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HomeMy WebLinkAboutMinutes 01-20-2010 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 January 20, 2010 PRESENT Chairman................................................................................................................. Douglas Davis Vice Chairman..........................................................................................................Fred Rohrbough ................................................................................................................................Craig Dunkelberger ………………………………………………………………………………………………Haydn Curtis ………………………………………………………………………………………………Roger Hudspeth ………………………………………………………………………………………………Michael DiFrancisco .................................................................................................................... ………..Charles James .............................................................................................................................John Langel .............................................................................................................................Sean Mitchell .............................................................................................................................Capt. Derek Foxx ABSENT STAFF PRESENT AssistantCounty Attorney .....................................................................................Heather Lueke Code Compliance Manager ..................................................................................Chris Lestrange Code Enforcement Supervisor ..............................................................................Dennis Bunt Contractor Licensing Investigator ..........................................................................Monica Barrios Staff Secretary......................................................................................................Beatriz Goycochea Board Recorder ....................................................................................................Mary Holleran * Indicates a motion ** Indicates a vote A. CALL TO ORDER The meeting was called to order at 8:39 a.m. B. ROLL CALL OF BOARD MEMBERS The roll was called and everyone was present. C. APPROVAL OF MINUTES – October 21, 2009 Contractor Examining Licensing Board: ? Motion was made by Mr. Hudspeth to approve the Minutes of the October 21, 2009 Contractor Licensing Examining Board Meeting. ** Mr. James seconded and the motion carried unanimously. D. SWEARING IN OF STAFF The following staff members were sworn in by Ms. Goycochea: Chris Lestrange, Dennis Bunt, and Monica Barrios. Mr. Davis commented on the resignation of Ms. Ariyanayagam and asked how the leadership of the Contractor Examining Licensing Board would progress. Mr. Lestrange indicated that Code Enforcement would assume the responsibilities of the Licensing Board, with supervision under Dennis Bunt. Code Enforcement Officers Melissa Brubaker, Lynn Swartzel, Chris Counsellor and Mark Fowler were introduced and will be handling the duties. E. APPLICATIONS TO BE APPROVED: No applicants were pulled for discussion or consideration. BOARD OF EXAMINERS OF CONTRACTORS MEETING January 20, 2010 BY CONSENT VOTE: ? Motion was made by Mr. James to approve the applicants recommended by Consent vote. ** Mr. Langel seconded and the motion carried unanimously. The names were read into the record, prior to the motion: Qualifier Business Name Type of Contractor William G. Coelho Amazing Kitchens and Closets, Inc. Carpentry Misael Brito Misael Brito Master Electrical (Non-contractor) Christopher S. Campbell Christopher S. Campbell Journeyman Electrical William C. Eisenbrandt William C. Eisenbrandt Journeyman Electrical James R. Gordy James R. Gordy Journeyman Electrical John A. Kaires John A. Kaires Journeyman Electrical Mark J. Dowdy Mark J. Dowdy Journeyman Electrical Mothel Louis Mothel Louis Master Electrical (Non-Contractor) Manuel G. Martin Manuel G. Martin Master Electrical (Non Contractor) APPLICATIONS RECOMMENDED FOR APPROVAL BY RECIPROCITY: ? Mr. James made a motion to approve the applicants recommended for approval by reciprocity. ** Mr. Langel seconded and the motion carried unanimously. The names were read into the record: Qualifier Business Name Type of Contractor Aloisio D. Nunes Arch Millwork Installation, Inc. Finish Carpentry Richard E. Berry Seal Rite Paver, Inc. Paving Guy R. Boucher Guy R. Boucher Master Electrical (Non Contractor) Christopher L. Johnson Superior Fence & Rail of Brevard, Inc Fence Katherine Sagner Chris Sagner Plastering LLC Plastering Jonathan Tremblay MER Enterprises LLC Insulation Todd L. Sinasac Precision Window & Door Installation Siding, Window & Door Bradford S. Trubey Sunflower Landscaping and Irrigation Sprinkler Maintenance Inc, D/B/A MAC Irrigation Danny L. Ouellette Stone Source Installation LLC Tile & Marble Jay A. Meltzer Coastal Floors & Granite LLC Tile & Marble 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 Scott A. Peters All Indian River/Port St. Lucie/Fence Depot LLC Fence Adam P. Yingling Hydra Logic Inc Irrigation Sprinkler Ezra Jacob A-1 Plumbing Service LLC A/C Class B John R. Stepanek A/C Mann Inc Electrical Antonio Charlez Jr Boynton Drywall of So. Florida, Inc Drywall Roberto J. Beck D & R Rescreening Inc Aluminum w/Concrete Thomas A. Green Custom Painting by Tom Green Inc Painting Joseph Banasiak Premier Painting of the Treasure Coast LLC Painting Al E. Burford Cheyanne Sprinkler & Well Inc Irrigation Sprinkler Bradley S. Ashleu South East Irrigation Irrigation Sprinkler Danielle Mascarenhas D F Professional Services Corp Tile & Marble Page 2 of 6 BOARD OF EXAMINERS OF CONTRACTORS MEETING January 20, 2010 Clifford Donnelley D & M Enterprises of the Treasure Coast LLC Marine Wayne Hayward Kers Electrical Contracting LLC Electrical Thomas G. Dillon Thomas Dillon Painting & Pressure Cleaning LLC Painting THE FOLLOWING APPLICATION IS RECOMMENDED FOR APPROVAL BY REVIEW; Qualifier Business Name Type of Contractor Jean R. Dupoux Jean R. Dupoux Journeyman Electrical ? Mr. Bunt explained that Mr. Dupoux was a licensed in 1998 in St. Lucie County, he went to Massachusetts in 2004, has returned and now wants to renew his license. He has been gone for a long period of time, filled in a new application and only had a minimum of references that are local. The local references for St. Lucie County are under review. Mr. Davis asked if we accept references from outside of the jurisdiction. Mr. Bunt said we always ask for local. Mr. James confirmed that he was a Journeyman Electrician in St. Lucie County from 1998 to 2004. Mr. Bunt confirmed he took the exam and passed with a 78%. Mr. Curtis confirmed there were no complaints against him in his file. ? Mr. James made a motion in reference to approving the Journeyman Electrical application for Jean R. Dupox because he had been approved in St. Lucie County in 1998 when he came before that Board. ** Mr. Langel seconded and the motion carried unanimously. Mr. Davis confirmed that Mr. Dupoux was approved to receive Certification of Competency. The name of Mr. Jean R. Doupoux name was read into the record. F. DISCIPLINARY CASES: AGAINST: Contractor: Don Campora Construction Co. Inc. Qualifier: Douglas L. Campora County # 24704 St. License # CGC022955 Type of Contractor: General Licensed in SLC since: 2007 Investigator: Monica Vargas Barrios Staff advised this case was removed and pulled from the agenda. There were no other disciplinary cases before the Board. G. OLD BUSINESS: NONE H. NEW BUSINESS: Certificate for Digging Swimming Pools 4.11.13 Certificate to Dig. (Copy provided to the Board) Page 3 of 6 BOARD OF EXAMINERS OF CONTRACTORS MEETING January 20, 2010 Ms. Lueke explained the Board of County Commissioners (BCC) was provided with proposed changes to the Historical Preservation Ordinance which was passed in 2004-2005 requiring a Certificate to Dig in an Archeological Zone, with an exemption for digging swimming pools. Some members of the public objected to the exemption and brought it to the Historical Preservation Board. One of the Commissioners suggested that some of the practitioners might like to weigh in on whether this is a good idea. Ms. Lueke believed this Board to be an excellent source of practitioners and asked for their comments and recommendations that she could pass on to the BCC, who were on the fence as to whether or not to require a Certificate to Dig for swimming pools. Mr. Davis referred to Article A. (read)..and asked if those activities were already regulated and required to go through this Certificate satisfaction? Ms. Lueke said yes and explained that section looks exactly like the current Code, and there is another section with the exception for swimming pools. Mr. Davis asked why there was an exception for swimming pools. Ms. Lueke recollected that developers said it was too burdensome to have to get a Certificate to dig for swimming pools, and the Board at that time was persuaded that it would be too burdensome on developers and homeowners and the application fee is $50.00. Over time the members of the County Commission have changed and this Board is unsure about it. Mr. Davis asked if this required the applicant to hire someone to do a survey and the actual burden may be more than the actual $50.00 fee. Ms. Lueke agreed that it could; it would go to the Historic Preservation Officer (HPO) who would determine based on the location of the Archeological Zone the likelihood they would find something, i.e., a midden. Discussion ensued on determining you were in an Archeological Zone. A map of those zones was not available, and suggested they are mostly all near water. New construction for a house would require a Certificate. Mr. Rohrbough saw no need for one more layer of regulations, they already know where the Archeological Zones are in this County, anything that goes on in those areas is going to be monitored. He didn’t see any reason to pay $50.00 to have someone come and look. Discussing waterways as the most likely Preservation spots, he said a lot of the old settlers built on Indian Mounts because that was the highest spot in case of flooding, and no one went out there to dig, and if you dig up bones you are supposed to call the Sheriff’s Office. Mr. Davis clarified Mr. Rohrbough’s opinion was that he didn’t believe that this Certificate is required for new construction, demolition and removal of trees. Mr. Rohrbough said that wasn’t what he said. He said if you are going to legitimately protect an Historical Site, the contractor can call if anything of historical significance is found. Mr. Rohrbough referred to the Circle found in Miami, and the media attention it got that would not allow construction to continue. Mr. Dunkelberger commented that a new PUD is looked at during the initial planning process and there would be a lot of redundancy looking at it again. Ms. Lueke clarified that she was bringing forth an Ordinance that is changing other parts of the Historic Preservation Code and when this was brought to a different Advisory Committee some members noted the exemption and wanted to know why, and she indicated it was due to protest and objections in 2004-2005. Then that Advisory Committee asked the BCC to get rid of the exemption, that it wasn’t necessary. Also there was a member of that Committee who said she saw a swimming pool being dug inside a midden, and there was no way to stop them from digging up pottery shards, the police were called, they said there was nothing that could be done, and she called the Code Board. That Advisory Board wanted to prevent things like that happening again. If human bones are found the Sheriff’s Office is called. Mr. Davis had a similar opinion to that of Mr. Rohrbough, if there is a way that this will be monitored or recognized through an existing permitting process, not to add another layer. There is trouble with getting projects started because of the timing of the actual permit release, as we keep adding layers. He spoke of personal experience with a project and he agreed they needed to monitor and guard these Archeological areas but it could be done at a lesser measure rather than adding another layer with an application and fee. He asked the Board and staff for their suggestions without adding this layer. Mr. Rohrbough suggested they recognize that the contractor give 24 hour notice to the Archeological people when dealing with digging a hole in the ground. Further comments continued. Page 4 of 6 BOARD OF EXAMINERS OF CONTRACTORS MEETING January 20, 2010 ? Mr. Rohrbough made a motion in response to the Board of County Commissioners and anyone else who has this agenda, that we would like to have the pool contractors give 24 hours notice to the Historic Preservation Officer when they are going to dig and the Officer can make the decision whether he wants to be there to see what comes out of the ground. If the Officer finds something of historical significance he has a badge in his pocket and he can stop anything he needs to stop. In this particular instance I see no reason to get anyone else involved, no more permits and no more layers of bureaucracy. ** Mr. Difrancisco seconded the motion. Discussion continued on the procedure and obligation for digging a hole for a swimming pole and for digging other holes, i.e. for a septic tank. Ms. Lueke commented on finding pottery chards, arrow heads and human bones. Mr. Dunkelberger asked if the HPO is notified and do they review all building permits, or PUDs. Ms. Lueke said she is a Planner wearing several hats, and explained how things come to her desk. If a building is 50 years or older or it’s in an Archaeological Zone, or someone is remodeling it, or it’s under development she sees it for review. If the building is not historically significant it goes back to the building department. If it is historically significant it goes on to a different track for review. Mr. Dunkelberger confirmed that any permit that comes in for new construction, she would not generally see and he asked how is the determination made that it is an Historical Site. Ms. Lueke said that permitting knows about the “50 years or older” for a building, and they know from demolition permits if the building is 50 years or older and would contact the HPO. Mr. Dunkelberger asked what would happen if pool contractors didn’t call within the 24 hours, and they couldn’t get in touch with the HPO, would we really want to obligate them. Mr. Rohrbough said if he was a pool contractor would he rather fill out a permit, pay $50, wait ten days, if he got turned down wait another 60 days, or rather e-mail the HPO and give her the agenda for week. If the HPO wants to come and look, fine. He would rather the pool be exempt but if they are doing anything, this was the way to go. Further discussion ensued on WWAAD, satisfying the archeological site concern, the undo burden on pool contractors, the 48 hours for the HPO to check it out and get to the pool site. Mr. Dunkelberger was in favor of preservation. Giving them 48 hours was discussed. ** A voice vote was taken: Craig Dunkelberger-no, he was in favor of keeping it as it is, and not placing the burden on the pool contractor because then you have to place it on other contractors and where will it stop. Fred Rohrbough – yes. Doug Davis – no. Charles James – no. John Langel – no. Hayden Curtis-yes. Michael Difrancisco – no. Roger Hudspeth – yes. Capt. Foxx – no. Sean Mitchell – yes. The motion failed 6-4. Opposing were, Mr. Dunkelberger, Mr. Davis, Mr. James, Mr. Langel, Mr. Difrancisco, and Capt. Fox. Mr. Davis agreed with both sides and said there was discussion and opinion that could be passed on to the BCC about not imposing additional requirements and burden on the contractor. Those who opposed the motion were in favor of keeping the exemption. I. NEW BUSINESS- Mr. Davis commented that he was unable to make the event to say goodbye to Swendy and he got a card of thanks and appreciation for her service, and asked the Board to sign it. Mr. James asked staff for an up date on the item that was removed from the agenda. Ms. Lueke advised he hired an attorney and the case would be coming back to the Board because they asked for a continuance, unless between now and the next meeting it is resolved. Further discussion ensued. Staff will be looking at the other contractor as well. J. PUBLIC COMMENT: None K. ADJOURNMENT: There was no further business and the meeting was adjourned at 9:50 a.m. Respectfully submitted, -------------------------------------------------- Craig Dunkelberger, Board Secretary Page 5 of 6 BOARD OF EXAMINERS OF CONTRACTORS MEETING January 20, 2010 Page 6 of 6