Approved Minutes — original pdf

Approved Minutes

Building and Fire Code Board of Appeals Board Meeting Approved Minutes March 24, 2021 The Building and Fire Code Board of Appeals met in a Regular Called Meeting on March 24, 2021 via Web Ex Video Conference Chairman, Schumann called the meeting to order at 1:45 p.m. Board Members in Attendance: Ben Abzug, Aubrey Brasfield, Peter Sybesma, Ashley Juraska, Tim Arndt, Alan Schumann and Ron Buys Board Members Not in Attendance: Marco Fiorilo, Alicia Jones, Bobby Johns, and James Wilsford. Staff in Attendance: Rick Arzola (DSD), Beth Culver (DSD), Rick Holloway(DSD), Mitchell Tolbert (DSD), Kelly Stilwell (DSD), Todd Wilcox(DSD), Adam Smith(DSD) Moses Rodriguez (ACD), Kecia Lara (ACD), Dedric Knox(ACD) Jennifer Verhulst (DSD), Tony Hernandez (DSD), Kalissa Tozzi(DSD), Ben Flick (AFD), Elaine Garrett (ACD), Daniel Word (ACD) and Jameson Courtney (WPD) 1. APPROVAL OF MINUTES: The February 24, 2021 minutes were approved as written by Board member Brasfield and second by board member Schumann. Motion passed 7-0. No Modifications. 2. OPENING REMARKS- DSD Building Official Beth Culver opened up the meeting with remarks that DSD had completed the stakeholder meetings on March 14 that covered 2021 IBC-IEBC and IRC building codes. In those meetings, staff were hearing many complaints that there were too many amendments were making construction challenging and costly. And in hearing from City Council, they wanted permitting to be easier and affordable. Therefore eliminating many amendments as they could to provide and protect health, safety and welfare of our citizens. 3. DISCUSSION -2021 CODES A. International Property Maintenance Code- Austin Code official Kecia Lara provided code compliance overview of the International Property Maintenance Code. In the presentation, Code Compliance staff presented that they will meet with the Building and Fire Board to review the draft of the proposed amendments, continue stakeholder meetings and recommend changes to the Building Standard Commission (BSC) for their feedback and or approval before making final presentation to Council. Some of the major changes to the IPMC included:  108.1.3- Structure unsafe for Human Occupancy  504.3 Plumbing System Hazards  505.4 Water Heating Facilities  602.2 Residential Occupancies  604.3 Electrical System Hazards B. Wildland Urban Interface- In his update, Ben Flick with the Austin Fire Dept. told the board that AFD are finalizing draft amendments and will present the WUI and IFC back to the board for an April meeting. In is update, there were no significant updates in the amendments with the exception of Chapter 5-construction requirements which is based on the proximity of the Wildland Urban areas, as well as vegetation requirements. The IFC is in stakeholder discussion as well and will be back to the board in April for more discussion and a vote. The most significant changes in the fire code are primarily hazardous materials sections and energy storage systems. Board member Sybesma did address the question if maintenance adjacent to wildland areas, staff feels that they will be able to adopt and enforce those provisions with their inspection group. 4. DISCUSSION AND ACTION-2021 CODES A. International Building Code and Intl. Existing Building Code- Building Official Beth Culver did a presentation of the IBC and IEBC. In that presentation, Staff goals were to minimize the number of amendments and return as much as possible back to publish code. More than 50% of the amendments were reduced from the 2015 adoption process and those reasons were council initiated, business needs-Chapter 1, options for public with exempt from permitting, clarification and ISO ratings. Staff is requesting that the board take action on the 2021 IBC-IEBC and staff anticipates to bring these code amendments to council in June for an implementation date of September 1st for adoption. Board Member Brasfield made a motion to recommend the 2021 International Building Code and International Existing Building Code ordinance amendments to Council. Chairman Schumann seconded the motion. Motion unanimously pass 7-0 B. International Residential Code- Chief Building Inspector Kelly Stilwell presented the IRC to the board. Board member Brasfield made a motion to recommend the 2021 International Residential Building Code ordinance amendments to Council. Board member Buys seconded the motion. Board member Sybesma abstain. Motion pass 6-0-1 5. FUTURE AGEND ITEMS- a. Recommendation and Action- IFC b. Recommendation and Action- WUI c. Recommendation and Action- IECC d. Discussion from Code on the Repeat Offender Program- Board member Arndt. 6. ADJOURN – Without objection, Chair Schumann adjourned the meeting at 3:34pm.