigate.

 

Carpenter asked if there were any other comments.

 

Dillon stated that it worried him that out of town contractor may come into Lawrence with the introduction of PEX, but he hoped that the builders would keep the tax dollars in the City.

 

Breithaupt responded that he heard the same concern when the Board was discussing the PVC issue for drainage piping. Breithaupt continued saying that the Board was told that everyone that had a tape measure and a can of glue would become a plumber.

 

Carpenter stated that if there were no additional comments that a motion was in order.

 

Breithaupt made a motion to delete the ordinance.

 

Carpenter questioned if Breithaupt motion was to delete section 5-607.1 entirely.

 

Breithaupt clarified his motion stating that he wanted to add PEX to the list of approved materials in section 5-607.1.

         

Breithaupt made a motion to add PEX piping to the approved materials in section 5-607.1, Hoag second the motion, the motion passed 3-2.

                                                                                                         

Continuing education requirements

 

The Board had questions about the continuing education requirements the State enacted in July of 2005 for journeyman, master, and contractor licensed plumbing and mechanical individuals. The concern was what training would be acceptable to the City.

 

Staff first explained that all plumbing and mechanical licensures will be required to have twelve hours of continuing education every two years to fulfill the State requirement.

 

Staff then gave a handout to the Board of a website put together by Heart of America Chapter of Building Officials; Mo-Kan Chapter of International Association of Mechanical and Plumbing Officials; Kansas Plumbing, Heating, Cooling Contractors Association; Mechanical Trades Labor Organization of Kansas. Staff explained that these groups have a calendar with approved training available on their site.

 

Staff continued stating that it was likely the City would accept any of the training listed on the website’s calendar. Staff explained that the website had an application for trainers to get their training approved.

 

Staff informed the Board that options were being looked at like the possibility of the City requiring six hours of training every year to alleviate the confusion twelve hours every two years would create. Staff also informed the Board that they would be updated on any additional information. 

 

Carpenter stated that Brian Anderson that teaches a technical class has been trying to put together a syllabus for a class to meet the State’s requirement but the two year issue will make it difficult to schedule the class.

 

Adjourn.

         

With no other business a motion was made by Breithaupt to adjourn the meeting, Lewis second the motion, the motion passed 5-0.

 

Carpenter adjourned the meeting at 8:56 p.m.