PENNSYLVANIA ASSOCIATION OF CODE OFFICIALS
QUARTERLY MEETING MINUTES - SEPTEMBER 7, 2000
UPPER PROVIDENCE TOWNSHIP, OAKS PA
President, Todd Meltsch called the meeting to order at 0907.
ROLL CALL
Present:
President Todd Meltsch
Vice President Robert Duncan
Secretary Lee Milligan
Treasurer Robert Neely
Board of Directors:
Jeff Gentile
Brian Gallagher
APPROVAL OF MINUTES
A motion was made by Ernie Schmidt and seconded by Brian Gallagher to approve the minutes of June 29, 2000
MOTION APPROVED
PRESIDENTS REPORT
President Meltsch requested that the membership make any donation of items for the Bishop Sheen Foundation silent auction to be held at BOCA’s conference they feel appropriate. The President advised those members present that in lieu of donation’s PACO would be making a donation to this auction.
President Meltsch reviewed with those members present a letter sent by the PACO executive Board to L&I discussing the draft of the L&I certification procedure. Highlights of this letter included;
1. Maintenance of the CBO certification without further testing.
2. Proposed certification time dead lines of 5 & 10 years.
3. Provisions for the training of new hires into departments.
Mike Perrone reviewed discussion’s he has had with Jim Varhola of L&I regarding the CBO designation. It appears that this certification(CBO) is one of the main components of the proposed certification program. Mike also discussed the State’s legal concerns over Chapter 34 of the code and wether or not these provisions can be enforced retro actively on existing structures.
Mike DeMarco of Warminster raised an issue of L&I’s ability to comply with their own code and discussed Code Departments that are used by municipalities to generate funds in violation of the 1st & 2nd Class Township Code.
Vice President Bob Duncan suggested that we focus on our membership because there is little we can do to influence L&I’s problems or to correct bad Municipal practice.
President Meltsch reviewed some changes to our Web Site. They included a By-Law page, inclusion of the latest minutes, and addition of links to other web sites.
TREASURERS REPORT
Current Quarterly balance of $10,839.00 was reported, a motion was made by Stan Altzman with a second by Ernie Schmidt to accept the treasurer’s report.
MOTION APPROVED
COMMITTEE REPORTS
MEMBERSHIP COMMITTEE
Lee Milligan reported as follows;
4 New Members
Andrew D. Lewis
Upper Darby
John P. Casey
Upper Darby
Dennis Torres
Tredyffrin Township
Joseph Kelly
Advanced Home Inspections
EDUCATION COMMITTEE
Bob Duncan reported as follows;
Our next quarterly meeting will be held on December 19th.
We have several upcoming training sessions including the,
PACO
Sponsored Building Code For Builders October 3rd
PACO
sponsored Residential Plan Review Course on October 23 & 24
PACO
co-sponsored Residential Plan Review Course 1998
PACO
co-sponsored Fire Protection Systems/1996
PACO
sponsored Accessibility 2000 December 8th
IF YOU HAVE ANY SUGGESTIONS FOR FUTURE PROGRAMMING PLEASE CONTACT ANY OFFICER WITH YOUR SUGGESTION.
Bob Duncan is looking into contacting L&I to see if they can explain their current progress in developing the Department Regulations for Act 45.
CODE REVIEW COMMITTEE
Brian Gallagher provided a newsletter ( Great Job) that highlighted several issues relative to our profession. In addition Stan Altzman advised that the Electrical contractor licensing proposal has been revived in Harrisburg. Mike Perrone advised that there is some federal law proposed that would exempt religious uses from compliance with local Zoning and Land Development review.
NOMINATIONS COMMITTEE
Bob Loeper reported that his committee has reviewed the candidates for the upcoming BOCA elections and made the recommendations attached Bob also advised that we would be accepting request for endorsements from anyone interested in running for office in PACO these elections will be held in March 2001. A Motion was made by Todd Meltsch With A Second By Cal Bonnenberger to support the slate of candidates recommended by the Nomination Committee.
MOTION APPROVED
Mike Perrone Abstained
OLD BUSINESS
By- law changes:
The by-law changes were reviewed by President Meltsch and a motion was made by Ernie Schmidt with a second by Jeff Gentile to adopt these changes.
MOTION APPROVED
PENNBOC:
PENNBOC has requested a clarification of our reciprocal agreement with them regarding training fees. Lee Milligan and Jeff Gentile have had some inquires regarding our policy. President Meltsch supported this policy with the clarification that this be a policy initiated with PENNBOC as a whole not just Region 1.
In addition Lee Milligan reported on his discussions with the PENNBOC State Executive Board regarding Chapter Status within the Executive Board structure. Lee Milligan explained this was done in an effort to speak as one voice regarding statewide issues. President Meltsch reflected on the possibility that PACO may lose its identity in this process and preferred the joint resolution approach. Mike Perrone expressed his observation regarding the loss of credibility by PENNBOC with L&I and thought we may be better off on our own. Mike also felt that our voice is heard better if we are a separate organization. It was agreed that we would await the PENNBOC response and evaluate the appropriateness at that time
BOCA Merger with ICC:
Mike Perrone presented the BOCA line on their proposed merger with ICC. Mike introduced the proposed Resolution that would merge the services and support structure into ICC and explained how the various code agencies would continue to provide those services in the service areas in which they excel. He indorsed the resolution and recommended that we make any changes we may feel necessary. Further he explained the proposed changes to be made in the code change process to create a true consensus code change process. ANSI review of this proposed process will insure that we end up with a true consensus process
Bob Loeper thought it would be important to note the make up of the ICC Board and that this is made up of Code Officials. Todd Meltsch, Bob Neely & Bob Duncan questioned wether or not this would continue as policy or would this process allow private industry to assume rolls on the ICC Board of Directors. Mike felt this was a good point but was not sure this had been discussed.
Bob Duncan questioned wether or not we would have another shot at this resolution or do we have to react here?
President Meltsch questioned why we allow a system to be created that could lead to potential corruption of the vote. Have other model code groups approved this change? Mike suggested that the other groups are in support of this position.
Bob Neely questioned what benefit will ICC derive from this change? Mike Perrone explained that this allows the ICC to speak as one voice in hopes of preventing another ADA occurrence. Mike further related his conversation with Curt Weldon in which Rep. Weldon explained the need to speak as one voice and not as separate organizations representing small segments of the Nation.
A motion was made by Cal Bonnberger with a second by Ernie Schmidt to approve the resolution as drafted by BOCA.
This motion was amended by Lee Milligan with a second by Bob Duncan to include a provision to include a balanced oversight committee with the authority to overrule the consensus vote if any impropriety is suspected in the consensus vote.
MOTION AS AMENDED DEFEATED
ORIGINAL MOTION APPROVED
NEW BUSINESS
A question was raised concerning proposals for CO detectors being a requirement of the code.
A fruit basket and card was ordered by President Meltsch for the family of Dave Fouchs who was killed in a car accident. Stan Altzman to handle arrangements
A motion was made by Robert Neely with a second by Stan Altzman to adjourn
MOTION APPROVED
RESPECTFULLY SUBMITTED
LEE MILLIGAN
SECRETARY