Building Code Education and Outreach Council
Meeting Minutes
October 31, 2006
Telephone Conference Call
Department of Community Affairs
2555 Shumard Oak Boulevard, Room 210L
Tallahassee, Florida
Members Present: Jackie Watts (Chair), Sharon Del Bianco, Charles Sheridan, Clarence Tibbs, Philip Graham, Jr., Richard Browdy, Williams Norkunas, Rick Dixon, Henn Rebane, Jon Hamrick, Jim Goodloe
Members Absent: Miguel Rodriguez
Guests Present: Glenda Mayo, Tam Landis and Karen Rasmussen, University of West Florida; Cam Fentriss, BASF; Jim Richmond, DCA; GW Harrell, DBPR
Meeting began at 9:02 AM.
Meeting Actions:
II. Discussion/Approval of September Minutes: Henn Rebane made the motion to approve the minutes as posted on the internet, seconded by Jon Hamrick. Motion passed.
III. Discuss Proposed Subjects for Advanced Courses Regarding the Florida Building Code: There was a lengthy discussion about aiding and abetting laws and rules and licensee training on these issues.
The subjects presented by the boards were:
Construction Industry Licensing Board
Outreach (billboards, website postings, articles for trade publications, fact sheets, and other short message means to alert and reinforce) on rules and laws relating to building codes and licensure requirements
Board of Architecture and Interior Design (Interior Design) – not present
Electrical Contractors Licensing Board
Safety on live electrical parts
Board of Landscape Architecture
Site and parking lot Accessibility, commercial swimming pools and spas, lighting (site and energy conservation), water conservation through storm water design, site design, roof gardens and green roofs, outdoor type structures (arbors, shelters, large gathering facilities, etc.), LEED related topics.
Board of Professional Engineers
Building Code Administrator and Inspector Board
Florida Building Commission
Code related courses
A better survey on failures in the field
Training on electrical requirements of the energy code
ADA and plumbing contractors
(Note: The Commission just approved a plumbing and ADA course that is coming before the Construction Industry Licensing Board.)
Private industry will be responsible for the development of these courses through an administrator obtained by a Request for Proposal put together by the DCA.
The Chair asked if the Council wanted to move away from the suggestions of the CILB and proceed with the subjects that were presented by the other boards. The Council agreed with this statement.
There was discussion on what the intent of the Administrator’s role would be and how the funding would be spent. Ms. Jones explained the intent of the Administrator’s role for the Council according to the Statutes, what the providers expect and what the Commission expects of this position.
The Chair opens discussion about the cost of outreach with DBPR and BASF.
Jon Hamrick makes the motion to spell out in the RFP that the Administrator will be responsible for 1/3 outreach to 2/3 education. Second by Phil Graham. Motion passed.
This issue was tabled due to the above motion on the RFP for the Administrator.
The University of West Florida explained this initiative. The Chair opened discussion for questions and answers. There was concern about the cost, type, availability and diversity of the courses developed through this program.
Phil Graham made a motion to approve the $24,700.80 to be spent on Statewide Building Code Training Utilizing A Virtual Construction Video Library, understanding that the CILB has certain parameters and the courses would be made available to the public and these courses would be subject to review by the Florida Building Commission Education POC and the accreditation by the Florida Building Commission and also go through the CEU committees. Second by Dick Browdy. Motion passed.
Mr. Browdy suggested making this motion public in the Codes Quarterly.
Ila Jones will be the contact person until an Administrator is approved. Ms. Jones stated that there will be an RFP for an Administrator. Ms. Jones recommended that this project be included as part of the RFP for the Administrator. The Council agreed. This issue will be brought before the FBC in December.
Ms. Jones deferred to Ms. Fentriss for explanation. The question was how do the various boards approve advanced courses approved by the Florida Building Commission? It was suggested that a diagram of the process from the Commission approval to DBPR be made and shared with the Council. The Chair will work with Mr. Harrell and George Ayrish to develop the diagram and bring before the Council.
Mr. Norkunas asked if it would be possible for the board that licenses permitting officials to mandate a specific course on accessibility for uniformity across the state. Discussion took place between the Chair and Mr. Norkunas about the development of a standardized accessibility course. Ms. Fentriss asked Mr. Norkunas if he would discuss with Building A Safer Florida (BASF) a plan for developing such a course. Mr. Norkunas gave several examples of Federal court cases that are taking place within the State of Florida and the impact of the rulings.
Ms. Jones asks if the Council wants to use one entity to participate in the RFP or a group. The Council agreed to use one entity for the RFP.
Mr. Tibbs makes a motion to adjourn. Second by Mr. Sheridan. Motion passed.