CITY COMMISSION AGENDA ITEM

Department:	Planning and Development Services		Commission Meeting Date:  April 16, 2019
Staff Contact:	Barry Walthall, Building Official
Recommendations/Options/Action Requested:
Adopt ordinance No. 9634 on first reading, repealing existing Chapter 5, Article 15 of the Code of the City of Lawrence, 2018 Edition, and enacting, in its place, Chapter 5, Article 15 of the Code of the City of Lawrence, Kansas, 2018 Edition, and amendments thereto, pertaining to the licensing of contractors, if appropriate. Adopt ordinance No. 9663 on first reading, amending Chapter 5, Article 17 of the Code of the City of Lawrence, 2018 Edition, and amendments thereto, pertaining to licensing residential plumbers and repealing Section 5-1706, if appropriate.
Executive Summary:		Proposed ordinance No. 9634 repeals and replaces existing Chapter V, Article 15 of the City of Lawrence code regarding licensing of building contractors, resulting in significant changes as follow: 1. The current process for contractor discipline for alleged violations of contractor license regulation or violations of law requires that complaints be directed to the Contractor Licensing Board for disposition, with possible appeal of any disciplinary action going to the City Commission. The proposed ordinance would allow the administrative authority to discipline contractors. Appeals would be heard by the Building Code Board of Appeals, who would be the final authority. This allows the board to act on appeals rather than as an investigative body as currently exists, and removes the City Commission from the appeal process. Any dispute of the board’s decision would be directed to district court. 2. Continuing education requirements for contractors would be established by administrative policy subject to approval by the City Commission. The current requirement is for contractors to obtain eight hours of continuing education annually. The amount of continuing education would most likely remain as is, but administrative policy would provide for more detailed regulations, such as the qualification requirements for education providers and the types of education that would be recognized. 3. At the request of representatives of local roofing contracting companies, the proposed ordinance establishes a new license classification for roofing contractors. Roofing contractors would have similar qualification requirements as other license categories, including proof of insurance, with the addition of a requirement to maintain compliance with the Kansas Roofing Registration Act, which requires roofers to register with the State. During the period from the effective date of the ordinance through September 30, 2019, roofing contractors are provided with an alternative option to obtain a license by demonstrating a minimum of five years of experience, current registration by the State of Kansas, and registration by the State of Kansas prior to July 1, 2018. 4. The proposed ordinance creates a new license classification for swimming pool contractors. Swimming pool contractors have been required to obtain a contractor license to obtain permits since the beginning of the licensing program in 2005, but there has not been a separate license classification. These contractors have obtained various types of licenses to perform work in Lawrence, typically either Class C Residential or Class D Concrete. Establishing a separate classification for swimming pool contractors allows them access to the program through successful completion of a swimming pool contractor certification exam rather than residential contractor or concrete exams. Since these contractors have been required to obtain licenses since 2005 no alterative process has been established. Contractors already in the program that have obtained permits in Lawrence for installation of swimming pools may reclassify as a swimming pool contractor if they so desire. Proposed Ordinance No. 9663 amends Chapter V, Article 17 to create a new licensing category for residential plumbers. This change was requested by the Executive Director of Peaslee Tech, and mirrors similar license classifications for electricians and HVAC technicians already established in the City’s trade licensing program.
Strategic Plan Critical Success Factor		Effective Governance/Professional Administration Safe, Healthy, and Welcoming Neighborhoods
Fiscal Impact (Amount/Source):		The fiscal impact to the City is negligible.
Attachments:		Ordinance No. 9634 Ordinance No. 9663

Reviewed By: (for CMO use only)

☐TM ☒DS ☐CT ☐BM