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BUILDING REVIEW BOARD
2005 ANNUAL REPORT
BACKGROUND:
The Building Review Board consists of seven members. Meetings are held on the last Thursday of each month in the
Council Chambers at City Hall. The Board may also meet as needed in order to convene special meetings.
Members who served during 2005�included David Carr, Charles Fielder, Leslie Jones, Gene Little, John McCoy, Jim
Packard and Mike Smilie. Charles Fielder served as Chairperson and Gene Little served as Vice -Chairperson throughout
the year. Council liaisons to the Board were Council Member Karen Weitkunat and Council Member Kelly Ohlson. Staff
support was provided by Felix Lee, Paul Eckman, Delynn Coldiron, Marcha Hill, Ann Marie Gage and Angelina Sanchez -
Sprague.
2005 YEAR IN REVIEW:
As the appellate body for building codes and contractor regulations, the Board held numerous hearings:
APPEALS:
• License Approvals: The Board heard five cases from contractors asking for approval of licenses that had
been denied by staff due to incomplete and/or insufficient project experience, due to the specialized nature of
the work done by such companies which did not fit well into any of the available Fort Collins contractor license
classes, or due to the fact that violations had occurred to the City's licensing regulations.
Ron Grace, d/b/a Grace Custom Homes -- Appellant requested approval of a Class D1 license that had
been denied by staff due to the fact that the appellant was found performing construction work without the
required contractor license. There was some confusion on his part as to whether a license was required
based on volunteer/trade arrangements he had made with his neighbor. City staff determined that a
license was necessary in this case. The Board approved the appellant's request for a Class D1 license
and instructed that a copy of the minutes documenting the issues and violations be placed in his file.
Perry Todd, d/b/a Todd Construction — Appellant was requesting approval of a Class C1 license that had
been denied by staff due to the fact that two of the projects submitted did not have completion
documentation. Appellant stated that it was proving impossible for him to get this documentation from the
municipality he was dealing with in Montana. The Board denied appellant's request due to the fact that
he had many other projects to draw permit information on based on the supporting information he had
submitted with his license application. The Board instructed the appellant to come back before the Board
if he continued to struggle with obtaining completion documentation on two additional projects.
Keira Harkin, d/b/a Distinctive Neighborhood Homes —Appellant was requesting approval of a Class D1
license that had been denied by staff due to the fact that the projects submitted met the requirements of
the Citys D2 license but did not fully meet the requirements of the applied for D1 license. The appellant
passed the City's D1 exam. The appellant needed approval of a D1 license to enable her to pursue a
development she was involved in that included the construction of 44 single family homes. As well, the
appellant was seeking a one-time exemption to allow her to perform a commercial tenant finish project.
Her partner, who held a Class B license for Distinctive Neighborhood Homes, left the company and a
good client was asking her to do a second tenant finish for their salon. The Board approved both
requests based on appellant's description of her construction experience and due to the difficult situation
she was in with her partner leaving the company.
281 North College Avenue — P.O. Box 580 — Fort Collins, CO 80522-0580 — (970) 221-6760 — FAX (970) 224-6134
BRB Annual Report
January 26, 2006
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• Krist Mathisen, d/b/a MCS Manufactured Homes — Appellant was seeking approval of a limited HVAC
license that would enable him to continue to install a/c units on mobile homes. He was also seeking a
waiver of the HVAC exam due to the specialized nature of this installation. The Board granted approval
of a limited HVAC license that would enable the appellant to install self-contained a/c units in
manufactured housing applications only, as well as a waiver of the exam.
• Daniel Chase, d/b/a Commercial Sheet Metal, Inc. — Appellant was seeking approval of a specialized
roofing license that would enable him to perform architectural sheet metal work on roofs. He was also
seeking an exam waiver. The Board granted approval of a specialized roofing license and the exam
waiver. The Board limited the license to architectural sheet metal work only and authorized its use for
both interior and exterior applications.
• Exam and Experience Waivers: The Board heard seven cases from contractors asking for waivers from the
City's exam or experience requirements.
• Steve Johnson, d/b/a Pacific Contractors Group, License #F-55 — Appellant was requesting an exam
waiver and/or acceptance of his testing score of 71 % as a passing score (75% is the current threshold)
due to medical conditions resulting from an accident. The Board denied appellant's request but waived
the required six month waiting period prescribed by ordinance after an appellant fails the test twice
enabling him to test for a third time.
• Troy Jennings, d/b/a Affordable Roofing — Appellant was requesting approval of a roofing license that had
been denied by staff due to the fact that he did not meet the criteria of having 3 years' supervisory
experience which could be documented. The Board approved appellant's request based on his many
years of experience as a roof adjustor/inspector and the one year he had supervised and/or performed
roofing jobs.
• Frank Henthorn, d/b/a Frank's Sheet Metal, License #H-887 — Appellant was requesting an exam waiver
that would enable him to reinstate his license based on a medical condition that resulted in his missing his
license expiration renewal deadline. The Board granted appellant's request.
• Jon Estabrook, d/b/a Aspen Homes of Colorado, Inc. — Appellant was requesting an exam waiver based
on his experience and current knowledge of the codes due to his employment as a City building
inspector. The Board granted appellant's request.
• Sam Rodina, d/b/a Village Homes — Appellant was seeking approval of a limited C2 supervisor certificate
due to the fact that he could not meet the criteria of having one multi -family project that was 3 or more
stories and/or contained 16 or more units. He needed the supervisor certificate to enable him to fully
supervise the remaining multi -family buildings his company was completing for an ongoing project. The
Board granted the appellant an unlimited C2 supervisor certificate with the stipulation that it could not be
transferred to another company until such time that he meets the criteria for a multi -family project that is 3
or more stories and/or contains 16 or more units.
• John Mason, d/b/a Brentwood Renovation — Appellant was seeking approval of a limited Class E license
that would enable him to perform tenant finish projects up to $20,000 in value since he could not meet the
criteria of having one project that was $50,000 or more in value. The Board approved a limited Class E
license allowing the appellant to perform construction projects up to $30,000 in value.
• Mario Medina, d/b/a Precision Roofing — Appellant was seeking approval of a roofing license that had
been denied by staff due to the fact that he did not meet the criteria of having 3 years' supervisory
experience which could be documented. The Board approved appellant's request with the stipulation that
he provide two referral letters from the larger general contractors he had done work for over the past two
years.
281 North College Avenue 9 P.O. Box 580 • Fort Collins, CO 80522-0580.970-221-6760 • FAX 970-224-6134
BRB Annual Report
January 26, 2006
Page 3
• Exceptions/Uoarades: The Board heard eight cases from contractors and/or building owners asking for
exceptions that would allow them to build outside of the constraints of their current license.
• Russell Larson, d/b/a R & R Carpentry, License #D-303 — Appellant was seeking a one-time exemption to
his Class D1 license to enable him to perform a commercial tenant finish project for Spring Creek Medical
Park. The Board approved appellant's request with the stipulation that the appellant pass the Class E
licensing exam.
• Brad Fritz, d/b/a Fritz Construction, Inc., License #MM-639 — Appellant applied for a Miscellaneous &
Minor Structures license and was seeking an ongoing square footage exemption that would enable him to
build decks of up to 800 square feet. The Board approved an ongoing exemption enabling the appellant
to build uncovered decks of up to 1,000 square feet. Covered and other authorized structures under this
license remained at the 200 square foot limitation.
• Doug Bothwell, d/b/a Custom Wood Interiors, License #MM-638 -- Appellant applied for a Miscellaneous
& Minor Structures license and was seeking an ongoing square footage exemption that would enable him
to build decks of up to 800 square feet. The Board approved an ongoing exemption enabling the
appellant to build uncovered decks of up to 1,000 square feet. Covered and other authorized structures
under this license remained at the 200 square foot limitation.
• Chuck Pope, d/b/a Pope Construction, License #E-213 — Appellant was seeking a one-time exemption to
his Class E license that would enable him to build a residential garage. The Board approved this request.
• Tom Dugan, d/b/a Pinecrest Development Company, LLC, License #D-361 — Appellant was seeking a
one-time exemption to his Class D1 license that would enable him to build a 3-plex. The Board approved
this request.
• R. Kint Glover, d/b/a Glover, Inc., License #C2-60 — Appellant was seeking approval to re -roof a house
that he owned, but was not his primary residence, as a building owner instead of a contractor so he would
not have to go through the expense of getting liability insurance for one job. The Board approved
appellant's request.
• Alan Strope, d/b/a Savant Homes, Inc., License #C2-77 — Appellant was seeking a one-time project
exemption to his Class C2 license that would enable him to construct a multi -use building in downtown Ft.
Collins. Appellant owned the existing building on the site and intended to add onto and remodel it. The
Board approved appellant's request with the stipulation that he pass the City's Class B exam.
• G. Parks Marsh, d/b/a Aardvark! Carpentry, License #D-494 — Appellant was seeking a one-time
exemption to his Class D1 license that would enable him to perform a tenant finish project for Anytime
Fitness. The Board approved this request.
2. LICENSE HEARINGS:
The Board heard five cases against contractors who had violated the City's licensing regulations.
• Carl Glaser, d/b/a Advocate, Inc., License #Ct-88 —The Board found that the respondent had violated items
1, 2 and 9 of Section 15-162 of the Contractor Licensing Regulations. Because the contractor had multiple
licensing violations, the Board imposed a 90-day license suspension.
• Sheryl McKinly, d/b/a W.R.S., Inc., License #F-210 — The Board found that the respondent had violated items
2 and 8 of Section 15-162 of the Contractor Licensing Regulations. This was a first offense for this contractor.
The Board approved the respondent's license and instructed that a copy of the minutes be placed in the
respondent's file documenting the issues and violations that had occurred.
281 North College Avenue • P.O. Box 580 • Fort Collins, CO 80522-0580 • 970-221-6760 • FAX 970-224-6134
BRB Annual Report
January 26, 2006
Page 4
• David Jestes, d/b/a Jestes Construction, License #C1-67 — The Board found that the respondent had violated
items 1, 2 and 6 of Section 15-162 of the Contractor Licensing Regulations. This was a first offense for this
contractor. The Board instructed that a letter of reprimand be issued.
• William Mahoney, d/b/a KCM Building Group, License #F-142 — The Board found that the respondent had
violated items 2 and 8 of Section 15-162 of the Contractor Licensing Regulations. This was a first offense for
this contractor. The Board instructed that a copy of the minutes be placed in the respondent's file
documenting the issues and violations that had occurred.
Chad Nikkei, d/b/a Omega Roofing, License #R-1864 — The Board found that the respondent had violated
items (a), (d) 1, 2 and 6 of Section 15-162 of the Contractor Licensing Regulations. This was a first offense
for this contractor. The Board instructed that a letter of reprimand be issued outlining the violations that had
occurred, as well as the City's supervision and pertinent licensing requirements. The Board stipulated that
the license could not be reinstated until the respondent signed the letter of reprimand indicating his
knowledge of the violations committed, the City's licensing requirements and certifying that he would provide
full-time site supervision on his projects when exempt workers were being utilized.
3. BUILDING CODE HEARINGS:
• Paul Corey, 304 Alpert Avenue — The appellant was seeking reinstatement of and a 180-day extension to his
expired building permit to enable him to complete his construction project. The appellant had obtained
multiple permits since 1992 for the same project which remained incomplete. The Board granted this request.
• Thomas Ridgely, 422 Peterson Street -- The appellant was seeking reinstatement of and a 180-day extension
to his expired building permit to enable him to complete his construction project. The appellant had obtained
multiple permits since 1995 for the same project which remained incomplete. The Board granted this request.
4. ADMINISTRATIVE ITEMS:
None for2005.
It is anticipated that in 2006, the Board and staff will begin review of the 2006 International Building Code, as well
as the Contractor Licensing ordinance. The will result in member participation on related task force committees.
281 North College Avenue • P.O. Box 580 • Fort Collins, CO 80522-0.580 • 970-221-6760 • FAX 970-224-6134