HomeMy WebLinkAbout12.08.2008•
COUNCIL WORK SESSION
December 8, 2008
4:45 p.m.
Council Chambers
Members present: Mayor Hurley, Cole, Getty, Hart, Steve Schmitt, Welper, Reggie Schmitt.
Members absent: Greenwood.
Moved by Reggie Schmitt, seconded by Hart that the Agenda, as proposed, be approved. Ayes:
Six. Absent: Greenwood. Motion carried.
Lou Cutwright, Building Official/Maintenance Administrator, reviewed a proposed change to the
City's Electrical Ordinance which would adopt the 2008 National Electrical Code (NEC), with
some minor amendments. Waterloo is presently under the 1999 National Electrical Code. The
State of Iowa is adopting the 2008 NEC as of January 1, 2009 which will regulate the electrical
industry. The city's Chief Electrical Inspection and the City of Cedar Falls' Electrical Inspector
have been working together so that our ordinances mirror each other. Mr. Cutwright noted that
the city currently has a 3 rating with ISO. The ISO rates are based on current ordinance,
education and training of employees. Mr. Cutwright commented that the proposed ordinance
should make it easier for electrical contractors to perform electrical work within the city. Mr.
Cutwright explained that a few of our items are different from the City of Cedar Falls, such as
the makeup of the board, but most technical aspects will be the same.
Scott Jordan urged the council to support the proposed ordinance adopting the 2008 National
Electrical Code. Mr. Jordan noted that he supports state licensing as it keeps all the cities
uniform. Mr. Jordan noted that his only concern is the timing as the state will start licensing as
of January 1, 2009, and many contractors currently have bids out. Mr. Jordan stated that the new
code will add costs to consumers, but he thinks it is the right thing to do. Mr. Jordan stated he
supports all the amendments, because they are good and are for safety. Mr. Cutwright stated that
those contractors who have bids out before January 2009 will continue to function under the
current ordinance. The new ordinance will take effect upon adoption and publication of the
ordinance. Mr. Cutwright noted that the Board,. gt;glectrical Examiners and Appeals, which
includes electrical contractors, looked at the proposed ordinance with staff.
Lou Cutwright, Building Official/Maintenance Administrator, reviewed the change to state
licensing for Plumbing, HVAC and Electrical professionals. House File 908 relating to and
regulating plumbers and mechanical professionals in the State of Iowa was passed in 2006 and
becomes effective July 1, 2009. Section 17.104C prohibits charging any fees to those practicing
plumbing and HVAC in the state of Iowa after July 1, 2009. The city's plumbing licenses
expires December 31, 2008 and the HVAC licenses expires April 30, 2009. The proposed
ordinance will extend the expiration date for plumbing and HVAC licenses to June 30, 2009.
The Building Department annually budgets around $30,000.00 every two years based on the fees
for plumbing and HVAC licenses. Mr. Cutwright is proposing a rate increase to go into effect
January 1, 2009. The plumbing and HVAC permit fees have not increased in five years.
Increasing the cost per unit of the different items in each disciple will better reflect the cost of
inspections. Mr. Cutwright reviewed the proposed schedule for electrical inspection fees. The
city will continue these inspections until 2012. The proposed fees will be placed on the
December 15, 2008 council agenda. Mayor Hurley asked that Mr. Cutwright provide a
comparison of what surrounding cities charge for the fees.
Lou Cutwright, Building Official/Maintenance Administrator, reviewed agreements with the
City of Raymond to provide Building Inspection & Code Enforcement and Electrical Licensing
and Inspections. The agreement will provide a revenue stream of approximately $5,000.00 to
$6,000.00 per year with no additional cost to the. city. The City of Raymond writes less than
fifty permits per year. The contract will be based on a per hour fee. Mr. Cutwright explained
that he has staff who will do the inspections and attend meetings if necessary, as he will be the
administrator. Councilperson Getty stated he thought the city's inspectors were already busy
with LaPorte City and Black Hawk County because he has heard when a contractors calls it takes
24 hours for the inspection. Mr. Cutwright stated if the contractor calls before noon, the
Council Work Session
December 8, 2008
Page 2
inspection is done that same day. Councilperson Getty stated he is opposed to the agreements as
he feels we don't have enough time to take care ofWaterloo. Mayor Hurley stated his interest is
the impact on Mr. Cutwright's time.
With no further business before the council, it was moved by Cole, seconded by Steve Schmitt
that the meeting be adjourned at 5:26 p.m. Ayes: Six. Absent: Greenwood. Motion carried.
Nancy Eckert
City Clerk
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