HomeMy WebLinkAbout11/30/2017 - Building Review Board - Agenda - Regular MeetingBuilding Review Board Page 1 November 30, 2017
Alan Cram, Chair City Council Chambers
Michael Doddridge, Vice Chair City Hall West
Andrea Dunlap 300 Laporte Avenue
Tim Johnson
Bernie Marzonie
Justin Montgomery
Fort Collins, Colorado
Rick Reider
The City of Fort Collins will make reasonable accommodations for access to City services, programs, and activities
and will make special communication arrangements for persons with disabilities. Please call 221-6515 (TDD 224-
6001) for assistance.
Regular Hearing Agenda
November 30, 2018
1:00 PM
• CALL TO ORDER
• ROLL CALL
• PUBLIC COMMENT ON ITEMS NOT ON THE AGENDA
• DISCUSSION AGENDA
1. Approval of Draft BRB Hearing Minutes for April 27, 2017
2. Presentation on “Engage” Software – Christine Macrina
3. Adoption of the BRB 2018 Work Plan – Russ Hovland
4. Consideration of a Proposal to Modify the Building Code Adoption Cycle – Russ Hovland
• OTHER BUSINESS
• ADJOURNMENT
Building Review Board
Roll Call & Voting Record
Building Review Board Hearing
Date: 11-30-17
Roll Call Doddridge Dunlap Johnson Marzonie Montgomery Reider Cram Vote
Excused
April 2017 Minutes Dunlap Johnson Marzonie Montgomery Reider Doddridge Cram
Yes Yes Yes Yes N/A Yes Yes 6:0
2018 Work Plan Johnson Marzonie Montgomery Reider Doddridge Dunlap Cram
Yes Yes Yes N/A Yes Yes Yes 6:0
Code Adoption
Cycle Modification Marzonie Montgomery Reider Doddridge Dunlap Johnson Cram
Yes Yes N/A Yes Yes No Yes 5:1
Agenda Item 1
Item # 1 Page 1
AGENDA ITEM SUMMARY November 30, 2017
Building Review Board
STAFF
Gretchen Schiager, Administrative Assistant
SUBJECT
CONSIDERATION AND APPROVAL OF THE MINUTES OF THE APRIL 27, 2017 MEETING
EXECUTIVE SUMMARY
The purpose of this item is to approve the minutes from the April 27, 2017 meeting of the Building Review
Board.
ATTACHMENTS
1. BRB April 27, 2017 Minutes - DRAFT
Building Review Board Page 1 April 27, 2017
Alan Cram, Chair City Council Chambers
Michael Doddridge, Vice Chair City Hall West
Andrea Dunlap 300 Laporte Avenue
Tim Johnson
Bernie Marzonie
Justin Montgomery
Fort Collins, Colorado
Rick Reider
The City of Fort Collins will make reasonable accommodations for access to City services, programs, and activities
and will make special communication arrangements for persons with disabilities. Please call 221-6515 (TDD 224-
6001) for assistance.
Regular Hearing Minutes
April 27, 2017
A regular meeting of the Building Review Board was held on Thursday, April 27, 2017, at
1:00 p.m. in the Council Chambers of the Fort Collins Municipal Building at 300 Laporte Avenue,
Fort Collins, Colorado.
Board Members Present: Alan Cram, Chair
Mike Doddridge, Vice Chair
Andrea Dunlap
Justin Montgomery
Tim Johnson
Bernie Marzonie
Rick Reider
Absent: None
Staff Present: Mike Gebo, Chief Building Official
Cindy Cosmas, Administrative Assistant
Cram noted that a quorum was present for this hearing.
Building Review Board
Building Review Board Page 2 April 27, 2016
BOARD ITEMS FOR CONSIDERATION
1. Approval of January 26, 2017, Draft Minutes
Montgomery made a motion, seconded by Doddridge, to approve the draft minutes of the
January 26, 2017, hearing. Vote: 7:0.
2. 2016 Capital Expansion Fee Update
Tiana Smith, Revenue and Project Manager of Finance at the COFC, provided the Board with
an updated presentation of the proposed increases to the 2016 capital expansion fees,
transportation capital expansion fees, and electric capacity fees. She described the purpose of
each fee and how each is calculated. She also discussed in detail the impacts of each fee and
how they compare to similar communities. She stated that City Council requested that these
fees be “bundled” in order to better communicate in a holistic way to the community at large.
Fees are calculated based on “level of service”, rather than trying to build the fee structure to
reach a budgeted goal. The City has retained the same methodology since 1996, when impact
fees were first introduced.
Ms. Smith described some of the community outreach that occurred for the proposed park
developments, restating that a consistent level of service would be assessed for all residents
with respect to park fees.
Dean Klingner, Capital Projects Manager, provided more information related to the proposed
transportation capital expansion fees (previously street oversizing fees). He discussed several
proposed changes:
• Renamed “transportation capital expansion fee”, rather than “street oversizing fee”;
• Charging fees based on unit size (square feet) rather than unit type;
• Commercial/industrial uses are deemed to be similar and will be combined;
• “Trip generation” methodology, which will use traffic engineering studies to identify
impacts to the transportation system in order to recognize distance as well as frequency;
and
• Fundamental fee increase of approximately 20%, based on improvements necessary for
development.
Klingner also discussed several options being proposed:
• Option A – fully funding the program (proportional costs for all necessary transportation
improvements in terms of growth)
• Option B – change to vehicle miles travelled (would raise residential fees overall and
lower commercial fees)
Lance Smith, Utilities Strategic Finance Director, described what electric capacity fees are used
for (cost to build monthly generation and transmission of electricity) and stated that the existing
model is outdated. He added that the new methodology will focus on meeting the peak demand
when building a distribution system. The calculation will be simpler, noting that large
commercial customers represent less than 1% of all customers but 40% of overall electricity
demand. Therefore, residential fees are expected to decrease and commercial fees are
expected to increase.
Building Review Board Page 3 April 27, 2016
Ms. Smith recapped the proposal to bundle all of the fees, highlighting the fee percent changes.
She also showed a graph of various land-use types and communities with respect to
neighboring communities (Fort Collins’ fees appear to be average). Based on new median
home sales price in 2016 ($437,000), she illustrated how fees have changed over time. Her
recommendation is to phase in these fees over 3 years, using a calculated average to account
for annual revenue loss due to the phasing. She asked the Board for any feedback that she
could include in her presentation at the May 16th City Council hearing and adoption.
Board Questions and Deliberation
Montgomery asked for more information explaining the methodology of having parks based on
level of service rather than plan-based budget. Ms. Smith responded that, while there is a
master plan for the parks, the intent is not having the current residents pay for future needs.
She added that every 10 years a new community park has been built (only 2 remaining to build).
Additionally, these fees will become self-regulating as development decreases and there is less
impact to growth. Regarding the electric fees and demand charges, Montgomery also asked if
there would be any impact on demand to adopt the most energy-efficient codes; Mr. Smith
confirmed that there would be an impact in that total consumption will be lower (approx. a 12%
drop per person). She added that the demand and type of energy will also change.
Johnson asked what role CSU has regarding these fees, since they are a major consumer.
Klingner responded that CSU does not pay the fee, but alternatives are utilized in order to
ensure CSU meets the intent of the fee. Doddridge asked whether multi-family calculations are
included in the park fees calculation; Noelle Currell, Sr. Fin Analyst, responded that it is based
on equivalent dwelling units.
Regarding Option A for transportation capital expansion fees, Cram asked why commercial and
office fees will decrease; Klingner responded that this is a consequence of using vehicle miles
per trip as a basis, even though the intent is to use industry best practices. He reminded the
group that this option is not trying to incentivize a certain type of development. Cram
speculated that driving up these fees could hurt potential low-income housing developments,
comparing the proposed fees to levels being charged by Boulder. He added that such large fee
impacts to residential may be too major, stating that these fees are really taxes. Doddridge
asked if any potential impact analysis has been done on new residential construction. Ms.
Smith responded that, because this is based on future development, no such analysis has been
done. She reiterated that these calculations are based on usage of current assets, not an
attempt to increase revenue.
Regarding the total fee increases as compared to other communities, Gebo asked if there was a
particular need for Fort Collins to change their current fee structure. Ms. Smith responded that
this chart was just for comparison purposed, and the reason for the fee increases is because
asset values have also increased. She added that Fort Collins tries to be competitive. Dunlap
asked if other communities have more open space to develop compared to Fort Collins; Smith
confirmed that this is the case and that supply and demand is calculated into housing prices.
Doddridge thanked them for doing a second presentation, and he highlighted pros and cons of
the fees proposed. Based on various Board comments, Cram concluded that the Board does
not care to make a position statement at this time. Ms. Smith added that Phase 2 will include
development review fees in the fall of 2017. She stated that any individual or group feedback
would be appreciated. Cram suggested that having materials in advance of any future
presentations would be helpful.
3. I-Code Updates
Building Review Board Page 4 April 27, 2016
Gebo discussed the 2015 I-Code updates, saying the amendment package is now at the City
Attorney’s office for review. The 1st reading by City Council is on June 6th, then the 2nd reading
two weeks later, then adoption. He doesn’t anticipate any issues with adoption. Gebo reviewed
some of the more controversial issues (mainly the vinyl siding burn situations). There was some
discussion of this particular topic, including safety issues and legal involvement.
4. CBO Update
Gebo informed the Board of his intention to retire as CBO on August 1st, 2017. There was some
discussion regarding a final luncheon for him with the Board and Ross Cunniff, City Council
Liaison.
OTHER BUSINESS
None noted.
The meeting adjourned at 2:23p.m.
___ __ _____
Russell Hovland, Chief Building Official Alan Cram, Chair
Agenda Item 2
Item # 2 Page 1
AGENDA ITEM SUMMARY November 30, 2017
Building Review Board
STAFF
Christine Macrina, Boards and Commissions Coordinator
SUBJECT
PRESENTATION ON “ENGAGE” SOFTWARE
EXECUTIVE SUMMARY
Ms. Macrina will make a presentation about the “Engage” software for volunteers.
ATTACHMENTS
1. User Guide for Engage
Page | 1
Engage Volunteer Help
General
Engage is an application that allows the public to easily sign up/register to participate in activities. It also allows
volunteers to sign up to help with these activities and track volunteer hours, interests, and more.
Contact Charlotte Boney with Questions
Charlotte Boney, cboney@fcgov.com, (970) 416-4245
You will receive emails from the system- make sure engage@mail.offero.com is added to your contacts.
Visit your existing account
If you are a current volunteer, you already have an account. Go to engage.fcgov.com Click the button on the right, login
On the left side of the screen, use your email address as the username and cityfc1 as the password.
Create your account
1. Go to Engage.fcgov.com
2. Click on Sign up
3. Enter the required information
a. First/Last Name
b. Email Address
c. Primary Phone
d. Password
4. Click Create Account
Logging in to Engage
1. Go to Engage.fcgov.com
2. Click Login
3. Enter email and password
4. Click Login
Forgot your password? Click on the Forgot password link and enter the email address used to create your Engage
Account. We will send you link to reset your password.
Page | 2
Your Dashboard
Each Engage user has a dashboard, each is unique to the type of user you are.
From the dashboard you can:
1. To-Do
a. Any activities, assignments, site visits or shifts requiring feedback/reporting
2. See your Upcoming Assignments
a. Activities that you are signed up to help with
3. View New Opportunities
a. Activities that you can volunteer to help with
4. See/schedule Site Visits (dependent on volunteer role)
Current Assignments
Announcements
Opportunities
Schedule
Page | 3
a. Record volunteer hours not associated with an activity
5. Sign up for Shifts (dependent on volunteer role)
a. Volunteer assignments on a recurring basis
6. View Activities you are signed up as a participant
7. View upcoming activities
8. View messages from staff- “Announcements”
Page | 4
Editing your Profile
1. After you have logged into your account
2. Click My Profile from the primary top navigation
3. You can edit the following by clicking the edit icon next to each section
a. Personal demographic information
b. Availability
c. Volunteer biography & Preferences
i. The Biography entered will be visible by other volunteers and the public (if you lead public
programs) if you specify.
ii. *Note: Other personal information will not be visible.
d. Skills & Interests
i. *Note: The interests you select here will filter the activities and assignments that you will see in
“Opportunities” and “Upcoming Activities” on your dashboard.
e. Emergency Contact
f. Email Opt-Out Preferences
g. Copies of all waivers you have signed
h. Preferred Departments
Service History
Engage allows you to generate a report with your service history detail.
1. Go to “My Profile” from the primary top navigation
2. Click on “View Full History” in the service history section
3. Click on the year that you would like to view the information for.
Calendar
The calendar allows you to view your schedule as well as upcoming activities and opportunities. Click on an activity to
get additional details
• Filter activities using the advanced Search options
My Profile
Advanced Search Options
Page | 5
Volunteering
Signing up to help with an activity
There are two ways to sign up to help with an activity.
1. From the Dashboard
2. Click the Opportunities Tab
3. Click the Volunteer button
4. Complete the assignment process
OR
1. From the calendar
2. Click on an activity to help with
3. If the activity has available positions to help with you will see the volunteer button
4. Click the Volunteer button
5. Complete the assignment process
Removing yourself from an activity
If you are no longer able to help with an activity you may click the “remove me” button on the Dashboard. If the activity
is less than five days away you will have to contact a staff person.
Volunteer Button
Volunteer Button
Page | 6
1. From your dashboard
2. Click My Assignments Tab
3. Click the Remove me button
Signing up for a site visit
Site visits are at will assignments meaning that there is not a specific date and time that they are required to be
completed. This includes volunteers in the VRA, Bird Survey, Adopter groups.
1. From the Dashboard
2. Click on My Site Visits
3. You will see an option to schedule your site visit, click that link
4. Enter the required information
a. Place
Remove Me Button
Links to Schedule
Page | 7
b. Date/Time of visit
c. Hours(duration you expect to spend)
d. Patrol Type
5. Click Save
6. If you have already completed the visit you can click the Finish Report Now button and complete the report.
Completing a site visit report
1. From the Dashboard
2. Click on My Site Visits
3. Click the Report button next to the site visit you wish to complete the report for
4. Enter the Required information
a. Contact type (Can be informational, Bags of Trash Collected, Birds seen, etc)
b. A quantity
c. Any notes
d. Patrol Description
e. Maintenance Title
i. Only enter information in the maintenance title or description if maintenance is required.
ii. Entering information into these fields will automatically send an email to maintenance staff for
review with your name and email to contact you with questions.
5. Click Save
Removing your scheduled site visit
6. From the Dashboard
7. Click on My Site Visits
8. Click the Remove button next to the site visit you wish to remove. If the button is no longer visible you will need
to contact a staff person.
Signing up for a shift
There are two ways to sign up to help with a shift.
1. From the Dashboard
2. Click the My Shifts Tab
a. The next 4 shifts that you are signed up to help with are displayed
3. Click “Sign up to help with a shift”
Page | 8
4. Complete the assignment process
OR
5. From the Shifts tab
6. Click on a shift to help with
7. If the activity has available positions to help with you will see the volunteer button
8. Click the Volunteer button
View available shifts
Click Shifts
Page | 9
9. Select slots you are available to help with
10. Click Sign Up for Slots
Tip: If you are available to help
with all slots, click the check
mark in the top, left hand
corner of the grid
Agenda Item 3
Item # 3 Page 1
AGENDA ITEM SUMMARY November 30, 2017
Building Review Board
STAFF
Russ Hovland, Chief Building Official
SUBJECT
ADOPTION OF THE BRB 2018 WORK PLAN
EXECUTIVE SUMMARY
The purpose of this item is to adopt the BRB 2018 work plan.
The City Code requires all boards and commissions to file work plans on or before September 30 for the
following year. The City Council will review the work plan for each board and commission in October and
November, and the work plans typically take effect at the beginning of the year.
The Board should consider a motion for adoption of the 2018 work plan.
The proposed work plan is attached.
ATTACHMENTS
1. BRB 2018 Work Plan
Community Development &
Neighborhood Services
Planning
281 North College Avenue
P.O. Box 580
Fort Collins, CO 80522.0580
970.221.6376
970.224.6111- fax
2018 Annual Work Plan
Building Review Board
The Building Review Board will continue to meet on the last Thursday of each month
when there are public discussion or hearing items placed on the regular monthly agenda.
The Board may also meet as needed in order to convene special hearings.
Staff anticipates that the Building Review Board will hear several appeals by contractor
license applicants who do not strictly meet the qualification criteria specified in the City
Code. Under its quasi-judicial review authority, the Board is empowered to grant variances
from such criteria when it determines there are practical difficulties or that an undue
hardship would be imposed on the applicant; or, when the Board determines the applicant
has sufficient specialized training, education, or additional relevant experience.
The Board is also empowered to render disciplinary action, including suspension or
revocation of regulated contractor licenses, under which any specified infractions listed in
the regulations are committed.
Additionally, in its code appellate function, the Board may hear appeals from strict
application of the building codes or from an interpretation of the codes by the Building
Official. The Board will continue to hear cases involving challenges to the Building
Official’s interpretation of the adopted building codes, as well as the adopted International
Property Maintenance Code (IPMC).
In its advisory capacity, the Board is expected to participate as a member of the Code
Review Committee, in the review of the International Building Codes. The Board will be
asked to make recommendations to Council regarding any suggested revisions based on
local conditions and community standards.
The Board will continue to work on its operational procedures and other matters of interest.
_____________________________________ ___________________________
Alan Cram, Building Review Board Chair Date of Approval
Agenda Item 4
Item # 4 Page 1
AGENDA ITEM SUMMARY November 30, 2017
Building Review Board
STAFF
Russ Hovland, Chief Building Official
SUBJECT
CONSIDERATION OF A PROPOSAL TO MODIFY THE BUILDING CODE ADOPTION CYCLE
EXECUTIVE SUMMARY
USummary:
Building Services and City Council agreed to a policy of adopting the most current issued series of Building
Codes in a reasonably soon time frame after their issuance from ICC. In addition, City of Fort Collins Energy
Policy requires the most current IECC to be adopted within one year of publication. These are policies and not
municipal ordinances.
Building Services recently adopted the 2015 I-codes in July 2017. Code adoption is an intensive process,
requiring staff time, committee involvement, and public outreach. Adoption takes approximately one year to
complete.
See attached memo to IECC stakeholders.
UGoal:
Obtain BRB support to skip the adoption of the next available series of Building Code editions (2018) and wait
to adopt the 2021 series of I-Codes in 2022. This includes skipping the 2018 IECC.
ATTACHMENTS
1. IECC Stakeholders Memo
Community Development & Neighborhood Services
281 North College Avenue
P.O. Box 580
Fort Collins, CO 80522.0580
970.416.2740
970.224.6134- fax
fcgov.com
Planning, Development & Transportation Services
October 26, 2017
TO: City Stakeholders of IECC Code Adoption
FROM: Russ Hovland, Chief Building Official
Skip 2018 Building Code adoption cycle including IECC.
UHistoryU: The City of Fort Collins Energy policy requires the most current IECC to be
adopted within one year of publication. Building Services adopted the 2015 I-codes in
July 2017. Code adoption is an intensive process, requiring staff time, committee
involvement, and public outreach. Adoption takes approximately 1year to complete.
UGoalU: Seek support to skip the adoption of the next available series of Building Code
editions (2018) and wait to adopt the 2021 series of I-Codes in 2022. This includes
skipping the 2018 IECC.
UIssuesU:
1. Due to the recent code adoption, jumping into another year long code adoption
process so soon would cause strain on both staff and the construction
community. Examples:
a. Stock plan re-review
b. Contractor Education
c. Industry Practice and Compliance
2. Investment in new code books for staff cost approximately $10,000.
3. Because each series of I-codes is designed to work together, adopting a single
2018 code does not work well with the existing 2015 codes. Conflicts between
the codes will exist.
4. Staff’s review of the 2018 IECC showed that changes between the 2015 and
2018 versions are minimal.
USuggested SolutionU: Change the current energy policy to allow I-code adoption,
including the IECC, every other code cycle.
UReasonsU:
1. Longer time between adoptions will free up department resources to focus on
better overall compliance with the City’s energy goals.
2. Many Building Department jurisdictions skip every other code cycle to minimize
the impact of the adoption process.
- 2 -
3. The ISO (Insurance Rating Organization) has confirmed that a rating downgrade
does not occur until a jurisdiction is 2 full code cycles behind the most recent
publication (i.e. having the 2012 codes adopted in 2018). The City of Fort Collins’
next ISO review is in 2018 and then again in 2022, and therefore would not
receive a rating downgrade.
4. An every-other-code adoption model would align better with the BFO process,
allowing for better resourcing of the involved departments.
UQuestionsU:
1. What is the intent of the policy’s requirement that every code year be adopted?
2. How does this requirement affect the industry’s ability to reach full compliance?
3. What is the process to change the energy policy?
4. How much time will it take?
5. What stakeholders would be affected by this change?
6. How does it affect other stakeholders?
Estimated Impact of Adopting 2015 Code Updates in 2018
This analysis looks at the impact of adopting 2018 code update. This would affect buildings built in 2019, 2020, and
2021. If this update was skipped, the assumption is that it would be included in the following update.
Summary for buildings built In 2019, 2020, and 2021
• 1,080 new buildings constructed
• 1,020 single-family, the rest being multi-family, mixed and commercial
• estimated from past Fort Collins construction and insights from developer
• 5,000,000 ft2 of added building area
• 2,800,000 ft2 from single-family with the rest being from multi-family, mixed and commercial
• estimated from historic Fort Collins median building area by type (using EPA Portfolio Manager types)
• 23,000,000 kWh of electricity use per year
• 6,800,000 kWh from single-family with the rest being from multi-family, mixed and commercial
• estimated from historic Fort Collins electricity use per built area by type (using EPA Portfolio Manager types)
• An additional 580,000 kWh of electricity use per year, If next code update not adopted untll 2021
• Low/ Medium/ High scenarios estimated respectiyely at 200,000 / 580,000 / 1,000,000 kWh per year
• Scenarios set at 1% / 3% / 5% savings for commercial and 0.8% / 2% / 4% savings for residential
• Scenarios determined from preliminary evaluations (i.e. the high scenario was estimated by DOE)
• Additional electricity use from not adopting code update until 2021 equivalent to 400 tons CO2. per year
• Low/ Medium/ High scenarios estimated respectively at 150 / 400 / 700 tons C02e per year
• Relatively low carbon savings compared to other Climate Action Plan Initiatives, but competitive cost effectiveness
• Climate Action Plan initiative average $81 per tons CO2. saved
• Low/ Medium/ High scenarios estimated respectively at 116 / 41 / 23 dollars per tons C02e saved
• Low/ Medium/ High scenarios estimated respectively at 0.7 / 2.1 / 3.7 benefit cost ratio
• Assuming a one-time investment every three years of $50,000 from the building department
and additional construction cost of $400 per building for all buildings constructed during the three years
between code cycle
Item 4, Exhibit 1
Brad Smith Presentation