City of Lawrence

Mechanical Board of Appeals

March 4, 2010 minutes

MEMBERS PRESENT:	Gary Mohr-Chairman, Kevin Chaney-Vice-Chairman, Bryan Wyatt, Mark Jarboe
MEMBERS ABSENT:	Laura Blanchard
GUEST PRESENT:	None
STAFF PRESENT: EX-OFFICIO:	None Patrick O’Brien, Building Inspector II

Chair called the meeting to order at 4:37 p.m.

Review and approve minutes from January 28, 2010

After review, Chaney stated he remembered recommending David Sparkes for the board position being vacated by Bryan Wyatt.  Staff said the change would be made. Jarboe moved to accept the minutes as changed. Seconded by Mohr; Passed 4-0.

Discuss provisions in the energy code that affect the mechanical trade

The board reviewed a proposed amendment made by the Building Code Board of Appeals to the duct leakage provisions in the energy portions of the IRC.  The proposal consisted of testing only the parts of the system that is outside the thermal envelope as opposed to testing the entire system when any portion of the system is outside the thermal envelope.  Mohr stated the amount of leakage that is already allowed is at such a minimal level that he would not feel comfortable lessening the requirement and would be inclined to strengthen the provisions and base the leakage on square footage of the ductwork instead of square footage of the floor area of the home. 

Staff stated there was an additional proposal that was discussed to require only every seventh house be tested, but was dropped because of equitability issues.

Wyatt stated there could be legal ramifications with issues of selective enforcement being brought against the city. 

Mohr stated that by only testing the duct outside the envelope, there would be actually be more leakage allowed on a critical part of the duct system. 

Wyatt recommended sending a written response to the building board with the board comments on the proposed amendment, the board agreed.

Staff will draft a memo in response to the Building Board’s proposal and bring back to the board for approval.    

Review proposed amendments from previous meeting

Staff stated the proposed amendments for the condensate drain sizing section were presented to other staff members and was deemed to be difficult to enforce based on the sizes called for and the number of units that could be connected together.  The board recommended changes to the chart.  Staff will make the changes. 

Miscellaneous

Wyatt stated that concerning board member appointments that the board could make a separate recommendation from City staff and then the Mayor has discretion to appoint who he chooses.  Chaney stated David Sparkes was interested in serving on the board at previous vacancies and was still interested in serving on the board.  Chaney stated he would like to see them reconsider the nomination before the appointment is made. 

Chaney made a motion to recommend David Sparkes to fill the vacant position on the board. Seconded by Wyatt; Passed 3-0-1.  Mohr abstained stating he did not know David Sparkes.

Adjourn

Motion to adjourn made by Chaney.  Seconded by Jarboe; passed 4-0.  Meeting adjourned at 5:16 p.m.

Members	1/28/10	3/04/10
Gary Mohr	+	+
Kevin Chaney	+	+
Bryan Wyatt	EA	+
Mark Jarboe	+	+
Laura Blanchard	+	EA

Attendance Roster

+=Present; EA=Excused Absence; A=Absent