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HomeMy WebLinkAbout04012010 BSC Minutes OL=) 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 April 1, 2010 MEMBERS PRESENT: Bryant Slimp, David Flame (arrived at 6:29 pm, Agenda Item #4) Laurinda Lankford, Frank Griffin, Thomas Kearns, Gerami Granello and John Tsertos (arrived at 6:10 pm, Agenda Item #3) MEMBERS ABSENT: Karen Johnson and Ed Heathcott STAFF PRESENT: Building Official John R. Brown, Permit Technician Josie M. Orosco and City Attorney Alan Petrov GUEST PRESENT: Karl Breckon, Dan Jaggers, Robert Riquelmy, David Eastwood and Ron Kelm [Call to Order] Bryant Slimp called the meeting to order at 6:02 p.m. 1. Notices, Rules, Etc. Bryant Slimp welcomed BSC members, visitors and staff members to the meeting. There were introductions of BSC members, visitors and staff. Bryant Slimp stated Gerami Granello and Thomas Kearns would be the alternate voting members for the meeting. 2. Meeting Minutes. Frank Griffin made a motion to approve the March 4, 2010 meeting minutes as amended. Thomas Kearns seconded the motion. AYES: Bryant Slimp, Laurinda Lankford Frank Griffin, Gerami Granello and Thomas Kearns. NOES: None. ABSTAIN: None. Motion passed. 3. BSC variance form change to include a "signed under Oath" notary signature and stamp section. Bryant Slimp stated Laurinda Lankford brought it to the board's attention that it states in the ordinance that the BSC variance application needs to be signed under oath. There was general discussion regarding taking out the last two digits of the year in the date on the application so it will be more flexible. Gerami Granello asked if there should be an actual oath section on the application as well. City Attorney Alan Petrov stated the ordinance does not state the application has to be sworn to as being true and correct; the notary signature is acceptable. Laurinda Lankford made a motion to approve the application with the date correction. Thomas Kearns seconded the motion. AYES: Bryant Slimp, Laurinda Lankford Frank Griffin, Gerami Granello and Thomas Kearns. NOES: None. ABSTAIN: None. Motion passed. 4. Docket 2010-02, request of an advisory opinion of the Geotechnical Report for foundations, Note 2 and 3. Bryant Slimp stated the current foundation ordinance was generated in 2005. John Brown stated he has received about three calls from builders within the last six months asking if it was going to be required for a section test be performed on any and all geotechnical reports. John Brown gave an overview of the Code of Ordinance, Appendix C, Section C-104(3). Mr. Brown explained how the current and past Chief Building Official's interpreted the ordinance, specifically, Notes 2 and 3 allowing for a "Limited" soils report when foundations are designed 3800 University Boulevard 9 West University Place, Texas 77005-2899 0 713066804441 0 www.westu.org Building and Standards Commission Meeting Minutes April 1, 2010 to meet the "Limited" structural type foundations. John Brown stated neither Debbie Scarcella, or Sean Landis (the previous Chief Building Official) required the suction test when the limited foundations were used based on Notes 2 & 3 that are incorporated in the Technical Codes. David Eastwood, P.E. of GeoTech Engineering and Testing, gave his professional opinion during the conception discussions for the current ordinance. Mr. Eastwood stated in his opinion that soils suction tests are required because it is one of the only tests that can determine the depth of active suction and the depth of constant suction. Mr. Eastwood stated the cost of the tests is not expensive when compared to the cost of the price of the house. Mr. Eastwood stated GeoTech Engineering is currently the only company who does perform suction tests in the city. There was general discussion regarding if the suction test is absolutely necessary, then why is it not mentioned in the special engineering notification section. Mr. Eastwood spoke as to the inteni of the adopted "Recommended Practice for Geotechnical Explorations and Reports", document number FPA-SC-04-0, Rev. #0 and Section 1.3 Laboratory Testing (f) which calls for a suction test to be performed on required borings to determine the stable suction depth for deep foundations (drilled piers). Ron Kelm, Forensic Engineer, stated he also recommends for suction tests to be required. Currently the ordinance states "suction test are recommended". Bryant Slimp asked why it does not state "required". Ron Kelm stated originally when the committee was trying to decide on what verbiage to use, the committee was threatened with a lawsuit by some people in New Jersey. To avoid that from happening, the committee decided to use the work "recommended" instead of "required". Mr. Kelm also stated the suction tests are performed to determine the minimum necessary depth for the foundation piers. John Tsertos asked what the additional cost for a suction test to be done. Mr. Eastwood stated the price of the additional test is about $1,500; which also includes the date for the engineering. Bryant Slimp asked if the agenda item could be tabled so he could review the intent behind the "Limited" requirement since h is the only current commission member that was on the BSC when those provisions were adopted. After general discussion, Frank Griffin made a motion to table the item until a workshop meeting could be held so all current commission members could review the adopted documents and discuss how the foundation ordinance should be interpreted by staff. David Flame seconded the motion. AYES: Bryant Slimp, Laurinda Lankford Frank Griffin, Gerami Granello and Thomas Kearns. NOES: None. ABSTAIN: None. Motion passed. 5. Docket 2010-03, request an approval of the increased errors and omissions insurance and ueneral ordinance clean up regarding current code section number reference and deleting verbiage requiring different enforcement after 2006. John Brown presented the changes approved by the commission at the January 2010 meeting that increased the Errors and Omissions insurance amount as it will appear in the ordinance. There was also discussion regarding other minor typographical errors and a date requirement that needed to be corrected or removed. After some discussion of Laurinda Lankford's observation, Bryant Slimp asked if she would be willing to work with John Brown to improve or standardize the format of the ordinance. Laurinda Lankford made a motion to approve the changes as amended to present the ordinance to City Council for their approval. Frank Griffin seconded the motion. AYES: Bryant Slimp, Laurinda Lankford Frank Griffin, Gerami Granello and Thomas Kearns. NOES: None. ABSTAIN: None. Motion passed. [Adjournment] Page 2 of 3 Building and Standards Commission Meeting Minutes April] 1, 2010 [Adjournment] David Flame made a motion to adjourn. Laurinda Lankford seconded the motion. AYES: Bryant Slimp, David Flame, Laurinda Lankford, Frank Griffin and Gerami Granello. NOES: None. ABSTAIN: None. Meeting adjourned at 7:09 p.m. PASSED THI~QDAY OFWV~\ f , 2010 Bryant Slimp Chairman ATTEST: )~;Q- Ms. Josie M. Orosco, Permit Technician Page 3 of 3