REDWOOD EMPIRE ASSOCIATION
OF
CODE OFFICIALS


Minutes of the Meeting of Tuesday - December 7, 2004

 

1. Call to order

President Bill Schulze (County of Placer), called the meeting to order at 12:02 P.M. at the Petaluma Cattlemens.


2. Self Introductions

President Schulze welcomed 31 attendees and called for self-introductions.

3. Approval of Minutes

Minutes for the November 2, 2004, meeting were posted at the web site www.reaco.org and e-mailed.
M/S/Passed to accept the minutes as posted.


4. Officers and Committee Reports

a. Treasurer

Mike Enright (City of Santa Rosa) reported that the balance of the checking account was $7,149.86 and the balance of the CD was $11,563.84. It was noted that there is approximately $600 in outstanding obligations that are not included in the numbers presented.

b. Secretary

No report.


c. Vice President

No report.


d. President

No report.


e. Executive Committee

No report.


f. Education Committee

Ed Henry, County of Marin, announced that the class on accessibility standards would not be held in January. Ed suggested that the Chapter consider sponsoring the class in March or April.


g. Code Coordination Committee

No report.


h. ICC Liaison

Report provided during the program.


i. CALBO Liaison

It was noted that the CALBO Annual Business Meeting will be held in Yosemite in March.


j. Location Committee

Daryl Phillips, The Phillips Group, announced that the 2005 meeting locations are pending.

k. Donations Committee

     Noted that a vacancy has been created with the relocation of Dave Martinez. Members interested in            serving on the committee should contact Vice President Phillips.
    

5. Correspondence and Announcements

Mike Enright reported that a letter from a consulting firm identified the new interim State Architect as Richard Conrad.

Energy standards effective October 1, 2005, will require duct testing for heater replacement.

A letter was sent on behalf of the Chapter endorsing Steve Jensen for a position on the Building Standards Commission.


6. Legislative News

President Schulze reported that the Building Standards Division of HCD has an ADA checklist for R-3 occupancies. This may be a topic that the Chapter will want to follow in the future.

Legislation is being introduced that may affect public employee retirement plans.


7. Code Issues

Joe Willer, City of American Canyon, asked about requirements for electrical panels that are missing the dead front panel and where replacements are hard to obtain. Various opinions were offered about the need to meet the listing versus the need to have a practical solution.

Peter Bruck, City of Rohnert Park, discussed the requirements for tactile exit signs in commercial buildings. There is a difference between the California standard and the federal standard for Braille.

DeWayne Starnes, County of Sonoma, inquired about interpreting the tread width requirements for winding staircases. It was the consensus of the group that the minimum width in the center is nine inches. The staircase must have consistent dimensions or enter a landing if there is a change.


8. Old Business

Election of 2005 Officers

The slate recommended by the nominating committee was reviewed:

President Daryl Phillips, The Phillips Group
Vice President Doug Williams, Rincon Valley Fire
Secretary Mike Enright, City of Santa Rosa
Treasurer DeWayne Starnes, County of Sonoma

M(Ron Averiette)/S(Steve Jensen)/Passed to approve recommended slate.


9. Program

John Henry, International Code Council presided over the installation of the 2005 officers and presented an update on the ICC and the State of California. All officers of the new board took the oath of office as administered.

The program started with an overview of the ICC. The headquarters offices of the three former code groups are now district offices of the ICC. Most of the old phone numbers are still valid for the new organization.

An overview of the code cycle was presented. Instead of annual updates, the code hearings will be 18 months apart.

Mr. Henry further reported that since the California Building Code is still based on the 1997 edition of the UBC, the Building Standards Commission had updated the structural standards and that those standards are available on the web site www.bsc.ca.gov. Local jurisdictions would need to adopt the regulations locally if they are to apply to buildings regulated by local jurisdictions.

Information was provided about certification under the legacy codes. Questions can be referred to the Los Angeles office at (800) 423-6587 ext 3419.

An overview of the code adoption process in California was presented and a background on the political decisions that have been made in the past and the decisions that will need to be made in the future. It was noted that the Building Standards Commission had made a recommendation in July 2003, but an actual adoption has not been made at this point in time. The amendment process is on hold due to copyright questions that have arisen. It is anticipated that the Building Standards Commission will take additional action on the codes in 2005.

Several items related to the code for residential structures were discussed. It was noted that the Building Standards Commission had recommended approval of the IRC in July 2003.

It was also noted that the Evaluation Service for ICC is in Whittier and is a continuation from the legacy organization. The office is still noted for its technical services.


10. New Business

Outgoing President Schulze thanked the Chapter for the support during 2004. He noted that the Chapter is progressing well and encouraged everyone to have a successful year in 2005. Outgoing President Schulze presented Incoming President Phillips with a gavel.

Incoming President Phillips expressed his desire to continue the momentum that is occurring in the Chapter. Special recognition was given to Larry Jones for his faithful attention to the Chapter’s web site.

Mike Enright noted that various positions are open in the City of Santa Rosa.

Steve Jensen announced that he had accepted the position of Chief Building Official with the City of Napa effective on January 14, 2005, and would be leaving his position as Chief Building Official for the County of Marin.


11. Adjournment

Meeting was adjourned at 2:02 p.m.

Respectfully submitted by Doug Williams