Florida Building Commission

Education POC Minutes

February 2007

_____________________________________________________________________

POC Members Present: Dick Browdy (Chair), Jon Hamrick, Pete Tagliarini, Herminio Gonzalez

Absent: Steve Bassett

Meeting Attendees

Frank ONeill

Alex Kubryn

Jack Glenn

Don Fuchs

Cam Fentriss

Joan O'Conner

Larry Schneider A.M.

Bill Norkunas

 

Sharon Mignardi

Med Kopcznski

Bernice Ryder-Smit

Jim Manning

Joe Belcher

Dave Jones

Scala Bcbra

James Boll

1. Review and Approval of February 2007 Agenda

 

Motion: Jon Hamrick

2 nd : Pete Tagliarini

Approved Unanimously

 

 

2. Review and Approval of December 2006 Minutes

 

Motion: Approve December 2006 POC Minutes contingent on changing the voting approval outcome for the course titled “SREF Advanced Continuing Education Course” from “Approved Unanimously” to “Four approved and One abstention”, on page 7.

Motion: Jon Hamrick

2 nd : Pete Tagliarini

Approved Unanimously As Amended

 

 

3. Discuss the status of previously approved courses which have not been updated using the 2006 Supplement (A Memo was sent on September 19, 2006 to remind providers to update)

 

The Educational Administrator stated that both training providers and accreditors have been notified at least on three different occasions that their advanced courses needed to be updated, using the 2006 Supplement. A September Memo sent to both groups was specifically noted by the administrator (and included as part of the agenda). The Administrator further stated that as of today, there are approximately 37 courses currently housed in the BCIS that have not been updated.

 

Alex Kubryn noted that the course updating/accreditation/approval process was very cumbersome between what the FBC required and what DBPR required. The Chair agreed, but stated that at least procedurally this issue needed to be addressed by the POC

 

Motion : To recommend that the Commission notify the Department of Business and Professional Regulation that approximately 37 courses have not been properly updated using the 2006 Code Change Supplement.

Motion: Jon Hamrick

2 nd : Herminio Gonzalez

Approved Unanimously

 

 

4. Discuss and review the language changes to 9B-70 that are currently being considered.

 

The Chair asked if there needed to be any discussion regarding the proposed language changes to 9B-70, prior to the public hearing tomorrow during the FBC Plenary Session. No discussion ensued, so no action was taken.

 

 

 

 

 

 

5. Discuss any legislative updates regarding the FBC education program.

 

The Chair asked Cam Fentriss to comment on any legislative updates regarding the FBC education program. Cam stated, as a representative of BASF (Building A Safer Florida), that their basic recommendation is to eliminate the Education and Outreach Council, as it currently exists. She stated that the current Council is basically ineffective. Also, parts of the education program are spread across multiple organizations, which includes the Council. So the idea is to bring all aspects of the “code training program” under the auspices of one entity, which at least would enhance the efficiency of overlapping processes and give licensees a stronger voice. A suggestion would be to bring code education practices under the oversight of DCA (Department of Community Affairs) and maybe have a private, non-profit entity contract to implement the actual code training program.

 

Cam also stated that a contributing factor for the Council's ineffectiveness was that both council members (who are also board members at DBPR) and DBPR staff overly protects their “turf” and would not work together, or with other state agencies. Further, Cam stated that DBPR did not want to work towards changes regarding their current practices and processes. The Chair agreed with Cam and stated also that the Council members didn't really want to work together, as well as the DBPR boards.

 

Larry Schneider stated that DBPR needs to change their attitude regarding their reticence to work with other groups and their opposition to consider changing educational processes and practices. Cam said that BASF is currently meeting with the Secretary of DBPR and is trying to make inroads regarding some of these issues.

 

Commissioner Norkunas, citing the referenced BASF proposed language, asked, what private, non-profit entity would run the code training program. Cam replied that any entity with adequate qualifications could do so. Larry Schneider asked if an individual could pursue this contract instead of a non-profit entity.

 

Jim Richmond stated that this proposed language is a good first step towards creating an effective code training program. Don Fuchs suggested that the accreditation process should be included as part of the training program----everyone agreed.

 

The Chair suggested that another option could be that the FBC withdraw from the code education business and leave it strictly up to the various boards.

 

The Chair asked if the education program needs to address the new law regarding windborne debris. Jim Richmond stated that the provision for implementation of the new windborne debris law is up to the local officials throughout the state.

 

Joe Belcher asked if the FBC, as part of changing the education program, could recommend a minimum number of hours of training for licensing and/or license renewal.

 

Med Kopcznski suggested that a work group be put together to help Cam rework the proposed language eliminating the Council and re-tooling the education program.

 

Other than the lively discussion, no other official action was taken.

 

 

 

6. Discuss the creation and scope of a “work group” assembled to re-design the training and accreditation modules on the BCIS.

 

The Chair asked the Educational Administrator to address the procedural aspects of this activity. The Administrator stated that both accreditors and providers will be invited to be part of this work group. The meeting(s) will be noticed and a central location will be chosen as a meeting site. The results of the meeting(s) will be sent to the participants and posted on the BCIS.

 

Ila Jones stated that the actual modification work will begin in June, 2007, so the information gathering meetings will need to occur between March and May, 2007.

 

Sharon Mignardi asked if the meeting(s) could be scheduled around the next Commission meetings. Larry Schneider suggested that it would be too cumbersome for many participants if these meetings added another day to the usual Commission meeting duration of 3 days, so instead hold stand alone meeting(s).

 

The Administrator stated that the schedule will be worked out, using this type of information. He also stated that he would send out the invitation to join this work group, during the week of February 12-15, 2007 . No other action was taken.

 

 

7. Review Pending “Accreditor” Applications for Recommendation to the Commission

(None pending)

 

8. Education Administrator Activity Report

 

The Education Administrator reported to the POC what activities he performed between December 7, 2006 and February 1, 2007 . The following areas were reported on:

No comments were made or offered about the reports contents.

 

 

9. Identify future POC member discussion items.

 

The Chair asked for future discussion items from the POC members and none were forthcoming at this time.

 

 

10. General Public Comment

No Comments were received.

 

13. Summary and Review of Meeting Work Products/Action Items, Assignments, and Next Steps

 

The Chair stated that the next FBC meeting was in March and if anyone had ideas for agenda items, that they should contact the Education Administrator.

 

The Education Administrator stated that he would send dates for course submissions for the rest of the year, to both providers and accreditors.

 

 

 

Adjourn

Motion: Herminio Gonzalez

2 nd : Jon Hamrick

Approved Unanimously

Recommended Commission Actions

The following course, under the ‘Accredited, Pending FBC Approval” status, was approved by the POC.

 

Course: Coastal Construction and the Florida Building Code

Provider: C2N Code Solutions Group

Accreditor: Bill Dumbaugh

BCIS #: 219

Motion: Course approved based on the FBC accreditation process that only verifies the accuracy of the Florida Building Code related content

Motion: Jon Hamrick

2 nd : Herminio Gonzalez

Approved Unanimously

 

 

Updated Course Approvals

The courses listed below have been updated with the 2006 Code Supplement. The chair listed all of the courses and asked for a Consent Agenda approval for all of the courses.

Motion: Herminio Gonzalez

2 nd : Pete Tagliarini

Approved Unanimously

 

Course and # Provider Accreditor Date of Approval

 

Fla. Building Code RedVector.com BCIC LLC 12/11/06

Adv. 2004 Build.

Struct. (#41.2)

 

Indoor Environmentl Design Arts BCIC LLC 12/15/06

Quality—FBC Adv. Seminars Inc.

Course (# 191.1)

 

Fla. Building Code RedVector.com BCIC LLC 12/15/06

Adv. 2004: Plumbing

/Fuel Gas (#42.1)

 

Fla. Building Code RedVector.com BCIC LLC 12/15/06

Adv. 2004: IEQ

Overview (#34.1)

 

Advanced Module: Contractor's Educ. BCIC LLC 12/15/06

Fla. Building Code Source, Inc.

Build/Structural

(#49.1)

 

Advanced Building AAA Construction JDB Code Services 12/15/06

Structural Summary School, Inc.

(# 97.1)

 

2004 FBC Advanced RS&H . BCIC LLC 12/15/06

(#151.1)

 

Advanced Adminis. Becker & Poliakoff, BCIC LLC 12/15/06

(#77.1) PA

2004 FBC Advanced JC Code & Construct. BCIC LLC 1/11/07

Accessibility Consultants, Inc.

Training (#216)

 

2004 Florida Build. Building Officials Bill Dumbaugh 1/11/07

Code-Chptrs. 5,6,7 Assoc. of Fla.

(#210)

 

Adv. 2004 Build./ Univ. of Fla.-Fla. JDB Code Services 1/11/07

Struc. Summary: Energy Extension

2006 Supplement

(#221)

 

Fla. Building Code Fla. Pool & Spa BCIC LLC 1/11/07

Advanced Training: Association/

Residential (#220) NSPI-FL

 

ADV Three Building AIA Florida Larry M. Schneider 1/11/07

Envelope Construct.

Methods (#211)

 

2004 Adv. Fl. Bldg. The Media Factory BCIC LLC 1/16/07

Code, Bldg. Structrl

Summary (#128.1)

 

2004 Advanced School For Contractrs BCIC LLC 1/16/07

Bldg./Structural and Trades

Summary (#106.1)

 

2004 FBC Building / BRB Code Bill Dumbaugh 1/16/07

Structural Summary Educators, Inc.

(#105.1)

 

Advanced 2004 Boss Construction BCIC LLC 1/16/07

Mechanical/Energy School

(#189.1)

 

FBC Advanced BRB Code Bill Dumbaugh 1/16/07

Residential Course Educators, Inc.

(#94.2)

 

Advanced 2005 Code Access JDB Code Services 1/10/07

Accessibility Course

(#215)

 

Advanced 2004 Palm Beach BCIC LLC 1/19/07

FBC Building / Notices, Inc.

Structural Summary

(#111.1)

 

Advanced FBC Versatile Industries, BCIC LLC 1/19/07

2004 Build/Struct. Inc.

Summary (#146.1)

 

2004 FBC Build/ Professional Training BCIC LLC 1/19/07

Struct. Summary & Consultants, Inc.

(#158.1)

 

2004 Building tds construction BCIC LLC 1/29/07

Code Building services llc

Structural Summary

(#116.1)

 

Advanced 2004 FBC Brevard Electrical BCIC LLC 1/29/07

Building/Structural Apprenticeship

Summary (#125.1) Training Program

 

Fl. Building Code RedVector.com BCIC LLC 1/29/07

Adv. 2004 Build/

Structural (#155.1)

 

Advanced 2004 Fla. Fla. Consortium BCIC LLC 1/29/07

Building Code - of Community

Bldg./Struc. (#149.1) Colleges

Note: This document is available in alternate formats upon request to the Department of Community Affairs, Codes and Standards, 255 Shumard Oak Blvd. , Tallahassee , Fl. 32399, (850) 487 – 1824.