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Home My WebLink About01152026 BSC Minutes West University Place Public Works Department Building & Standards Commission Located in the Council Chambers, 3 800 University Blvd, West University Place, Texas 77005 Meeting Minutes January 15, 2026 MEMBERS PRESENT: Jonathon Hance, Matthew Brejot, Spyros Maragos, Eddie Matthews, Phillip Sharp, Mateo Fisher and Dennis O'Neill MEMBERS ABSENT: Bruce Beneke and Krishna Shah STAFF PRESENT: Building Official Chuck Sandifer, Administrative Coordinator Josie Hayes, and Legal Counsel Philip Boedeker [Call to Order] Jonathon Hance called the meeting to order at 6:02 p.m. 1. Notices,Rules,Etc. Jonathon Hance welcomed BSC members and staff to the meeting. All members and staff introduced themselves. Josie Hayes stated notices were posted per state and local laws. Josie Hayes stated Dennis O'Neill was the alternate voting member. 2. Public Comments. David Cole, 4104 Cason raised concerns regarding construction noise, contractor accountability and the site maintenance. 3. Swearing in of Building and Standards Commission members. Josie Hayes administered the Oath of Office and Statement of Appointed Officer to all members. 4. Board member Orientation and TOMA training.PowerPoint presentation by Legal Counsel,Philip Boedeker. He explained their rules, duties and obligations under applicable laws, statues and the Open Meetings act training. 5. Construction code Updates. Building Official Chuck Sandifer stated the city is currently working on updating its electrical standards from the 2020 to the 2023 National Electric Code(NEC)to align with Texas state standards. The 2023 NEC officially went into effect at the state level on September 1, 2023. He also stated the city is currently over two years behind the state mandated minimum. To 3826 Amherst St. www.westutx.gov West University Place, TX 77005 713-662-5830 O . of West University Place Public Works Department prevent future delays, a proposed ordinance was provided with a section that would automatically adopt the new NEC editions as they are set by the state,provided there are no local amendments. This was intended to streamline the process since the NEC is updated every three years. Some BSC members were concerned that there is a"protection" in having the BSC manually review each update to ask questions or potentially add local amendments that are stronger than the state's minimum requirements. Matthew Brejot made a motion to approve the revised ordinance but excluding the proposed exception to allow automatic updates without the BSC review. Dennis O'Neill seconded. AYES: Jonathon Hance, Matthew Brejot, Spyros Maragos, Eddie Matthews, and Dennis O'Neill. NOES: None. ABSTAIN: None. Motion approved. 6. Discussion items from City Council. • Repeat Offenders of the Code and Responsibility for work performed on a worksite or residential property: There was general discussion regarding the existing tools and discussing new procedures to address contractors who repeatedly violate city and building codes. Stop work orders are considered one of the most effective tools because shutting down a job site for even a day can result in significant financial loss for the contractor. Under the International Residential Code (IRC) and International Building Code (IBC)the Building Official has the authority to issue stop-work orders for ongoing violations. The Code Enforcement Officer can also give citations, however there is internal debate about their effectiveness as fines may be too low to deter behavior or might simply be passed on to the homeowner. Under current city code, if a contractor is responsible for three or more building violations within a 12-mnopth period, the Building and Standards Commission(BSC) has the authority to suspend them from working in the city. The BSC can also revoke a contractor's registration for up to six months. There was also discussion regarding involving the police department. While they do not typically enforce construction start times or noise ordinances, the commission discussed inviting police representatives to the next meeting to coordinate better enforcement for after-hours and weekend violations. Members also discussed the potential benefit of a public database of violations so that residents could see if a contractor has a history of poor performance. Item was tabled until the next meeting so that a representative from the police department could attend to discuss the current mentality and procedures for enforcement to determine if better enforcement of the existing rules would solve the problem without the need for more restrictive hours. • Residential Quiet Hours: There was general discussion considering several changes to the construction hours, specifically regarding banning Sundays working hours all together and modifying the holidays to provide residents with relief from ongoing construction noise. The BSC expressed varying opinions on these proposals. Some members argued that a total ban on Sunday work is"way too restrictive". It was also noted that quiet activities such as an indoor painter or a contractor working on a computer should not be penalized if they are not disturbing neighbors. BSC members also noted that cutting out one workday per week could significantly extend project durations, which already often take up to two years. There was 3826 Amherst St. www.westutx.gov West University Place, TX 77005 713-662-5830 City of West University Place Public Works Department also significant discussion regarding the fact that police currently do not enforce construction start times or noise ordinances. Item was tabled until the next meeting so that a representative from the police department could attend to discuss the current mentality and procedures for enforcement to determine if better enforcement of the existing rules would solve the problem without the need for more restrictive hours. • Modular Homes: The BSC discussed proposed regulations as a way to address concerns about modular homes. While state law prevents the city from banning modular homes entirely, the following regulations were discussed to ensure these structures fit the "look and feel" of the community. Valuation standards—the city could require a modular home to have a value equal to or greater than the median taxable value of all single-family dwellings located within 500 feet of the lot. This is intended to address concerts that lower-value modular construction could devalue adjacent properties. Aesthetic compatibility—proposed regulations would require the home's exterior features to be compatible with single-family dwellings within 500-foot radius. Permanent foundation—although modular homes are already required to be inspected according to standard residential codes, the city can formally mandate they be securely fixed to a permanent structure; and Compliance with existing site requirement—the commission noted that modular homes must still comply with all existing aesthetic standards, building setbacks and square footage improvements. Some BSC members questioned the necessity of these rules, noting that the high cost of land in the city naturally incentivizes high-value construction. The BSC decided to table the discussion to a future meeting so members could personally view the one existing modular home in the city before making a final recommendation. Eddie Matthews made a motion to adjourn. Dennis O'Neill seconded. AYES: Jonathon Hance, Matthew Brejot, Spyros Maragos, Eddie Matthews, and Dennis O'Neill. NOES: None. ABSTAIN: None. Motion approved. Meeting adjourned at 7:35 p.m. PASSED T S DAY OF I 2026. cHJ ...- Ae/i Jonathon ei •-, Chairman ATTEST: Josie M. Hayes, Administrative Coordinator 3826 Amherst St. www.westutx.gov West University Place, TX 77005 713-662-5830