HomeMy WebLinkAbout04202010 BSC Minutes
Oc=) City of West University Place
A Neighborhood City
® Recycled Paper
Building & Standards Commission
Located in the Council Chambers,
3800 University Blvd,
West University Place, Texas 77005
Workshop Meeting Minutes
April 20, 2010
MEMBERS PRESENT: Bryant Slimp, Karen Johnson, Laurinda Lankford and Thomas
Kearns
MEMBERS ABSENT: David Flame, Frank Griffin, Ed Heathcott, Gerami Granello and
John Tsertos
STAFF PRESENT: Building Official John R. Brown, Permit Technician Josie M.
Orosco and City Attorney Alan Petrov (arrived at 4: 56 pm)
[Call to Order] Bryant Slimp called the meeting to order at 4:41 p.m.
1. Notices, Rules, Etc. Bryant Slimp welcomed BSC members and staff members to the meeting.
There were introductions of BSC members and staff.
2. Docket 2010-02, request of an advisory opinion of the Geotechnical Report for foundations,
Note 2 and 3. John Brown stated he compiled a list of geotechnical firms that probably produce
about 85% of soils reports that are supplied to the City for foundations regarding what their views
were about requiring suction test. Mr. Brown was able to speak to three of the six firms that he
had on the list. All three of the engineers that he spoke with basically told him the same thing; if
a "Limited" foundation is designed and the piers are set below nine feet in depth, at that point, the
suction stabilizes and the necessity for running a suction test is an added expense that is not
required and should not be done. The only foundations that are being done in the City of West
University Place are structural foundations. There have been one or two that have been pier and
beam since John Brown has been with the city. There was general discussion regarding Notes 2
and 3 of the Technical Codes Section and what the intent of the section was. Bryant Slimp stated
the intent was to get people to build the safest foundations. Bryant Slimp stated the previous City
Attorney, James Dougherty and the previous BSC wanted to hold someone responsible if the
foundations failed. The burden was put on the Professional Engineer on the job. Karen Johnson
asked who is stating suction tests are not necessary. John Brown stated suction test are not
currently being required. Mr. Brown is the third Building Official since the ordinance was
adopted. None of the previous Building Officials, since the ordinance has been adopted, have
required the suction test when the limited foundations were used. There was a brief background
of the discussion regarding the suction test for Karen Johnson since she was unable to attend the
previous BSC meeting. John Brown stated the engineers that he did speak to, suggested the
suction test to be performed if the drilled piers were less than nine feet because the moisture level
frequently changes. The engineers stated the suction test would run if they thought it was
necessary since they are the responsible party. Laurinda Lankford made a motion that, based
upon the original intent behind the Chart and related notes in Appendix C, Section C-104,
Subsection 3, the BSC agrees with the Chief Building Official's interpretation of Notes 2 and 3,
3800 University Boulevard 9 West University Place, Texas 77005-2899 0 713066804441 0 www.westu.org
Building and Standards Commission Workshop Meeting Minutes
April 20, 2010
to not require a suction test for types of foundations where only a "Limited" Geotechnical Report
is designated. Thomas Kearns seconded the motion. AYES: Bryant Slimp, Karen Johnson,
Laurinda Lankford Thomas Kearns. NOES: None. ABSTAIN: None. Motion passed.
3. Docket 2010-03, request an approval of the increased errors and omissions insurance and
¢eneral ordinance clean up regarding current code section number reference and deleting
verbiage requiring different enforcement after 2006. Laurinda Lankford stated she also
searched Section C-104 on the municipal code website to make sure no reference numbers
needed to be changed in any other part of the Ordinances and she did not find any. There was a
brief discussion regarding the changes that were made and city Attorney Alan Petrov was asked
if he agreed with the changes and he stated he thought it made the code a better read and
approved them. Laurinda Lankford made a motion to accept the ordinance revisions to Appendix
C, Section C-104 and to present this ordinance to City Council for their approval. Thomas Kearns
seconded the motion. AYES: Bryant Slimp, Karen Johnson, Laurinda Lankford and Thomas
Kearns. NOES: None. ABSTAIN: None. Motion passed.
[Adjournment]
Karen Johnson made a motion to adjourn. Thomas Kearns seconded the motion. AYES: Bryant
Slimp, Karen Johnson, Laurinda Lankford and Thomas Kearns. NOES: None. ABSTAIN:
None. Meeting adjourned at 5:40 p.m.
PASSED T4~ DAY OF 2010
N r 6
Bryant Slimp, Chairman
ATTEST: T~\ -Q-
Ms. Josie M. Orosco, Permit Technician
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