Contractor Registration Program — original pdf

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Contractor Registration Program Beth Culver, AIA, CBO, PMP Assistant Director, Building Official August 25, 2021 Building a Better and Safer Austin Together RECAP: Questions Insurance & Bonding • What amount of insurance is reasonable? • What amount of bond is reasonable? Metrics & Compliance • What can we measure to demonstrate equitable outcomes? • What is an appropriate response to contractors who are unable to comply with program requirements? Exemptions & Incentives • What incentives or benefits for participation do you see possible? • What exemptions should be considered? Building a Better and Safer Austin Together 2 RECAP: Current Staff Considerations • All Building and Demolition contractors register prior to the issuance of any Identifies contractor as licensed by Texas (if applicable). Consists of contact information (including Texas license, if applicable). Registration permit(s). • • Offenses Failure to register is an offense. • • A person may not: o Allow another to use a permit in an unlawful or fraudulent manner; o Perform, or cause to be performed, work that causes injury to a person or property; o Fail or refuse to display a license or permit to perform work when requested by the o Request inspections of work that is incomplete or work that has not been properly building official; reviewed by the permit holder; o More than 5 expired permits. • Offenses reported to licensing agencies, if applicable. Building a Better and Safer Austin Together 3 RECAP: Current Staff Considerations modified • All Building and Demolition contractors register prior to the issuance of any Identifies contractor as licensed by Texas (if applicable). Consists of contact information (including Texas license, if applicable). Registration permit(s). • • Offenses Failure to register is an offense. • • A person may not: o Allow another to use a permit in an unlawful or fraudulent manner; o Perform, or cause to be performed, work that causes injury to a person or property; o Fail or refuse to display a license or permit to perform work when requested by the o Request inspections of work that is incomplete or work that has not been properly building official; reviewed by the permit holder; o More than 5 expired permits. • Offenses reported to licensing agencies, if applicable. Building a Better and Safer Austin Together 4 RECAP: Current Staff Considerations Non-compliance • Notification of offense, with 3 months to resolve • 6 month period for first-time suspension • 12 month period for all suspensions after first time Council considerations • Bonding and Insurance o Annual $10,000 bond o Certificate of Liability Insurance with the City listed as the Certificate Holder:  Public liability (bodily injury) insurance with limits not less than $300,000 for each occurrence.  Public liability (property damage) insurance with limits of not less than $100,000 for each accident and $200,000 in the aggregate.  Must also provide proof of Workers’ compensation in accordance with statutory requirements. • Metrics for equitable outcomes • Incentives/benefits for good standing o Registered & bonded by the City of Austin o Simple registration; just contact information • Exemptions o Homeowners working with Homestead Permit Building a Better and Safer Austin Together 5 RECAP: Current Staff Considerations modified Non-compliance • Notification of offense, with 3 months to resolve • 6 month period for first-time suspension • 12 month period for all suspensions after first time Council considerations • Bonding and Insurance o Annual $10,000 bond o Certificate of Liability Insurance with the City listed as the Certificate Holder:  Public liability (bodily injury) insurance with limits not less than $300,000 for each occurrence.  Public liability (property damage) insurance with limits of not less than $100,000 for each accident and $200,000 in the aggregate.  Must also provide proof of Workers’ compensation in accordance with statutory requirements. • Metrics for equitable outcomes • Incentives/benefits for good standing o Registered & bonded by the City of Austin o Simple registration; just contact information • Exemptions o Homeowners working with Homestead Permit o Easy access to Contractors in good standing Building a Better and Safer Austin Together 6 INITIAL FINDINGS • Administration Concerns - Scope Creep • Insurance is Between Contractor/Homeowner • Education About City Process(es) • Searchable Expired Permits Data • Distill Data - Disaggregate Contractor Types Building a Better and Safer Austin Together 7 KEY INFORMATION  Power Dynamics within Industry  Accountability for Existing Expired Permits Building a Better and Safer Austin Together 8 NEXT STEPS US Hispanic Contractors Association-Austin Saturday 9/25 • Home Builders Association Greater Austin • September 2021 City Council • December 2021 Virtual External Stakeholders 8/3 & 8/5 • SpeakUp Austin • August 3 - 20 Building and Fire Code Board of Appeals • Wednesday 8/25 Housing and Planning Committee • Tuesday 9/14 Code Change 2022 • Rules Posting 2022 • Building a Better and Safer Austin Together 9 QUESTIONS? Building a Better and Safer Austin Together 10