PENNSYLVANIA ASSOCIATION OF CODE OFFICIALS
QUARTERLY MEETING MINUTES – December 12, 2002
ASTM BUILDING

President Bob Duncan called the meeting to order with the Pledge of Allegiance.

ROLL CALL

President: Bob Duncan
Vice President: Lee Milligan
Secretary: Jeff Gentile
Treasurer: Brian Gallagher

Board of Directors:
Calvin Bonenberger, Jr.
Dan Kerr
Bob Loeper

PRESIDENT’S REPORT:

President wishes to follow up on the area of training. DCCC has expanded the training in the area of codes and certifications, with somewhat elaborate programs in plumbing and building. He is in receipt of a letter from Drexel University where there is a program specific to code officials and the certifications process, as well as a code official program on the Internet. Bob Fitch suggested several others: the Abington and Berks County Campuses of Penn State University for electrical as well as other programs.

President states that we will develop an e-mail distribution list of members. We are asking members to provide their e-mail address at renewal for 2003. Use of e-mail will improve communications and also save costs. It is noted that the US mail will be used for those who do not have Internet accessibility.

TREASURER’S REPORT

Please see Treasurer’s Report hand-out.

Closing balance as
of 9/16/02: $xx,xxx.xx
Deposits: $x,xxx.xx
Expenses: -$x,xxx.xx
Investments: $x,xxx.xx
Net: $xx,xxx.xx

MOTION APPROVED TO ACCEPT TREASURER’S REPORT.

The Treasurer asked for approval to transfer $x,xxx from checking account into a CD/Money Market account because only $xx-xx,xxx is needed to cover seminar expenses.

There was some debate regarding the movement of funds to the CD or Money Market accounts. President noted that with an audit by an accounting firm coming up due to PACO’s incorporation, it might be best to table this move at this time. Also the accountant may have some better ideas. However, despite the misgivings, it was decided to move $x,xxx into the Money Market account where funds are liquid if there is a need for withdrawal.

MOTION APPROVED TO MOVE $x,xxx INTO MONEY MARKET ACCOUNT.

MEMBERSHIP REPORT

Jeff Gentile reports that two new members have joined our ranks. We now have over 200 members.

EDUCATION REPORT

Lee Milligan reports that Matthias Mulvey from Thermofiber will discuss fire containment in multi-story buildings and Thermofiber installation and inspection.

Lee hopes to have E.P. Henry or Superior Wall in for a presentation at our next quarterly meeting, March 19, 2003.

Spring Forum is tentatively scheduled for April 28 and 29, 2003 pending availability of facilities. There is a possibility that certification testing can be scheduled for April 30, 2003. One certification that might be lined up for that date is the State CBO Supplemental Exam, which is in its very early development stages but will hopefully be available by the April 30th date.

Programs for the Spring Forum are not yet in place. However, meetings will held in December and January to formulate plans. Lee reminds members that it is not too late to sign up to be a part of this Spring Forum planning committee.

ICC CODE REVIEW PROCESS

Brian Gallagher reports that a total of six PACO members so far will represent PACO in the ICC code review process, with three expressing interest since the mailing of the last newsletter. At the request of Tim Ryan of BOCA we are attempting to expand the scope of the code review committee in Pennsylvania by further representation of PACO members. We will be forwarding each application and resume to BOCA and ICC.

Brian encourages all members to consider being a part of this important process by forwarding your resume.

NOMINATIONS

Todd Meltsch reports the following:

• Todd encourages membership to submit names for the PACO award. He states that information regarding the award is on the website.
• Regarding the five added positions on the Board of Directors, Todd encourages membership to apply. As you know, the number of directors will be increased in the By-Laws, by vote by the membership at the today’s meeting. Please contact Todd by February.
• Call Todd at 610-683-3290 or e-mail him at Tmeltsch@kutztownboro.org with your nominations.

OLD BUSINESS

By-Law Changes

President read the changes to the membership in the By-Laws as follows:

• Article IV – Elections, Section 4-2.0, 4-2.1, 4-6.0, subsection (A) and (B)
• Article X – Board of Directors.

The changes bring about the increase of the Board of Directors from three to five members at large, as well as changing the term from April 1 of the current year through March 31st of the final year. See By-Laws hand-out.

Implementation of these changes will occur at the March 13, 2003 meeting. NOTE: Associate members are not eligible for Board of Director positions.

MOTION APPROVED TO ACCEPT CHANGES IN BY-LAWS.

PACO Hats and Shirts are available.

Quarterly Book Sales have generated approximately $500.

NEW BUSINESS

Act 99

Calvin Bonenberger discussed the Act 99 Municipal Code Enforcement Act. He notes that this Act was pushed by the realtors’ lobbyists group. The Act prohibits communities from withholding Use and Occupancy certificate unless there is a substantial violation (i.e., unfit for human habitation). In accordance with the Act, the buyer has the responsibility to make repairs on a property, removing the liability from seller. The buyer can then be fined up to $10,000 if repairs are not made.

Calvin asks the membership if there is any interest in a seminar on Act 99. Lee Milligan stated that the seminar could be made a part of the Spring Forum.

Tax Exempt Status/Accounting Services

President relates that the Board of Directors, via Dan Kerr, has done much work to research the setting up of accounting services as well as tax exempt status for our Chapter. Three proposals were received and the Board has decided to hire attorney Joe Bagley, Wisler, Pearlstine, Talone, Craig & Potash to set up incorporation as a non-profit and filing for tax exempt status. Also, the firm of Dunlap and Associates was chosen to prepare the accounting system for PACO as well as the preparation of the annual federal tax forms needed. Please see December 4, 2002 memo to membership regarding this matter.

MOTION APPROVED FOR PAYMENT OF $1,500, WITH AN ADDITION $500 IF NECESSARY TO JOE BAGLEY OF WISLER, PEARLSTINE, TALONE, CRAIG & POTASH, TO BEGIN THE PROCESS OF SETTING UP PACO’S INCORPORATION AS A TAX EXEMPT ORGANIZATION.

MOTION APPROVED FOR PAYMENT OF $1,200 TO DUNLAP ASSOCIATES, TO SET UP PACO’S BOOKS AND FEDERAL 990 FORM.

Policy Change

There was some discussion regarding increasing the minimum expenditure from $300 to $500 before approval needed from membership. It was decided to table this change until we get more information from accountants.

Statewide Expansion of PACO

Lee Milligan talks about the statewide expansion of PACO:

• We need strong representation at the State and ICC level
• We need to influence State L&I as well as the Legislature
• Possible formation of an umbrella organization that will represent all ICC chapters to make our concerns known at the State level and oversee training
• President should draft a letter to code groups statewide soliciting their support for PACO. (Calvin noted that AIA may be interested in this effort)

There was much discussion on other groups being involved, as well as existing building code legislation and its historical value.

President noted that other organizations try to secure our membership list to solicit our members. Mr. Duncan advises membership to never give out our membership list. It is suggested that any organization that wishes to contact membership should do so by submitting material to be sent out with our mailing. It should be noted that when asked, none of the membership present is interested in changing this policy.

CLOSING

There being no further business, the business part of this meeting was adjourned.

Respectfully submitted,

JEFFREY N. GENTILE
SECRETARY

dme
3/5/03