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Building and Fire Code Board of Appeals Homepage
Agenda — original pdf
Building and Fire Board of Appeals Regular Called Meeting August 25, 2021 Building and Fire Board to be held August 25, 2021 at 1:30 PM with Social Distancing Modifications in a Regular Called Meeting Public comment will be allowed via telephone; no in-person input will be allowed. All speakers must register in advance (August 24 by noon). All public comment will occur at the beginning of the meeting. To speak remotely at the Building and Fire Board Meeting, residents must: •Call or email the board liaison at 512-550-5836 or at rick.arzola@austintexas.gov no later than noon, (the day before the meeting). The information required is the speaker name, item number(s) they wish to speak on, whether they are for/against/neutral, and a telephone number or email address. •Once a request to speak has been called in or emailed to the board liaison, residents will receive either an email or phone call providing the telephone number to call on the day of the scheduled meeting. •Speakers must call in at least 15 minutes prior to meeting start in order to speak, late callers will not be accepted and will not be able to speak. •Speakers will be placed in a queue until their time to speak. •Handouts or other information may be emailed to rick.arzola@austintexas.gov by Noon the day before the scheduled meeting. This information will be provided to Board and Commission members in advance of the meeting. •If this meeting is broadcast live, residents may watch the meeting here: http://www.austintexas.gov/page/watch- atxn-live Junta de Apelaciones de Edificios y Bomberos Reunión ordinaria 25 de agosto de 2021 El edificio y la junta contra incendios se llevará a cabo el 25 de agosto de 2021 a la 1:30 p.m. con modificaciones de distanciamiento social en una reunión ordinaria. Se permitirán comentarios públicos por teléfono; no se permitirá ninguna entrada en persona. Todos los oradores deben registrarse con anticipación (24 de agosto al mediodía). Todos los comentarios públicos se producirán al comienzo de la reunión. Para hablar de forma remota en la reunión del edificio y la junta de bomberos, los residentes deben: • Llame o envíe un correo electrónico al enlace de la junta al 512-550-5836 o al rick.arzola@austintexas.gov a más tardar al mediodía (el día antes de la reunión). La información requerida es el nombre del orador, los números de artículo sobre los que desean hablar, si están a favor / en contra / …
Contractor Registration Program — original pdf
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 …
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Agenda — original pdf
Building and Fire Board of Appeals Regular Called Meeting July 28, 2021 Building and Fire Board to be held July 28, 2021 at 1:30 PM with Social Distancing Modifications in a Regular Called Meeting Public comment will be allowed via telephone; no in-person input will be allowed. All speakers must register in advance (July 27 by noon). All public comment will occur at the beginning of the meeting. To speak remotely at the Building and Fire Board Meeting, residents must: •Call or email the board liaison at 512-550-5836 or at rick.arzola@austintexas.gov no later than noon, (the day before the meeting). The information required is the speaker name, item number(s) they wish to speak on, whether they are for/against/neutral, and a telephone number or email address. •Once a request to speak has been called in or emailed to the board liaison, residents will receive either an email or phone call providing the telephone number to call on the day of the scheduled meeting. •Speakers must call in at least 15 minutes prior to meeting start in order to speak, late callers will not be accepted and will not be able to speak. •Speakers will be placed in a queue until their time to speak. •Handouts or other information may be emailed to rick.arzola@austintexas.gov by Noon the day before the scheduled meeting. This information will be provided to Board and Commission members in advance of the meeting. •If this meeting is broadcast live, residents may watch the meeting here: http://www.austintexas.gov/page/watch- atxn-live Junta de Apelaciones de Edificios y Bomberos Reunión ordinaria 28 de Julio de 2021 El edificio y la junta contra incendios se llevará a cabo el 28 de julio de 2021 a la 1:30 p.m. con modificaciones de distanciamiento social en una reunión ordinaria. Se permitirán comentarios públicos por teléfono; no se permitirá ninguna entrada en persona. Todos los oradores deben registrarse con anticipación (27 de julio al mediodía). Todos los comentarios públicos se producirán al comienzo de la reunión. Para hablar de forma remota en la reunión del edificio y la junta de bomberos, los residentes deben: • Llame o envíe un correo electrónico al enlace de la junta al 512-550-5836 o al rick.arzola@austintexas.gov a más tardar al mediodía (el día antes de la reunión). La información requerida es el nombre del orador, los números de artículo sobre los que desean hablar, si están a favor / en contra / …
Start time to 2:00 — original pdf
Building and Fire Board of Appeals Regular Called Meeting July 28, 2021 Building and Fire Board to be held July 28, 2021 at 2:00 PM with Social Distancing Modifications in a Regular Called Meeting Public comment will be allowed via telephone; no in-person input will be allowed. All speakers must register in advance (July 27 by noon). All public comment will occur at the beginning of the meeting. To speak remotely at the Building and Fire Board Meeting, residents must: •Call or email the board liaison at 512-550-5836 or at rick.arzola@austintexas.gov no later than noon, (the day before the meeting). The information required is the speaker name, item number(s) they wish to speak on, whether they are for/against/neutral, and a telephone number or email address. •Once a request to speak has been called in or emailed to the board liaison, residents will receive either an email or phone call providing the telephone number to call on the day of the scheduled meeting. •Speakers must call in at least 15 minutes prior to meeting start in order to speak, late callers will not be accepted and will not be able to speak. •Speakers will be placed in a queue until their time to speak. •Handouts or other information may be emailed to rick.arzola@austintexas.gov by Noon the day before the scheduled meeting. This information will be provided to Board and Commission members in advance of the meeting. •If this meeting is broadcast live, residents may watch the meeting here: http://www.austintexas.gov/page/watch- atxn-live Junta de Apelaciones de Edificios y Bomberos Reunión ordinaria 28 de Julio de 2021 El edificio y la junta contra incendios se llevará a cabo el 28 de julio de 2021 a la 2:00 p.m. con modificaciones de distanciamiento social en una reunión ordinaria. Se permitirán comentarios públicos por teléfono; no se permitirá ninguna entrada en persona. Todos los oradores deben registrarse con anticipación (27 de julio al mediodía). Todos los comentarios públicos se producirán al comienzo de la reunión. Para hablar de forma remota en la reunión del edificio y la junta de bomberos, los residentes deben: • Llame o envíe un correo electrónico al enlace de la junta al 512-550-5836 o al rick.arzola@austintexas.gov a más tardar al mediodía (el día antes de la reunión). La información requerida es el nombre del orador, los números de artículo sobre los que desean hablar, si están a favor / en contra / …
DSD Presentation Stakeholder Engagement — original pdf
Contractor Registration Program Beth Culver, AIA, CBO, PMP Assistant Director, Building Official July 28, 2021 Building a Better and Safer Austin Together AGENDA • Welcome & Introductions • Historical Overview of Contractor Registration Program • Expired Permits Data • Examples of Registration Programs • Stakeholder Engagement Plan • Questions Building a Better and Safer Austin Together 2 AGENDA • Welcome & Introductions • Historical Overview of Contractor Registration Program • Expired Permits Data • Examples of Registration Programs • Stakeholder Engagement Plan • Questions Building a Better Austin Together 3 Historical Overview of Contractor Registration Program Recommendation 12 Create a residential contractor registration program. To ensure contractors are held accountable for all permits they have pulled – not only expired permits, IGI recommends developing a residential contractor licensing program. The license would require the payment of an annual fee and include an annual “performance review” of expired permits. If desired, DSD could also require all contractors doing work in Austin to have a background check and provide proof of insurance. Both San Antonio and Dallas stop contractors from pulling permits if contractors fail to comply with permit and inspection requirements. Building a Better and Safer Austin Together 4 Historical Overview of Contractor Registration Program Demolition Licensing and Bonding Requirements (page 8) During the stakeholder engagement process, both internal and external stakeholders expressed support for adopting a registration program for building and demolition contractors. While the focus of Council’s resolution was primarily demolitions, there are equally compelling reasons for requiring contractor registration for new construction as well. Building a Better and Safer Austin Together 5 Historical Overview of Contractor Registration Program Resolution No. 20201001-011 City Council initiates amendments to City Code Title 25 (Land Development) to establish a contractor registration program for building and demolition permitting consistent with the direction in this Resolution. c) metrics for determining whether the program promotes equitable outcomes and does not create a disproportionately negative impact on small businesses, women-owned businesses, or minority-owned businesses; d) incentives or process advantages for contractors who remain in good standing with the registration program, such as a streamlined application review process; f) exemptions from mandatory registration for individuals in a manner that considers equity and acknowledges the affordability pressures on both homeowners and tenants and on residents of both single-and multi-family structures. Building a Better and Safer Austin Together 6 AGENDA • Welcome & Introductions • Historical Overview of Contractor …
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Approved Minutes — original pdf
Building and Fire Code Board of Appeals Board Meeting Approved Minutes The Building and Fire Code Board of Appeals met in a Regular Called Meeting on July 28, 2021 via Web Ex Video Conference Board Member, Brasfield called the meeting to order at 2:21 p.m. Board Members in Attendance: Ashley Juraska, Tim Arndt, Bobby Johns, Ben Abzug, Aubrey Brasfield and Ron Buys Board Members Not in Attendance: Marco Fiorilo and Alan Schumann Staff in Attendance: Rick Arzola (DSD), Beth Culver (DSD), Jaime Castillo (DSD) July 28, 2021 1. APPROVAL OF MINUTES: The minutes from the June 23, 2021 Regular Called meeting were postponed to the next board meeting as board members did not have chance to review it. Next meeting is tentatively scheduled for August 25, 2021 2. DISCUSSION- Development Presentation of Contractor Registration Program – Assistant Director and Building Official of Development Service Department Beth Culver, provided a presentation to Board members and interested parties of the Flat Top Fence workgroup, contractor registration program. In her presentation, Beth outlined Historical overview of the registration program, data of expired permits, examples of registration programs and Stakeholder Engagement plan. In the Historical overview, Beth’s goal is to hold contractors accountable for all permits issued to trade contractors as well as to general contractors who register with the city and to develop with other municipalities, a registration program for building and demolition contractors that is supported by internal and external stakeholders and then followed by initiating a resolution to incorporate amendments in establishing a registration program that is consistent with building and demolition work for all contractors pulling permits with the City of Austin. This registration program this will provide enforcement on staff to go after contractors that have extensive expired permits and hold them accountable for unfinished and paid work to homeowners and businesses. Examples of these current programs that DSD oversee is what the Electrical board has in their registration. Offenses against electrical contractors who violate the registration of work performed at the site with suspension of their registration if the contractor has 3 or more violations in a 12 month period. Volume Builder program, penalizes volume builders who commit errors for their continuous submitted work and other municipalities programs with their registration programs that the City of Austin is looking at to possible emulate into their registrations. The final piece of this is to conduct Stakeholder Engagement plan. A …
Agenda — original pdf
Building and Fire Board of Appeals Regular Called Meeting June 23, 2021 Building and Fire Board to be held June 23, 2021 at 1:30 PM with Social Distancing Modifications in a Regular Called Meeting Public comment will be allowed via telephone; no in-person input will be allowed. All speakers must register in advance (June 22 by noon). All public comment will occur at the beginning of the meeting. To speak remotely at the Building and Fire Board Meeting, residents must: •Call or email the board liaison at 512-550-5836 or at rick.arzola@austintexas.gov no later than noon, (the day before the meeting). The information required is the speaker name, item number(s) they wish to speak on, whether they are for/against/neutral, and a telephone number or email address. •Once a request to speak has been called in or emailed to the board liaison, residents will receive either an email or phone call providing the telephone number to call on the day of the scheduled meeting. •Speakers must call in at least 15 minutes prior to meeting start in order to speak, late callers will not be accepted and will not be able to speak. •Speakers will be placed in a queue until their time to speak. •Handouts or other information may be emailed to rick.arzola@austintexas.gov by Noon the day before the scheduled meeting. This information will be provided to Board and Commission members in advance of the meeting. •If this meeting is broadcast live, residents may watch the meeting here: http://www.austintexas.gov/page/watch- atxn-live Junta de Apelaciones de Edificios y Bomberos Reunión ordinaria 23 de Juno de 2021 El edificio y la junta contra incendios se llevará a cabo el 23 de juno de 2021 a la 1:30 p.m. con modificaciones de distanciamiento social en una reunión ordinaria. Se permitirán comentarios públicos por teléfono; no se permitirá ninguna entrada en persona. Todos los oradores deben registrarse con anticipación (22 de juno al mediodía). Todos los comentarios públicos se producirán al comienzo de la reunión. Para hablar de forma remota en la reunión del edificio y la junta de bomberos, los residentes deben: • Llame o envíe un correo electrónico al enlace de la junta al 512-550-5836 o al rick.arzola@austintexas.gov a más tardar al mediodía (el día antes de la reunión). La información requerida es el nombre del orador, los números de artículo sobre los que desean hablar, si están a favor / en contra / …
Backup — original pdf
Item #2: Resolution, On Creating additional safety requirements for dangerous fence design WHEREAS, the Austin City Council adopted section 9-4-41 Restriction on use of barbed wire fence in 1992 (source:1992 code section 10-1-9;ord. 031023-13; ord. 031211-11) recognizing the dangers of such fence, other fence designs have been identified as equally dangerous to also include loss of life; and WHEREAS, it is recognized that other existing fence requirements are intended to isolate a hazard such as 25-2-899 (E) (2) and the swimming pool code with no consideration for the potential dangers of the fence itself; and WHEREAS, the primary concern being entrapment and impalement of children who by nature are climbers, citizens performing roof and gutter maintenance, and animals that jump over fences; and WHEREAS, neighborhood councils across the U.S have recognized the dangers and cost of spiked pickets, spiked bars and other spiked decorative elements that protrude above the top horizontal bar of a fence. People, pets, and wildlife have been killed or seriously injured; and WHEREAS, affordability is a high priority for the Austin community; and WHEREAS, alternative styles of flat top fences are already manufactured and available to purchase at equivalent cost; and WHEREAS, according to Chapter 2-1-3 of the city code, it is the duty of the Board to “Advise the city council regarding appropriate City Code amendments that create a safe environment for all citizens in the City of Austin.” NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED BY THE BUILDING AND FIRE CODE BOARD OF APPEALS: The Board of Appeals recommends the Austin City Council direct the City Manager to initiate a code amendment process, with full stakeholder involvement, to consider an amendment to 25- 12 Technical Codes for the City of Austin to address dangerous fence design including spiked pickets, spiked bars and other spiked decorative elements that protrude above the top horizontal bar of a fence; and BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED: Life cycle costs should be taken into consideration, utilizing data from all reputable sources; and BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED: The code amendment should not apply to fences over 6 ft. in height and should apply to new fences and should consider applying the code amendment to substantial fence repairs.
Lakeway Ordinance — original pdf
Backup
Rollingwood Ordinance — original pdf
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Presentation of Flat Top Fences — original pdf
Flat Top Fence Resolution Building and Fire Code Board of Appeals Meeting - 6/23/2021 Kade Damien Kade passed We can honor Kade By passing this resolution one month shy of his third birthday when his head became trapped between two bars on an iron fence. and prevent other kids, animals, and adults from becoming harmed. we can encourage council to start the code amendment process to help ensure safe fencing for everyone. What is this resolution doing? 01 02 03 Asking Council Stakeholders Actual Code Language to start a code amendment process would be involved in the code amendment process would be finalized later Flat-top fences are available: 01 At equivalent cost 03 Without the safety risk 02 With security features 04 Today Flat top fences don't cost additional money compared to decorative fencing. Picketed and spiked fencing is often decorative to begin with; security can still exist with a flat top. Impalement and entrapment risks are diminished when spikes are removed and slats are appropriately spaced. These fences are already on the market. DIY Examples Daycare DIY Shopping Center Before (top) and after (bottom) Before (left) and after (right) This would not apply to: Existing fences Fences over 6 feet Only new fences, or possibly fences that are being repaired Only fences six feet and under, with the goal to cover fences most at risk of harming children and animals Questions?
20210623-2: Safety requirements for dangerous fence design — original pdf
BOARD/COMMISSION RECOMMENDATIONS BOARD / COMMISSION RECOMMENDATION Building and Fire Code Board of Appeals Recommendation Number: (20210623-2) Safety requirements for dangerous fence design WHEREAS, the Austin City Council adopted section 9-4-41 Restriction on use of barbed wire fence in 1992 (Source: 1992 code section 10-1-9: ord. 031023-13; ord. 031211-11) recognizing the dangers of such fence, other fence designs have been identified as equally dangerous to also include loss of life; and WHEREAS, it is recognized that other existing fence requirements are intended to isolate a hazard such as 25-2-899 (E) (2) and the swimming pool code with no consideration for the potential dangers of the fence itself; and WHEREAS, the primary concern being entrapment and impalement of children who by nature are climbers, citizens performing roof and gutter maintenance, and animals that jump over fences; and WHEREAS, neighborhood councils across the U.S have recognized the dangers and cost of spiked pickets, spiked bars and other spiked decorative elements and protrude above the top horizontal bar of a fence. People, pets and wildlife have been killed or seriously injured; and WHEREAS, affordability is a high priority for the Austin Community; and WHEREAS, alternative styles of flat top fences are already manufactured and available to purchase at equivalent cost; and WHEREAS, according to Chapter 2-1-3 of the city code, it is the duty of the Board to “Advise the City Council regarding appropriate City Council amendments that create a safe environment for all citizens in the City of Austin.” NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED BY THE BUILDING AND FIRE CODE BOARD OF APPEALS: The Board recommends the Austin City Council direct the City Manager to initiate a code amendment process, with full stakeholder involvement, to consider an amendment to 25-12 Technical Codes for the City of Austin to address dangerous fence design including spiked pickets, spiked bars and other spiked decorative elements that protrude above the top horizontal bar of a fence; and BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED: Life cycle costs should be taken in consideration, utilizing data from all reputable sources; and BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED: The Board recommends that the code amendments apply to fences six feet or less, new fences and substantial fence repairs. Note: After several meetings discussing this subject, with input from interested parties, staff and Board members, the Board noted this issue does not appear to be adequately addressed by current codes and ordinances. Date of Approval: 6/23/2021 …
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Approved Minutes — original pdf
Building and Fire Code Board of Appeals Board Meeting Approved Minutes The Building and Fire Code Board of Appeals met in a Regular Called Meeting on June 23, 2021 via Web Ex Video Conference Board Member, Schumann called the meeting to order at 1:43 p.m. Board Members in Attendance: Ashley Juraska, Tim Arndt, Alan Schumann, Ben Abzug, Aubrey Brasfield and Ron Buys Board Members Not in Attendance: Marco Fiorilo and Bobby Johns Staff in Attendance: Rick Arzola (DSD), Eric Zimmerman (DSD), Tony Hernandez (DSD), Kelly Stilwell (DSD), Todd Wilcox (DSD) June 23 2021 1. APPROVAL OF MINUTES: The minutes from the May 23, 2021 Regular Called meeting were approved as written. Board member Juraska made a motion to accept the minutes as written and board member Arndt second the motion with modifications. The modifications were corrected as requested and are now reflective on the May 26 approved minutes. Motion passed 6-0. 2. DISCUSSION AND ACTION FOR RECOMMENDATION FOR RESOLUTION –Flat Top Fences- In a brief presentation, board member Ashley Juraska addressed the board and staff on the work group’s discussion of Flat Top Fences. In hopes of this resolution passing today, it will begin the process of code amendment process, stakeholder meetings and develop a code language. Today, flat top fences are available at an affordable price with security features, such as being flat top and diminished impalement and entrapment features. This would not apply to existing fences and fences over 6ft. All were reminded that this proposed resolution was an inspiration on the death of Kade Damien and with hopes of passing this resolution, council would be ensure safe fencing for everyone. After the presentation ended, discussion between board and staff on the correct procedure on how to path the resolution onto council agenda for approval. After this discussion ended, board member Juraska made a motion to recommend the resolution, Chairman Schumann seconded the motion. Motion pass 6-0 3. FUTURE AGEND ITEMS- No Future Agenda Items were discussed. 4. ADJOURN – Without objection, Chairman Schumann adjourned the meeting at 2:22 pm.
Agenda — original pdf
Building and Fire Board of Appeals Regular Called Meeting May 26, 2021 Building and Fire Board to be held May 26, 2021 at 1:30 PM with Social Distancing Modifications in a Regular Called Meeting Public comment will be allowed via telephone; no in-person input will be allowed. All speakers must register in advance (May 25 by noon). All public comment will occur at the beginning of the meeting. To speak remotely at the Building and Fire Board Meeting, residents must: •Call or email the board liaison at 512-550-5836 or at rick.arzola@austintexas.gov no later than noon, (the day before the meeting). The information required is the speaker name, item number(s) they wish to speak on, whether they are for/against/neutral, and a telephone number or email address. •Once a request to speak has been called in or emailed to the board liaison, residents will receive either an email or phone call providing the telephone number to call on the day of the scheduled meeting. •Speakers must call in at least 15 minutes prior to meeting start in order to speak, late callers will not be accepted and will not be able to speak. •Speakers will be placed in a queue until their time to speak. •Handouts or other information may be emailed to rick.arzola@austintexas.gov by Noon the day before the scheduled meeting. This information will be provided to Board and Commission members in advance of the meeting. •If this meeting is broadcast live, residents may watch the meeting here: http://www.austintexas.gov/page/watch- atxn-live Junta de Apelaciones de Edificios y Bomberos Reunión ordinaria 26 de Mayo de 2021 El edificio y la junta contra incendios se llevará a cabo el 26 de mayo de 2021 a la 1:30 p.m. con modificaciones de distanciamiento social en una reunión ordinaria. Se permitirán comentarios públicos por teléfono; no se permitirá ninguna entrada en persona. Todos los oradores deben registrarse con anticipación (25 de mayo al mediodía). Todos los comentarios públicos se producirán al comienzo de la reunión. Para hablar de forma remota en la reunión del edificio y la junta de bomberos, los residentes deben: • Llame o envíe un correo electrónico al enlace de la junta al 512-550-5836 o al rick.arzola@austintexas.gov a más tardar al mediodía (el día antes de la reunión). La información requerida es el nombre del orador, los números de artículo sobre los que desean hablar, si están a favor / en contra / …
IECC Board Presentation — original pdf
Mechanical & Plumbing Board and Building & Fire Code Board of Appeals 2021 Energy Code Review Kurt Stogdill Manager, Green Building and Sustainability . 5/25/2021 & 5/26/2021 © 2020 Austin Energy Agenda Notable developments Significant 2021 IECC Changes • • • • • • Stakeholder Input Code Impacts Affordability Next Steps 2 2021 IECC- Notable Developments IECC- • Estimate 8-10% increase in energy efficiency over existing code • Electric Vehicle (EV) Ready and Electrification were struck during appeals Local- • No new local amendments, will carry over relevant 2015 amendments • Will carry forward Solar Ready • Removed requirement for natural gas water heating for residential construction • Look to progress EV Ready and Electrification through means other than IECC 3 Significant 2021 Residential IECC Changes 4 2021 IECC Changes • 57.7% Administrative • 17.1% Decreased Energy • 12.2% Minimal Energy Impact • 10.6% Not Applicable to ATX • 2.4% Increase Energy Consumption Published 2021 IECC can be accessed for free at: codes.iccsafe.org/content/IECC2021P1/iecc- residential-provisions 5 Insulation • Increased ceiling R-value from R-38 to R-49 • Moved footnote regarding attic roofline insulation options to prescriptive table • local amendment • Provided new option for wall outsulation • Continuous insulation for uninterrupted thermal barrier 6 Lighting Changes • Interior lighting – all permanently installed lighting fixtures to have high efficacy lighting sources • Exterior lighting for low-rise multifamily to comply with commercial energy code • Lighting controls to be installed – interior and exterior 7 Mechanical Systems Changes • Alternative compliance calculation for small dwellings, multifamily and • Blower Door single family • Duct leakage • New standards and better guidance for testing and inspecting ducts • Mechanical Ventilation • Mechanical ventilation testing • • Mech system piping insulation = MANDATORY Changes to efficacies (airflow/wattage of equipment) for exhaust fans 8 Other Paths of Compliance Performance Path Updates to baseline • • • • Added Dehumidstats Update to water heating • Credit for good design Update to mechanical ventilation • • • ERI Path Updated backstop (limits trade- offs to envelope requirements) to ERI (Energy Rating Index) path Renewables – added 5% cap for compliance Lowered ERI targets for compliance- lower is “better” • ATX to stay at 59 9 Additional Efficiency Option Packages Prescriptive OPTION 1: Enhanced envelope performance option • 5% better envelope performance Performance Pick one option from prescriptive list • ERI • Achieve 5% better on Energy Rating …
Repeat Offender Program — original pdf
City of Austin Office of the City Auditor Audit Report October 2020 Austin Code Department Repeat Offender Program Austin’s Repeat Offender Program, as currently administered, does not ensure renters are living in properties that meet minimum health and safety standards. The program, though well-intended, is not meeting this goal in part because rental property owners have not been regulated or incentivized to correct Code violations. Beyond that, the process used to identify properties for program registration is inefficient and does not always result in all eligible properties becoming part of the Repeat Offender Program when they should. Furthermore, large properties do not pay their proportionate share of the costs to administer the program, which may lead to small properties and the public paying a disproportionate share of the costs to manage the Repeat Offender Program. Ultimately, many of the challenges Austin faces in administering its Repeat Offender Program result from a competitive rental market with limited housing options. These pressures exacerbate the risk of housing displacement particularly for low-income and vulnerable populations that frequently live in repeat offender properties. Contents Objective and Background What We Found Recommendations and Management Response Scope and Methodology 2 4 11 15 Cover: Photo provided by Austin Code Department, October 2020. Objective Does the City’s Repeat Offender Program help ensure rental property owners are addressing health and safety concerns? Background Austin’s Repeat Offender Program, a rental registration program for properties with multiple code violations, aims to ensure Austin renters are living in properties that are healthy and safe. It was created in 2013, partially in response to structural failures that endangered public health and safety in multifamily residences. To ensure the City can take enforcement action against properties that do not maintain safe and healthy rental properties, it is essential to identify properties that have received violations that meet the criteria for program registration. If a person complains about conditions at a rental property, Austin Code investigates that complaint and if it is verified, the Department sends a Notice of Violation to the property owner. Generally, properties are required to register with the Repeat Offender Program when one of the following criteria is met during a 24-month period. X X XX Two or more separate notices of violation not corrected. Five or more separate notices of violation issued on separate days regardless of whether they were corrected. Two or more Municipal Court citations. To register …