BUILDING AND STANDARDS COMMISSION MEETING Wednesday, April 27, 2022 at 6:30 p.m. Permitting and Development Center, Room 1406/1407 6310 Wilhelmina Delco Drive, Austin, Texas 78752 Some members of the Building and Standards Commission may be participating via videoconference. Public comment will be allowed in-person or remotely by telephone. Speakers may only register to speak on an item once either in-person or remotely and will be allowed up to three minutes to provide their comments. Registration no later than noon the day before the meeting is required for remote participation. To register, contact Melanie Alley at melanie.alley@austintexas.gov & 512-974-2679. The meeting may also be viewed online at: http://www.austintexas.gov/page/watch-atxn-live. AGENDA The Building and Standards Commission (“Commission”) may go into a closed session under Chapter 551 of the Texas Government Code to receive advice from legal counsel or for other reasons permitted by law as specifically listed on this agenda. Further, if necessary, the Commission may go into a closed session as permitted by law regarding any item on this agenda. Building and Standards Commission Members Andrea Freiburger, Chair Pablo Avila, Vice Chair Wordy Thompson John Green Edward Selig Michael Francis Joseph Benigno Thomas Vocke, Fire Marshall (Ex Officio) Timothy Stostad Elizabeth Mueller Sade Ogunbode Edgar Farerra CALL TO ORDER PUBLIC COMMUNICATION: GENERAL The first five speakers signed up prior to the meeting being called to order will each be allowed a three- minute allotment to address their concerns regarding items not posted on the agenda. APPROVAL OF MINUTES Approve amended minutes from the March 23, 2022 regular meeting and minutes of the February 11, 2022 special called meeting of the Building and Standards Commission. DISCUSSION AND POSSIBLE ACTION ITEM 1. Election of Officers for the Building and Standards Commission Page 1 PUBLIC HEARINGS Returning for Commission Action: The Commission will hear the following returning cases that concern alleged violations of the City’s Property Maintenance Code and may issue orders to vacate, relocate occupants, repair, demolish, or secure the premises, and may assess or modify a civil penalty: 2. Case Number: CL 2022-049782 Property address: 1167 Springdale Road / Owner: Willie Rean Carter Staff presenter: Alicia Tovar Previous Commission Action: Continued from February 24, 2021 Staff recommendation: Repair residential structure New Case(s): The Commission will hear the following cases concerning alleged violations of the City’s Property Maintenance Code and may issue an order to vacate, relocate occupants, repair, demolish, or secure the premises; …
Peer 1 Safe Fencing Regulations Resolution No. 20211104-039 April 27, 2022 Resolution No. 20211104-39 • Initiated code amendments to address dangerous fence design including spiked elements that protrude above the top horizontal bar of a fence • Directed the City Manager to evaluate: - Requiring fIat top styles on new fences of all lengths - Applying flat top fence requirements to all new fences of six feet tall or - Applying flat top fence requirements to substantial fence repairs or remodeling of 50% or more of an existing fence lower 2 Resolution Findings • City Code currently allows some spiked fence styles that can pose significant risk to humans and animals, including: - Entrapment and impalement of children - Workers performing roof and gutter maintenance - Pets or wildlife that jump over fences • Purpose of the meeting is to obtain commission feedback on proposed amendments 3 Options • Requiring fIat top styles on new fences of all lengths • Applying flat top fence requirements to all new fences of six feet tall or lower • Applying flat top fence requirements to substantial fence repairs or remodeling of 50% or more of an existing fence • Other considerations 4 Next Steps Once engagement concludes: • Develop recommendations based on stakeholder feedback • Move amendments forward for Board/ Commission/ Council review Internal Engagement Series: 04.26.22 DSD Divisions 04.27.22 Partner Departments 04.27.22 Building and Standards Commission 05.04.22 Historic Landmark Commission External Engagement Series: 04.25.22 – 06.05.22 05.07.22/ 05.26.22 05.10.22 / 05.16.22 5 SpeakUp Austin Platform In-Person Public Engagements Virtual Public Engagements Thank you! 6
BUILDING AND STANDARDS COMMISSION Date: April 27, 2022 REGULAR MEETING MINUTES The Building and Standards Commission (BSC) convened at the City of Austin Permit and Development Center and via video conference for a regular hybrid meeting on Wednesday, April 27, 2022. The meeting was available for viewing live at http://www.austintexas.gov/page/watch-atxn-live. Commission Members in Attendance: Chair Andrea Freiburger; Vice Chair Pablo Avila; Commissioners, Wordy Thompson, Sadé Ogunbode, Michael Francis, Joseph Benigno, Edgar Farrera, Elizabeth Mueller, Timothy Stostad, and Ex Officio Commissioner Chief Thomas Vocke. Commissioner Edward Selig and John Green were absent. Note: Vice Chair Avila and Commissioners Farrera, Mueller, and Stostad attended remotely. Staff in Attendance: Melanie Alley, Code Review Analyst/BSC Coordinator; Robert Moore, Austin Code Division Manager; Farah Presley, Inspector; José G. Roig, Director, Austin Code; Daniel Word, Assistant Director; Elaine Garrett, Assistant Director; Daniel Armstrong, Division Manager; James Adams, Supervisor; David Downing, Supervisor; Alicia Tovar, Inspector; Lauren Taggert; Inspector; Lauren Khoury, Assistant City Attorney; Tony Hernandez, Developmental Services Department (DSD); Kalissa Tozi DSD and Daniel Murphy, CTM A/V Technician. CALL TO ORDER Chair Freiburger called the Commission Meeting to order at 6:37 p.m. APPROVAL OF MINUTES A motion was made by Commissioner Francis for approval of the minutes from both the March 23, 2022 regular meeting and the February 11, 2022 special-called meeting. The motion was seconded by Commissioner Ogunbode. The motion carried on an 8-0-1 vote, Commissioner Thompson abstained. PUBLIC COMMUNICATION No one appeared for Public Communication at this meeting. DISCUSSION AND POSSIBLE ACTION ITEMS 1. Election of Officers. Chair Freiburger nominated Commissioner Ogunbode to serve in the role as Chair of the Commission and Commissioner Farrera to serve in the role as Vice-Chair. The Commissioners voted unanimously for those lone nominations, 9-0-0. Commissioners Selig and Green were absent. PUBLIC HEARINGS 1 Street Address 1167 Springdale Road Owner Willie Rean Carter Returning Case(s): Case Number(s) 2. CL 2022-049782 The property was represented at the hearing by Laura Jackson-Crockett, the owner’s daughter. Chair Freiburger admitted Staff Exhibits 3 and 4A - 4H. Commissioner Mueller moved to adopt staff’s findings of fact, conclusions of law and modify staff’s recommended order for repairs to 90 days and impose a penalty of $200 per week. Commissioner Farrera seconded the motion. A friendly amendment was added to the motion by Commissioner Benigno to reduce the penalty to $200 per month. The motion was accepted by the Commissioners Mueller and Farrera. The motion …
