HomeMy WebLinkAboutBuilding Review Board - Minutes - 09/29/1994V
September 29, 1994
Building Review Board
Minutes
Mike called meeting to order in the City Council Chambers.
Members Present:
Staff Present:
Staff Liaison:
Council Liaison:
Harry Cornell
Mike Sutton
Rudy Hansch
John Meleski
Mark Goldrich
Felix Lee
Ann Chantler
Felix Lee
Ann Azari
Minutes were approved from the September meeting.
Rich Uren appeared before the Board requesting a Class B
certificate.
Mr. Uren stated he has approximately eight years residential work,
is a licensed professional engineer (structural), a certified soil
technician, and certified concrete technician. He recently passed
the test in Wyoming for a general contractor's license.
Ken Groathouse, owner, appeared before the Board. He stated the
project Groathouse would be building is a pre-school, 10,000 square
feet.
Board member Meleski stated this job verification form indicated
Mr. Uren had one project with 20 buildings. Mr. Meleski asked Mr.
Lee if that would qualify as 20 projects.
Mr. Lee stated each building could be considered one project.
Board member Cornell stated Mr. Uren had hands on experience, as
well as quality control and education.
Mr. Uren stated he planned an entire University of Wyoming project,
114 units.
Mr. Uren stated he was the general contractor and was responsible
for sub -contractors. He said the first 11 months he was under a
project manage and the last five months he was the project manager.
He also stated he was in the field doing on site inspections. He
specialized in concrete, steel. He said he designed two elementary
schools in Laramie, concrete slab -on -grade, designed wood beams,
wood columns, and water treatment plant in Wy. He was constructor
inspector. He said he also worked on the Bank of Laramie and a
prison. Prior to getting his degree he noted he did a lot of hands
on work, drafting, surveying, and is building his own home.
Board member Meleski moved to grant
Board member Cornell seconded the
Hansch, Meleski. The motion passed.
The meeting was adjourned.
Mr. Uren a Class B certificate.
motion. Yeas: Cornell, Sutton,
V
September 29, 1994
Building Review Board
Special Meeting - Review additional license for Class D
Present: Harry Cornell
Rudy Hansch
Mark Goldrich
John Meleski
Mike Sutton
Susan Kruel-Froseth
Staff Present: Felix Lee
Mike Gebo
Ann Chantler
Guests: Gail McLaughlin
Dick Jefferies
The Board reviewed a draft ordinance revision prepared by staff
that clarifies the Board's role in hearing variance requests for
licenses; and a provision that adds a new residential alteration
license category.
Board member Meleski questioned the proposed language that would
allow consideration of education in determining "additional"
qualifications.
Chairman Sutton noted that graduate engineers and EIT (engineers
in training) have experience in addition to education.
Chairman Sutton suggested education should have some weight, but
experience should have more weight, and maybe some kind of
calculation which factors both education and experience could be
used.
Dick Jefferies suggested more emphasis on education for Class A
and B licenses, and less emphasis on education for Class C & D
licenses. He believes certificate holders can be sitting behind the
desk, and not be on the job site, and that things are being done on
job sites that should not be done. He is in favor of the toughest
license possible, because he believes that benefits the industry.
Jefferies said that some people are qualified, but afraid of a
test, even though they know the code book. Further, Jefferies
stated laws need to be enforced.
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Board member Sutton agreed with Jefferies. Sutton said he has
taught and watched students come out of class and believes
experience is more important than education, although education is
important. He believes education can be a weighing factor.
Board member Cornell asked the group whether education is a
foundational matter.
Board member Sutton responded saying that it isn't, but it is
important, if someone is wavering, maybe education can make the
difference. He went on to say that in the past anyone who came
before Board got a license. He believes that the Board has gotten
tougher since then.
Board member Meleski offered that in the past, people had to work
up through the ranks.
Board member Goldrich said the new draft gives the Board new
language to use because every person does not fit in a box, and
this gives the Board the opportunity to look at the individual. He
noted that an architect could not get a license under the present
code, but the new language could permit authorizing a license.
Board member Sutton mentioned he employed an individual with lots
of experience with inspections. Although this person was not
actually a superintendent on the job site, they had the experience
and knowledge.
Board member Meleski asked about the issue of hardship.
McLaughlin stated that as the document now stands, she would have
had to build three homes. However, she said she is not interested
in building homes.
Board member Meleski responded that she could hire someone to be
the certificate holder.
McLaughlin said she wants to be in charge of her own business.
Board member Sutton said that from what he heard, she was qualified
to do the job she wants, but that the City does not have a license
category for her type of work and that a new category is needed.
Dick Jefferies suggested including education in the qualification
process, but changing "or" to "and" in the proposed revision to
"Section 15-15301.
Board member Kruel-Froseth said she sees students ready to launch
a career but need experience.
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Felix Lee said he added the language because the Board was
struggling with the hardship issue.
Board member Sutton said the Board can grant a license/certificate
to an applicant who requests an appeal.
Felix Lee cited the code noting there is a need to find a hardship
and practical difficulties.
Board member Sutton suggested taking "hardship" wording out.
Felix Lee stated that for any changes to this ordinance, it must go
to Council. If the Board decided to change the ordinance Felix
would present it to Council. He suggested the Board may need to
hold some public meetings first.
Felix suggested adding a Class D-2 license. The proposed criteria
would be: a construction value of not less than $10,000.00, three
projects, and each project must be structural alteration of or an
addition to, a single-family home.
Board member Goldrich was in favor of the new license, he had
concerns that $10,000 value may become a problem and become
outdated.
Board member Sutton stated there is no way to cover all loop holes,
this new draft ordinance covers a large portion of them. He said
the remodeling industry will be growing and this gives the
remodeling contractor an avenue for getting a license.
Election of officers:
Chair - Mike Sutton
Vice Chair - Harry Cornell