Approved Minutes — original pdf

Approved Minutes

BOARD MEETING June 25, 2024 Mechanical and Plumbing Board APPROVED MINUTES The Mechanical and Plumbing Board convened in a Regular Called Meeting on June 25, 2024. The meeting took place at the Permitting Development Center at 6310 Wilhelmina Delco Drive. Chairman Thornton, called the Meeting to order at 9:32 a.m. Board Members in Attendance: Robert Thornton, Bill Harris, Joe Cooper, Stephen Cox, Bobbi Jo Foster, Kyle Smith and Ramon Perez Absent members: Blaine Butler and Joe Bowie Staff Members in Attendance: Tim Taylor (DSD), Charlie Ablanedo (DSD), Chad Watson (DSD), Todd Wilcox (DSD) Robert Stefani (AWU), Kevin Kluge (AWU) Eric Reynolds (AWU), Kevin Critendon(AWU) and Heather Cooke (AWU) GENERAL CITIZEN COMMUNICATION- John Mata from the International Association of Mechanical and Plumbing Association (IAPMO) was on hand to listen in and weigh in his support of the recommendation of the 2024 Uniform Mechanical and Uniform Plumbing Code. APPROVAL OF MINUTES: 1.The minutes from the February 27, 2024 meeting was approved as written. Board member Cooper made a motion to approve the minutes, Board member Smith second the motion. Motion passed 7-0. Board members Bowie and Butler were absent. DISCUSSION ITMES 2. Austin Water-Laundry to Landscape- Austin Water Kevin Kluge recapped on 3 local amendments that are being proposed to save water as part of the 2018 Water forward plan in strategy of the landscape transformation for new homes, which includes pressure reduction devices on new irrigation systems, limit irrigation areas and required laundry to landscape ready plumbing in new homes after January 2025. Laundry to landscape would be a requirement for new homes with laundry connections only adjacent to an exterior wall. These inspections would be enforced by DSD plumbing inspections and would not apply to homes built in the Edwards Aquifer recharge zone. Exterior systems which distribute water to the plants and trees, would be voluntary for homeowners and a permit would be required. Austin water will provide education and incentives for this. No impact on affordability. In the past board meeting, there were concerns regarding venting of the plumbing specifications and how to ensure that homeowners install this correctly. In coordination with International Association of Mechanical and Plumbing Code Officials and John Mata of IAPMO, design was approved to vent through the roof as means of alternative venting system. In terms of the education, a required placard would be placed on the 3-way valve providing homeowners that they are equipped with a laundry to landscape system and how to install it correctly. In addition, Austin Water is proposing for first year, expanded incentive programs that pay for 100% materials up to $300.00 and up to $300.00 for installation costs from a licensed irrigator.  DISCUSSION AND ACTION 3. Approve a recommendation for the 2024 Uniform Mechanical Code- Board member Harris has made a recommendation to approve the 2024 Uniform Mechanical Code. Board member Cooper second the motion. Motion passed unanimously 7-0. DISCUSSION AND ACTION 4. Approve a recommendation for the 2024 Uniform Plumbing Code- Board member Cooper made a motion to approve the 2024 Uniform Plumbing Code. Board member Harris second the motion. Motion passed unanimously 7-0. DISCUSSION AND ACTION 5. Conduct Officer elections- Chair and Vice Chair. Board member Cox made a motion to nominate Robert Thornton as Chair. Board member Cooper second the motion. Motion passed 7-0. Robert Thornton serving his second term as Chair. Board member Cooper made a motion to nominate Stephen Cox as V. Chair. Board member Perez, second the motion. Motion passed 7-0. Stephen Cox serving his first term as V. Chair. FUTURE AGENDA ITEMS 1. To hear presentation of Austin Energy’s International Energy Conservation Code ADJOURN – Board member Smith made a motion to adjourn the meeting at 10:06 am, board member Cooper second the motion. Motion pass 7-0 The minutes were approved at the July 23,2024 meeting on board member Cooper motion, Board member Bowie second the vote. Board member Foster and Smith were absent. Motion passed 7-0. .