PENNSYLVANIA ASSOCIATION OF CODE
OFFICIALS
QUARTERLY MEETING MINUTES – June 19, 2003
ASTM BUILDING
President Bob Duncan called the meeting to
order with the Pledge of Allegiance.
ROLL CALL
President: Lee Milligan
Vice President: Jeff Gentile
Secretary: Brian Gallagher (absent)
Treasurer: Calvin Bonenberger, Jr.
Board of Directors:
Glen Holt
Dan Kerr
Bob Loeper
Bob Neely
Kevin Pezzano
SECRETARY’S REPORT:
PACO members were asked to review meeting minutes for March 13th, 2003.
MOTION APPROVED TO ACCEPT MARCH 13, 2003 MINUTES.
PRESIDENT’S REPORT:
ICC Update
President announced that ICC has a new chairman. James Witt replaces Bob
Heinrich. Mr. Witt has a strong background in Federal government, working
previously for the Carter administration in FEMA. It is felt that his leadership
will be very beneficial to the ICC because of his background. We are very
excited about this change in leadership at ICC.
ICC has made it very clear that they intend to support the chapters’ endeavors.
ICC has also provided a new banner (at no charge to PACO), and we have had our
logo silk screened on it. ICC intends to continue the book discount program, the
sponsorship of the chapter President to the ICC conference, and a day of
training as part of our ICC chapter status.
ICC has done away with the chapter numbering system, because of redundancy of
chapter numbers.
The upcoming ICC conference will be 9/5-9/12/03 in Nashville, TN. President
encourages all members who have the budgetary means to attend. The registration
form is not yet available, however, you can see the schedule by looking in the
ICC website. The website also includes links to the airlines as well as to the
Opryland Hotel, where you will get a conference discount hotel rate. In this
way, you can make all arrangements, and then fill out the registration form when
it is provided.
Book Order Program
As stated, book ordering (through Bob Duncan’s Office) will continue. Bob Neely
brought in books for sale today. Since there is a 10% discount on all books, the
municipalities are encouraged to buy in this way. Members can place orders for
the 2003 code cycle including the books on the adoption of Act 45.
Act 45 Update
Lee introduced Bill Hartz, from ICC and Doug Meashall, from Pennsylvania
Builders Association to update the group on Act 45. President states on June 9,
L&I withdrew the regulations from the IRC Committee for consideration of issues
that were raised at the “eleventh hour.” The issues are as follows:
President states that he has received e-mails
from John Balson from L&I stating that the regulations are “pulled” for 30 days,
to give everyone an opportunity to make adjustments to the above issues. We have
been assured that in 30 days the regulations will be reintroduced to the IRC
Committee. Lee feels that there is legitimacy to the idea of the reintroduction,
although there has been some reason for concern due to past behaviors, leading
him to believe that 45 or 60 days could be likely. No timeline has been
published as to how the 30 days will impact the municipalities’ adoption. The
original window for adoption by the municipalities was October, 2003 to January,
2004, and the 30 days may indeed impact the adoption date for the
municipalities.
Bill Hartz addressed the group. He reiterates that the biggest issue is the
minor repairs for residential, and if the homeowner needs permit. He states the
wording for this section might be written similar to what is seen in the states
of Virginia and New Jersey. Bill feels the timeline will be January, February
and March for the municipalities to adopt. He worries that adjournment of the
House for the summer season will severely impact the adoption of Act 45. He
suggests that members contact their legislators and ask for support the Act as
well its revisions from L&I.
Doug Meashall addressed the group also. Mr. Meashall describes the circumstances
leading up the 30 day hold on the voting for Act 45. He states that one state
legislator had a problem with the homeowner repair portion of the Act, stating
he had 600 constituents that would be meeting to protest the passing of the Act.
The Governor’s Chief Lobbyist had to make the decision to delay the vote until
such time as the above listed issues were resolved. As a result, Mr. Meashall
informs the group that attorneys for the Pennsylvania Builders Association have
been instructed to begin working on legal action which would begin on the 31st
day if the Act is not passed. Also a large public relation blitz will be done.
The Governor’s office and L&I have been informed of the intentions of the PBA.
Mr. Meashall also asks the group to call their local legislators especially if
they are members of the House Labor Relations Committee or House Local
Government Committee, to encourage them to vote yes. Many State Legislators
issued press releases on Act 45 stating that the bill could be delayed for up to
two more years. (Labor & Industry does have two years by law to reintroduce the
bill. However, if the bill is not sent back to the joint committees and/or IRC
for these minor changes, it would have to start the whole process over again.)
Question was raised from the floor as to what the impact of Act 45 on PACO
members if it does not pass. Lee states he fears that code officials will not
receive the professional recognition fought for over the last 15-20 years. Also
as the PACO’s support of the certification program could be impacted, as well.
However, most importantly, the standardization of the code for better and more
consistent construction will be most severely hurt.
Much discussion ensued on this topic.
It was suggested that PACO take a strong stand on Act 45’s passing in the
Pennsylvania Senate. President states that today’s meeting of the Executive
Board will be convened to put together a letter regarding PACO’s support of this
important legislation.
MOTION APPROVED TO SUPPORT ACT 45 VIA A LETTER FROM PACO PRESIDENT.
There was further discussion about taking legal action in regard to Act 45.
President states that that idea will be kept separate from the above motion and
warrants further discussion.
Executive Board Meeting
President states that Executive Board Meeting will be held today after regular
meeting and E.P. Henry training session. He asks that all board members as well
as committee members attend to discuss fall education and Act 45. Also, there
will be a discussion of the informal invitation from PENNBOC for PACO member to
be a part of their Statewide Executive Board.
TREASURER’S REPORT:
Please see 2nd Quarter of 2003 Treasurer’s Report hand-outs.
Checking Account:
$ xx,xxx.xx Deposits and Interest
$ x,xxx.xx Expenses from Checking
Spring Forum Expenses:
$ x,xxx.xx Golf Outing & Dinner
$ xxx.xx Door Prizes
$ xxx.xx Awards
$ xxx.xx Misc. Exp/Supplies
$ x,xxx.xx Signs for Golf Fund Raiser
$ x,xxx.xx Kelly’s Sporting Goods
$ x,xxx.xx ICC Code Books
$ xx,xxx.xx Concordville Conference Center
$ xx,xxx.xx Subtotal
$ xx,xxx.xx Revenue
NET INCOME: $x,xxx.xx
E-Bank Investment:
$ x,xxx.xx $x,000 account
$ x,xxx.xx $x,000 account
$ x,xxx.xx $x,000 Money Market
$ xx,xxx.xx Subtotal
Checking Account as of 4/30/03:
$ xx,xxx.xx Balance
$ xx,xxx.xx Investment
$ xx,xxx.xx Checking balance
NET WORTH ON APRIL 30, 2003: $xx,xxx.xx
Question was raised regarding the $x,000 Money Market. President states that
there will be further discussion about this amount at July’s full Executive
Board Meeting. We may decide to put that money into other
securities/investments.
MOTION APPROVED TO ACCEPT TREASURER’S REPORT.
MEMBERSHIP REPORT:
Jeff Gentile reports that as of this date, we have over 200 renewals for 2003.
Jeff urges anyone who has not renewed to send in the renewal as soon as
possible.
Question was raised on how to handle memberships for people who do not currently
work for a municipality or company, but are anticipating a career in the code
enforcement field. President states we have an affiliate membership status for
those individuals, which is a nonvoting member. Jeff states that with all the
recent publicity on code enforcement that PACO organization could be an
important advantage for those people.
EDUCATION REPORT:
E.P. Henry – Kevin Early
Today’s presentation will be regarding segmental retaining wall systems.
Fall Training
Lee is proposing training in the fall, which will be similar to the Spring Forum
Training, i.e., two days of training with a test, and as stated will be
discussed at today’s Executive Board Meeting.
NOTE: Regarding ICC testing at the Spring Forum, it is noted that scores
were higher.
Lee interjects that PACO would like to do a single track of training that would
culminate the general building inspection examination, e.g., with training
session for Fire Resistant Construction, and Means of Egress. Dates and times to
be worked out.
Jeff states there are other systems training that could be made available such
as Superior Wall Systems for pre-fab foundation systems.
Discussion was precipitated by Cal Bonenberger Jr. regarding career counseling
on certifications via PACO for new code enforcers. Let Cal know if you are
interested.
Also, Cal states that he was approached by a Delaware County legislator who
wanted to set up a tour of the new Phillies Stadium in South Philly while it is
under construction to any PACO member or interested party.
Residential Plumbing and Mechanical Inspection Training
Jeff let the group know that Pennsylvania Construction Codes Academy is offering
training in July and September for the above topic with two and a half day
sessions. He states the sessions will be held in Crawford, Luzerne, Clearfield,
Lycoming and Westmoreland Counties. Certification exams are generally given on
the Saturdays following each of training.
Lee has been working with the PHRC on the development of these programs. He
cautions the group that training programs may not be enough to enable you to
take the certification test and pass. You need more preparation than just the
training session in order to pass the certifications. He suggests that when
preparing for the certification, the individual should start by studying months
in advance. Studying plan sets and taking tests that are available online.
Jeff asked if any of the training and examinations will be more geographically
placed to Southeastern Pennsylvania. Lee states that PSATs will partner with
PACO for training, bringing these programs to our area.
Delaware County Community College is offering excellent programs in this
vicinity. It is felt that as time goes and with the enactment of Act 45, more
colleges and trade schools will also be offering the various training needed for
code enforcers and related fields.
Some discussion ensued on training/certification for existing building codes for
those code officials in older communities. Also the locations of the
certification testing were discussed.
Code Review Committee
Cal states that the committee was successful in getting in the Code Change
Proposal into the ICC before the deadline. Cal thanks the committee for their
help in the preparation of that proposal.
He and Kevin have been working with the Secretary of the Fire Code Committee for
the submission at the ICC Conference in September in Nashville. Cal relates that
the Secretary is in a position to make recommendations before the proposal is
submitted to the full committee. The Secretary helped to refine the proposal so
that the recommendations have a better shot at a proper review. Cal states the
refinements given to them by the Secretary were not based on intent of the
proposal, but on its structure. Cal will let the group know exactly when the
Proposal will be looked at so that PACO committee members can attend to offer
their support.
Congressman Weldon will be the keynote speaker at the ICC Conference. Cal notes
that the Congressman has “adopted” our code change proposal as he is introducing
legislation for discounts for those property owners who install sprinkler
systems in homes or commercial buildings. Cal hopes to have the congressman talk
privately to the PACO members present at the ICC Conference Board of Directors
meeting.
NOMINATIONS:
Todd Meltsch reports for Bob Duncan. He states that Bob has nothing to report
since BOCA nominees used to send letters of support to local BOCA Chapters.
Since the ICC/BOCA merger this practice has been discontinued.
OLD BUSINESS:
PACO Incorporation and Non-Profit Status
Dan Kerr updates the group that PACO has applied and received our fictitious
name. He states that we meet the legal requirements for incorporation. Dan will
draft a resolution for Board of Directors approval for the September meeting.
In regard to non-profit status, Dan has spoken to our attorney regarding fees.
The attorney states that the $750-$800 fee covers all filing fees. We received a
bill for the incorporation process for $350. Dan will be working with the
attorneys for further information they need for the non-profit status.
Lee thanks Dan for his work on this legal business.
NEW BUSINESS:
Bill Hartz reports that as stated above we have a new chairman of the ICC, James
Witt. Please see handout for more information.
Also the handout includes Memorandum of Understanding International Association
of Fire Chiefs, and will be the dominant influence on all fire codes in the
future. James Tidwell will be directing the Fire Service.
Reminder: Fee schedule is changed for ICC. Fees will probably be less for most
of our municipalities, and each will receive four to eight memberships in
accordance to population. If there are memberships left over after your
inspectors are signed up, consider giving a membership to your mayor or township
manager.
Bill suggests to members to attend the ICC conference in September. He states
that costs can be kept lower by eliminating the outings and parties.
Regarding certifications, if you haven’t already you will be receiving a listing
of the certifications on record at ICC. Please check this list carefully, since
three lists were merged into one database there are bound to be
inconsistencies/mistakes. If there is a need for corrections, send the
correction back to ICC. Also renewal forms can be downloaded from the internet
website.
Bill has books for ICC and Experior certifications available for members.
The question was raised about a mailing for Certified Code Officials received, a
separate membership with ICC. Explanation: for those who are certified, but are
not a member of ICC, the fee is $75 for a full but non-voting membership.
Much discussion ensues regarding BOCA to ICC memberships, past and present, and
the way ICC will handle same.
A discussion of tagging of fire alarm systems also ensues, as well as fire/code
official sign-offs for fire alarm systems. A letter of support from PACO will be
needed. Kevin Pezzano will draft this letter for signature by the Executive
Board.
Another committee assignment for a PACO member: Lee has been assigned to the
NCPCCI Building Code Certification Exam Development Committee. Also assigned was
Bob Loeper who is on CBO Committee and Cal Bonenberger, Jr. is on the Existing
Building Code Committee. This brings three assignments to our membership with
the ICC or related organizations. All are encouraged to volunteer for committee
assignments. The committee volunteer form can be downloaded from the ICC
website. We must stay active at the National level of the ICC.
Regarding the Statewide Registration Information Program, Lee has recently been
signed on as a Commercial Current Code Administrator. It is his understanding
that this membership does not qualify him as a Residential Inspector. Lee plans
to check with L&I regarding this membership. He is under the understanding that
he must pay $50 for Residential Inspector.
CLOSING
There being no further business, the business part of this meeting was
adjourned.
Respectfully submitted,
JEFFREY N. GENTILE, P.E.
SECRETARY
dme
9/3/03