Building Code Education and Outreach Council
Meeting Minutes
September 27, 2006, 12:30 P.M.
Department of Business and Professional Regulation
Board Room
Members Present: Jackie Watts (Chair), Miguel Rodriguez (Vice-Chair), Dick Browdy, Philip Graham, Henn Rebane, William Norkunas, Clarence Tibbs
Members Absent: Jim Goodloe, Jon Hamrrick, Charles Sheridan, Sharon Del Bianco, Rick Dixon
Meeting began at 12:35 PM.
Meeting Actions:
I. Discussion/Approval of February 2006 Minutes
Motion to approve February 28, 2006 minutes with no corrections was made by Clarence Tibbs, Second by Phillip Graham. Motion passed.
II. DBPR Report on Implementation of Council Actions Approved at February 2006 Meeting.
Resolution stated that courses are to be updated to the latest version of the Florida Building Code as soon as possible. The Chair clarified with George Ayrish of DBPR, to see how the boards and the Council dealt with this issue. DBPR is still under the same rules that the courses will stay as is for 3 years. Each board will continue to operate as is. The Chair asked if all licensees will have up to date information with the providers. George Ayrish clarified that all boards are expecting the providers to keep their courses up to date.
· DCA/DBPR work more closely together in terms of notification concerning courses that have received accreditation; and for the courses that have not received re-accreditation to be addressed by the respective boards. Ms. Jones, DCA, reported on two issues: 1) DCA sent a letter, dated September 18, 2006, to all training providers that based on the 60-day language that the Council requested, will go to the rule adoption hearing in October 2006 and 2) providers that had purchased or developed advanced courses from the Florida Building Commission had been given the new 2006 supplement information and they have until November 18, 2006, to update and submit for accreditation. As of this meeting, updates have not been received by DCA/FBC.
· The Boards waive fees for DCA/FBC developed/approved advance courses. The Chair asked for clarification as to whether or not the Council requested the boards to waive the fees. Ms. Jones clarified that the Council requested the boards to consider waiving fees on the advanced courses developed by the Florida Building Commission and the initial courses. No boards reported any action.
III.
DBPR Report on CE application that
incorporates the most stringent requirements for use by all boards.
The Chair comments that the boards each have different requirements and should not be within the purview of this Council. Ms. Fentriss with Building A Safer Florida (BASF), addressed the Council and brought a draft universal application for consideration by the Council. Ms. Fentriss also mentioned that in order to do this, changes in law would have to be drafted. The Chair stated that the Council could not address the issue, however could forward to the individual boards for consideration. Ms. Fentriss suggested that some of the industry groups may want to seek to make those legislative changes. The Chair stated that the fees are set by the individual boards and this Council does not have the authority to change that. Ms. Fentriss stated that there is no need to change the collection of fees. Discussion continued about the universal application:
Tim Vaccaro (DBPR) makes comments against the universal application. Risks are that providers may fill out the wrong information and cause delays in approval of applications. He shares his concerns about the Council having legislative authority in regards to the application process.
Ms. Fentriss clarifies the universal application.
The Chair suggested the issue be forwarded to the perspective boards for consideration on making the application process easier for the providers. The Council agreed. The Chair suggested sending this draft of a universal application electronically to George Ayrish at DBPR to send to the boards for review.
IV.
Discuss proposed subjects for advanced
courses re:
The Chair asks for clarification on the subjects that are being considered advanced courses. Michael Clark addresses the Council and clarifies that there are a combination of specific subject matters and updates on building codes that are currently considered advanced courses. The rules for the number of hours are established by individual boards. ECLB/CILB are set at 1 hour, all others are set at 2 hours.
The Chair requests of the Council, clarification of an advanced course. Ms. Jones clarifies this issue; the statutes require the Council to present subject matters for advanced courses to the Florida Building Commission to review and approve. The Council needs to provide the subject matters they would like to see adopted for providers to develop courses in the future on particular subject matters. The Council cannot move forward to the Commission and bring them back to the Council until the subject matters are approved.
The Chair suggested having the advanced courses on the code changes and updates. With input from various members and attendees, subject areas may include Mechanical, Plumbing, Florida Residential, Existing, Building Structural
Mr. Browdy comments on the advanced course subjects and needs assessment. One suggestion was to look at code violations or transitions to code updates to determine what courses are needed to be developed.
Mr. Norkunas comments on accessibility issues and federal judges. The Florida Building Code does not address accessibility issues that have been challenged by the courts. He suggests that as a ruling is handed down the accessibility advanced courses should be updated.
Mr. Browdy comments on various issues regarding types of topics suggested by the UF/BOAF survey requested by the Florida Building Commission. He also suggests the development of some type of program or needs assessment for the providers. One suggestion presented by Mr. Browdy was to have a sub-committee to work with BOAF and BASF to develop a more inclusive needs assessment disseminated to the building officials. Discussion took place regarding where the information should come from. Mr. Rodriguez shares a concern about having input from the architects and interior designers as it relates to applicability.
The Chair clarified that the directive to bring back a list of topics instead of generalities. The list would be needed no later than November 15, 2006 in order to present the list to the Commission in December.
The Chair suggested an October telephone conference to address this issue. The survey that BOAF submitted will be the starting point. Ms. Fentriss will go to the various boards, Ms. Jones will contact the Fire Marshall and Mr. Rebane will contact the engineers for input. The Council members will send necessary information electronically to Ms. Jones. The date for the teleconference will be at 9:00 A.M. on Tuesday, October 31, 2006. Ms. Jones will make sure the Suncom number gets sent to the members. The agenda will be sent to members electronically. A reminder notice will be sent to the members electronically.
V.
Discuss
The Chair clarified that the CILB has to be interactive and contact someone within 24 hours with questions.
Ms. Fentriss comments this may not benefit the construction industry at this time. Mr. Rodriguez stated that the contractors would not be learning on the job but on their own time. He also discussed the methods of training availability for the construction industry.
Discussion regarding delivery of courses rather than topics of courses takes place. Ms. Jones suggested requesting Ms. Mayo to participate in the conference call, the council agreed.
The Chair then asked how much money was in the fund, the estimate is $250,000 for this board to spend. The carry-over is what is not spent.
VI.
Discuss Advance Courses for 2007
Ms. Jones clarified the new code implementation in October 2008. This issue deals with the advance courses that the Commission has developed for the 2001 code and updated to the 2004 code. It is going to be very difficult t update the current advanced courses to the 2008 Building Code. It was never intended for the Commission to be the main developer of these courses. These courses will not be updated by the Commission, private providers will need to take this responsibility. The Commission will update the core course.
VII.
Discussion re: Overall Education System
Mr. Norkunas made comments on the binding opinions and what this council can do. He also shared his concerns for education on accessibility.
The Chair made comments on responsibility issues with the building officials.
Discussion took place about apprenticeship programs. Ms. Jones asked to be placed on the boards agendas to gain an understanding of where the education needs are.
Jim Richmond, DCA, shared his concerns about funding availability and the authority.
Mr. Rodriguez made comments on more advanced on-line courses.
Discussion took place on the different types of courses and how those courses are presented, i.e. video, on-line, etc. and the ruling being discussed with the Commission.
Mr. Rodriguez raised an issue that was not on the agenda: the Florida Building Commission had developed
an advance course that was approved for an instructor-led format. AIA had videotaped a presentation of the
course and was currently selling the course via online and DVD. The Florida Building Commission had notified
AIA, since the course had been approved by the Commission and boards for
instructor-led instruction,
the online course was required to be submitted through the
accreditation process and placed on the FBC agenda for review. Ms. Johnson with AIA Florida requested
that the Council bring this concern to the Commission for resolution. The Council was advised a rule development workshop was being
conducted on Rule 9B-70, F.A.C., at the October 2006 Florida Building
Commission meeting. The rule adoption
hearing should occur at the December 2006 meeting. Mr. Richmond suggested that if anyone would
like to submit written comments as part of the packets for the Commission, this
could be done for the December meeting. Mr. Browdy
announced the Education POC meeting on October 10th from 1:00 – 3:00
PM at the Embassy Suites,
Chair clarified teleconference on October 31, 2006 at 9:00 AM, to discuss subjects areas for education and outreach. Subject areas are to be submitted to the DCA.
Motion to adjourn given by Mr. Browdy, second by Mr. Rodriguez.