HomeMy WebLinkAboutMinutes 03-19-2008
MINUTES OF THE ST. LUCIE COUNTY
Board of Examiners of Contractors Meeting
Held in Commission Chambers
County Administration Building
2300 Virginia Avenue, Fort Pierce, FL
Monday, March 19, 2008
PRESENT
Vice Chairman.........................................................................................................Fred Rohrbough
Members..................................................................................................................Craig Dunkelberg
.............................................................................................................................Charles James
.............................................................................................................................John Langel
.............................................................................................................................Sean Mitchell
.............................................................................................................................Capt. Derek Foxx
ABSENT
Chairman... (Excused)..............................................................................................Douglas Davis
Members .............................................................................................................Haydn Curtis
.............................................................................................................................Fred Vaughn
................................................................................................................................. Michael DiFrancesco
STAFF PRESENT
AssistantCounty Attorney.....................................................................................Heather Lueke
Code Compliance Manager..................................................................................Chris Lestrange
Code Enforcement Assistant Manager..................................................................Joseph Mulé
Contractor Licensing Supervisor...........................................................................Swendy Ariyanayagam
Contractor Licensing Investigator..........................................................................Monica Barrios
Licensing Investigator...........................................................................................Carl Brome
Staff Secretary......................................................................................................Elizabeth Lifland
Board Recorder....................................................................................................Mary Holleran
* Indicates a motion ** Indicates a vote
A. CALL TO ORDER
The meeting was called to order at 8:35 a.m. by Vice Chairman, Fred Rohrbough.
B. ROLL CALL OF BOARD MEMBERS
The roll was called and everyone was present except Douglas Davis, Michael DiFrancesco, Haydn Curtis and
Fred Vaughn.
C. APPROVAL OF MINUTES – February 18, 2008 Contractor Examining Licensing Board:
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Motion was made by Mr. Langel to approve the Minutes of the February 18, 2008 Contractor’s Licensing
Examining Board Meeting.
** Mr. Mitchell seconded and the motion carried unanimously.
D. SWEARING IN OF STAFF
The following staff members were sworn in by the staff secretary: Chris Lestrange, Joseph Mulé, Monica Barrios,
Carl Brome and Swendy Ariyanayagam.
E. APPLICATIONS TO BE APPROVED:
No applicants were pulled for discussion or consideration.
BY CONSENT VOTE:
BOARD OF EXAMINERS OF CONTRACTORS MEETING February 18, 2008
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Motion was made by Mr. Mitchell to approve the applicants recommended by Consent vote.
** Mr. James seconded and the motion carried unanimously.
Mr. Mitchell noted that Travis P. Lynch had taken the exam on May 9, 1991, and much time had elapsed. Ms.
Ariyanayagam explained he had a Journeyman Electrician’s license, when it lapsed he had to re-apply and his old
scores were used.
The names were read into the record:
QualifierBusiness Name Type of Contractor
Thomas W. Parker Parker Homes, Inc. Residential Contractor
Todd A. Toussaint Todd Anthony Toussaint Journeyman Electrician
Ronny G. White Ronny White, LLC Concrete Contractor
Travis P. Lynch Travis P. Lynch Journeyman Electrician
Joseph G. Varvaro Joseph Gerard Varvaro Journeyman Electrician
Victor F. Loth Electric Energy Savers, LLC Electrical Contractor
Russell David Sutton A-Z Construction & Design, Inc. BuildingContractor
APPLICATIONS RECOMMENDED FOR APPROVAL BY RECIPROCITY:
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Mr. Langel made a motion to approve the applicants recommended for approval by reciprocity.
** Mr. James seconded and the motion carried unanimously.
The names were read into the record:
Qualifier Business Name Type of Contractor
Linda M. Jones Linda Marie Jones Master Electrician (non contractor)
John M. David Sun Deck Concrete, Inc. Concrete Contractor
Robert P. Forsythe Robert P. Forsythe Journeyman Electrician
Matthew David Bauer M & M Design & Color, Inc. Painting Contractor
Gary Michael Hemstreet Folding Shutter Corp. Aluminum w/o concrete-
Specialty Contractor
Reinaldo Guillermo Burac Reinaldo G. Burac Journeyman Electrician
William K. Emerson WEIG Communications, Inc. Communication & Sound Contractor
Warwick Faulkner KIWI Contractors, LLC Residential Contractor
Gary Landmesser Gary Landmesser, Inc., d/b/a Awing Contractor
Hurricane Solutions by Gary
APPLICATIONS APPROVED ADMINISTRATIVELY BASED ON RECIPROCITY FROM THE CITY OF PORT
ST. LUCIE OR THE CITY OF FORT PIERCE:
The applicant’s names were read into the record.
Qualifier Business Name Type of Contractor
Toby J. Lamm TKAT Services, Inc. Painting Contractor
John Harbinson Accent Door of So. Fla., Inc. Garage Door Installation
F. DISCIPLINARY CASES:
Against: George H. Pastor & Sons, Inc., Qualifier, George H. Pastor, C/C# 22438
Expired Permit Summary
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BOARD OF EXAMINERS OF CONTRACTORS MEETING February 18, 2008
Ms. Ariyanayagam explained this case was removed and no action was necessary.
Against: Screen Professionals, Inc., d/b/a AFT Signs of Brevard County, Inc.
Qualifier: Charles Asher, C/Competency #24356
State: SCC 131149939
Expired Permit Summary
Violation: SLC CCL 2-5-19: Prohibited Activities: Sub sections:
(9) Commit any willful, fraudulent act as a contractor as a result of which another is financially
injured.
(12) Commence or perform work for which a county building permit is required without obtaining
the appropriate approval.
SLC CCL 2-5-20: Revocation or suspension of Certificate of Competency
(3) Willfully disregards and violates an applicable state or local building code, regulation or law,
and;
(10) Proceeds on any construction job without first obtaining and posting the required county
building permits and scheduling required inspections.
SLC Land Development Code 11.05.01, (2) a. Time Limitation of Building Permits.
Complaint(s) filed by:
Staff
Investigator:
Monica Barrios
Ms. Barrios reviewed the violations and submitted information relating to the case, including five photos and a list
of the expired permits. The permit for a screen enclosure at 7305 Mystic Way was expired without receiving a
final inspection. When Pioneer Screen Co., Inc. was notified of the expired permit, they requested the permit to be
voided (letter provided). In May, 2007 staff inspected the property and confirmed the screen enclosure was
completed and notified the homeowners, Mr. and Mrs. Richards, of the violation. Mrs. Richards provided a letter
indicating that Screen Professionals only provided a quote for the enclosure and said no structural work was
performed. The contractor can not be found after repeated phone calls, the phone number is disconnected, and
the address is no longer valid. In January, 2008 Mrs. Richards filed a complaint against Charles Asher/b/a Screen
Professionals for completing the work without a permit. (Copies of an invoice and checks totaling $10,300.00
were displayed). As of 3/19/08 the permit is still expired and has not been renewed.
Staff Recommendation:
If Screen Professionals Inc., d/b/a AFT Signs of Brevard County Inc., Charles Asher
Qualifier is found in violation of the above charges that the permitting privileges be revoked in St. Lucie County. It
is further recommended that a copy of the findings of facts in this case and the Board’s Order be sent to the State
Department of Business and Professional Regulation.
No one was present to represent Charles Asher.
Mrs. Patricia Richards, 7305 Mystic Way, Port St. Lucie was sworn in by Ms. Lifland. She stated that she tried to
contact Screen Professionals, they have not returned her calls, she paid them in good faith and would like to see
their license revoked at both the County and State level. She intends to file a civil suit at the State level and has
contacted their attorney to forward her e-mail to him. To tear down the structure the cost has been estimated at
$14,000.00.
Mr. Rohrbough asked if the screen enclosure had been inspected by the Building Dept. Ms. Ariyanayagam said
no and was unsure if the structure was sound. An application for the entire screen enclosure would require an
architect and engineer to sign off in order to get a permit. The Board discussed the costs for re-permitting versus
tearing it down.
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Mr. Langel made a motion and said I hereby move in reference to the complaint against Charles Asher,
Screen Professionals, Inc., d/b/a, AFT Signs of Brevard County, Inc., that the Board make the following
determination: After hearing the facts in this case, the testimony and the recommendation of Staff with
regards to the existence of a violation we determine the violation in fact did occur and the alleged violator
committed the violation. Charles Asher shall have his license suspended in St. Lucie County for one year
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BOARD OF EXAMINERS OF CONTRACTORS MEETING February 18, 2008
and a copy of the findings of facts in this case and the Board’s Order be sent to the Florida Licensing
Industry Construction Board.
** Mr. James seconded and the motion carried unanimously.
Against: William J. Chalifoux, d/b/a William J. Chalifoux, Inc.
Qualifier, William J. Chalifoux, C/Competency # 21157
Expired Permit Summary
Violation: SLC CCL 2-5-20 Revocation or suspension of Certificate of Competency
Subsection (3) Willfully disregards and violates an applicable state or local building code,
regulation or law; and
SLC Land Development Code 11.05.01, (2) a. Time Limitation of Building Permits.
Complaint(s) Filed by:
Staff
Investigator:
Swendy Ariyanayagam
Ms. Ariyanayagam provided a list of the eleven expired permits. Staff notified Mr. Chalifoux of the expired permits
on 8/7/06. The eleven roofing permits were to be renewed and receive a final inspection. Mr. Chalifoux was
scheduled before the Licensing Board in 2007 and he asked for more time to bring the permits into compliance,
as no final inspections were made. Mr. Chalifoux did make an attempt to get it done, and was given more time in
order to finish the jobs. If his license is revoked, all of those jobs will be without a permit and not get completed.
As of 3/19/08 the permits remain expired.
Staff Recommendation:
That the permitting privileges will be suspended until all expired permits are renewed
and receive final inspection. The term of suspension is not to exceed one year. It is further recommended that a
copy of the findings of facts in this case and the Board’s Order be sent to the Florida Construction Industry
Licensing Board for the Registered Roofing Contractor’s License be placed for review.
No one was present to represent to represent William Chalifoux.
Mr. Langel made a motion in reference to the complaints against William Chalifoux that the Board make
the following determination: After hearing the facts in this case, and the testimony and recommendation
of Staff with regards to the existence of a violation we determine the violation in fact did occur and the
alleged violator committed the violation. William Chalifoux shall have his Certificate of Competency
suspended in St. Lucie County for one year for pulling new permits, and is limited to pulling permits for
completing the jobs on file.
** Mr. James seconded and the motion carried unanimously.
G. OLD BUSINESS:
Against: CAVALIER PLUMBING, INC., Qualifier, Eric J. Foster, C/C #23197, Licensed in St. Lucie
County since 2006, (1) Expired permit
Investigator:
Carl Brome
Mr. Brome said the permits were taken care of, there are none outstanding. Ms. Ariyanayagam said the Board
last month gave one month to Mr. Foster to see the progress he made, and this information is for the Board’s
follow-up review only. No action is necessary.
H. NEW BUSINESS:
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BOARD OF EXAMINERS OF CONTRACTORS MEETING February 18, 2008
Ms. Ariyanayagam advised the Board that Fred Vaughn has stepped down from the Board for personal reasons and
they are awaiting a new appointment by the Board of County Commissioners.
A Happy Easter was wished to all.
I. PUBLIC COMMENT: None
J. ADJOURNMENT:
There was no further business and the meeting was adjourned at 9:05 a.m.
Respectfully submitted,
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Craig Dunkelberger, Board Secretary
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Mary F. Holleran, Specialist Consultant
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