HomeMy WebLinkAbout08042005 BSC Minutes
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Comm) City of West University Place
A Neighborhood City
® Recycled Paper
Building & Standards Commission
3826 Amherst, In the Public Works Building,
Located in the Public Works Conference Room,
West University Place, Texas 77005
Meeting Minutes
August 4, 2005
MEMBERS PRESENT: Bryant Slimp, Brian Hoogendam, J. Denis Powers,
Muddy McDaniel, Kevin McMahon
MEMBERS ABSENT: David Flame, Dr. Peter Benjamin
STAFF PRESENT: Josie Orosco, James Dougherty, City Attorney
GUESTS PRESENT: Mike Vanderwater, (Claunch & Miller), Don
Grieve, P. E.
[Call to Order] Bryant Slimp called the meeting to order at 6:08 p.m.
1. Notices, Rules, Etc. Bryant Slimp stated that Muddy McDaniel and Kevin
McMahon are the voting alternates for the meeting. Bryant Slimp stated that
Debbie Scarcella, the new Chief Building Official would start August 15,
2005 and that she would be attending the September Building and Standards
Commission meeting. Bryant Slimp stated that all positions with the board
would soon be coming to an end and that Kay Holloway would be sending out
letters asking if the members would like to continue their terms.
2. MeetinLy Minutes. J. Denis Powers made a motion to approve the meeting
minutes as amended from the June 2, 2005 Building and Standards
Commission meeting. Muddy McDaniel seconded the motion. AYES: Bryant
Slimp, Brian Hoogendam, J. Denis Powers, Muddy McDaniel and Kevin
McMahon. NOES: None. Motion passed. Meeting minutes approved.
3. Structural. James Dougherty briefly discussed the changes to the draft
amendment of the Standards Code Schedule that were made from the July
Workshop meeting. One of the major changes was that the plans must indicate
the type, size and spacing of various fasteners. The intent of that is that the
RLPE has to sign off on the plans. It is the Engineers decision, not the City's,
to do the design work. Other changes include that utility grade lumber longer
than 24 inches may not be used in the structure of a house and there must be a
vertical support element not farther than four inches from each truss or joint.
After further discussion and input from BSC guest Donald Greive, P. E.,
Bryant Slimp stated that the board needed to re-look at this wording.
4. Base Flood Elevations. Bryant Slimp summarized a letter from Mike
Vanderwater of Claunch & Miller that recommended in a letter (that was
3800 University Boulevard • West University Place, Texas 77005-2899 0 713066804441 0 www.westu.org
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Building and Standards commission Meeting Minutes
August 4, 2005
Page 2 of 2
included in the packets) that the base flood elevation be 1 foot above the base
flood elevation in the 100-year flood area. There was a brief discussion
regarding the Community Rating System Credit for Higher Regulatory
Standards. The activity provides credits for regulations that require new
development to be protected to one or more standards stricter than the
National Flood Insurance Program's minimum requirements. Mike
Vanderwater gave the clarified definition of free board. Mike Vanderwater
gave out a handout to the Board members regarding the Community Rating
System program that he printed out from the Internet, along with some other
files. The handout summarized the kind of categories for a City that wishes to
be in the Community Rating System program; along with the categories of
activities it will have to do to carry out to increase its Community Rating
System rating. The board reviewed the list of points to decide which ones they
would like to implement in order to give the City a better rating. James
Dougherty stated that the board could make recommendations about what
things that could be done internally. Bryant Slimp stated that it would be best
if someone from City staff would recommend what items would be best to
implement and then have the BSC board act on it. Mike Vanderwater stated
that the City does not have to participate in the Community Rating System
Program; it is strictly an incentive program. James Dougherty stated that if the
City adopted an array of these items; the base ordinance has a variance clause
within it. It is allowable to adopt regulations with the possibility of getting
variances from time to time. James Dougherty stated that the City would have
to have an ordinance to be in the Base Insurance Program. Bryant Slimp asked
the board to table the item and wait to have the new Building Official, Debbie
Scarcella, discuss her experiences. Ms. Scarcella has extensive FEMA flood
experience from her former position. Muddy McDaniel made a motion to
table the item until it could be discussed with the new Building Official. Brian
Hoogendam seconded the motion. AYES: Bryant Slimp, Brian Hoogendam, J
Denis Powers, Muddy McDaniel and Kevin McMahon. NOES: None.
ABSTAIN: None. Motion passed.
[Adjournment] Muddy McDaniel made a motion to adjourn. J. Denis Powers
seconded the motion. AYES: Bryant Slimp, Brian Hoogendam, J. Denis Powers,
Muddy McDaniel and Kevin McMahon. NOES: None. ABSTAIN: None.
Meeting adjourned at 7:30 p.m.
PASSED THIS DAY OF 2005
Bryant Slinip, Chairman
ATTEST:
Ms. Josie M. Orosco, Development Services Secretary