Mechanical and Plumbing BoardJan. 23, 2024

Approved Minutes — original pdf

Approved Minutes
Thumbnail of the first page of the PDF
Page 1 of 2 pages

BOARD MEETING January 23, 2024 Mechanical and Plumbing Board Approved MINUTES The Mechanical and Plumbing Board convened in a Regular Called Meeting on January 23, 2024. The meeting took place at the Permitting Development Center at 6310 Wilhelmina Delco Drive. Vice Chairman Thornton, called the Meeting to order at 9:36 a.m. Board Members in Attendance: Robert Thornton, Kyle Smith, Joe Cooper, Stephen Cox, Joe Bowie and Ramon Perez Absent members: Bobbi Jo Foster, Bill Harris Alex Ramires, Mark Mapes and Blaine Butler Staff Members in Attendance: Chad Watson (DSD), Charlie Ablanedo (DSD) and Tony Hernandez (DSD), Robert Stefani(AWU) GENERAL CITIZEN COMMUNICATION- There were no citizen communication that registered for this meeting APPROVAL OF MINUTES: 1.The minutes from the October 24, 2023 meeting was approved as written. Board member Cooper made a motion to approve the minutes, board member Bowie second the motion. Motion passed 6-0. Board member Foster, Butler, Ramirez, Mapes and Harris were absent. DISCUSSION ITMES 3. Uniform Plumbing and Mechanical Code Adoption – Development Service staff Tony Hernandez presented to the board the 2024 UPC and UMC local amendments to note the changes that the workgroup and staff worked on for months. Board staff had pushbacks but agreed in plumbing code 1007.3 trap seals, indicating that was a problem with sewer and gas. Staff did note that they were not allowed to ban approved materials in lieu of HB 2439. Plumbing code 1503.10.1- laundry to landscape, board members requested for this to be flagged because of the effect of affordable housing. The board staff is requesting staff from Austin Water conservation group-water forward team to be at the next meeting for discussion. In the UMC, there were not much pushback, but board staff would like to see the re- write of mechanical code 310.8-Standard for Air condition condensate recovery systems for new development in which Austin Water Utility will provide in the end. From 2015 through 2021, Development staff has eliminated 44 pages of the local amendments to go back to publish code to better serve everyone when construction is taking place. 3. Appendix L-Water Heater requirements- Development Service staff noted that appendix L is a water conservation requirement. Not mandatory to use. All water conservation water heaters are existing in the International Energy Code (IECC) 4. Water Saving Calculator- Austin Water representatives noted that the water savings calculations are a pipe size diameter reduction allowances, which would allow benefits in cost perspective through pressuring requirements. However, it is not an AWU requirement. In conclusion, Development service staff will insert Appendix M into the local amendments. FUTURE AGENDA ITEMS 1. Discussion on Laundry water to Landscape- Cox 2. Discussion and Action: Parking garage exhaust ADJOURN – Board member Cox made a motion to adjourn the meeting at 10:37 am, board member Bowie second the motion. Motion pass 6-0 The minutes were approved at the February 27, 2024 meeting on board member Cooper motion, Board member Bowie, second the vote. Board member Ramirez, Smith, Mapes and Butler and Foster were absent. Motion passed 6-0. Board member Foster joined the meeting shortly after the minutes were approved.