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Home My WebLink About1998/08/10 Board of Appeals & Advisors Minutes MINUTES OF A REGULAR MEETING - BOARD OF APPEALS AND ADVISORS CITY OF CHULA VISTA, CALIFORNIA August 10, 1998 Conference Room No. 1 5:15 p.m. M:=MBERS PR:=SENT: Chairman Compton, Board Members Fabrick, Harter, Gingerich, Kaya and Triplette MEMBERS ABSENT: Vice-Chairman O'Neill CITY STAFF PrESENT: Director of Planning & Building Leiter, Assistant Director/Building Official Remp and Administrative Secretary Uybungco CALL MEETING TO ORDER: Chairman Compton called the meeting to order at 5:15 p.m. ROLL CALL: Members present constituted a quorum. 1. DECLARATION OF EXCUSED/UNEXCUSED ABSENTEEISM: (Item delayed until the end of the meeting.) Chairman Compton inquired whether staff had received any communication from Vice- Chair O'Neill; staff responded that Mr. O'Neill had not contacted staff. MSUC Gingerich/Harter (6-0) to declare the absence of Vice-Chair O'Neill as unexcused. 2. APPROVAL OF MINUTES: MSUC Compton/Fabrick (6-0) to approve the minutes of June 8, 1998. 3. NEW BUSINESS: None 4. CHAIRMAN'S COMMENTS/REPORT: None Board of Appeajs & Advisors -2- August 1 D, 1998 - 5. STAFF'S COMMENTSfREPORT: A. Department Consolidation - Department of Planning & Building Members of the Board of Appeals & Advisors and Director of Planning & Building, Bob Leiter, provided self introductions. Mr. Leiter informed the Board that approximately three weeks ago, the City Manager received a letter of resignation from Ken Larsen, Director of Building and Housing, The City Manager re-evaluated the organization and directed the merger of the Planning and Building & Housing Departments. A similar merger was implemented when the Director of Parks & Recreation resigned. This merger presents opportunities to consolidate some functions, while ensuring each function remain in tact and the responsibilities are clear. Mr. Remp will remain in charge of the Building operations, making the same determinations as Mr. Larsen had in the past. Mr. Leiter will oversee the budgetary issues for the Department. Short, mid and long term issues need to be addressed by staff. Short term issues such as naming of the department, stationery, business cards, etc., will be discussed at weekly meetings and should be completed in approximately two months. Staff will then look at longer term issues. Staff will solicit suggestiòns and feedback from customers. The following areas will be the focus of the long term issues: (1) Automation - Sierra System; expanding to other departments, such as Finance; (2) Process Improvements - plan check and permit approvals; (3) Physical Layout of Building - "One Stop" Permitting; (4) Training of Staff; and, (5) Internal Communication - between development departments. Mr. Leiter informed the Board that George Krempl, Deputy City Manager, has been assigned to coordinate the developmental departments; to close some of the gaps between Planning & Building, Community Development and Engineering. Mr. Leiter stated that he was looking forward to the consolidation and receiving input from the Board Members and the community. Mr. Remp stated that last month (July 1998) was a record month with the highest level of revenues and demand of services since the late 1980's. The Department will request additional staff to meet anticipated demands. There is no slow down in sight and staff expects continued increase of development. Mr. Remp informed the Board that there has been a renewed interest in Code Eniorcement as well. The City has advertised for the position of Code Enforcement Manager to implement and enforce the Citation Authority Program. Board of Appeals & Advisors -3- August 10, 1998 - Board Member Kaya inquired about the adoption of the 1997 Model Codes. Mr. Remp replied that staff will bring the local amendments for the Board's review and approval in November/December. Plan check and inspection staff have received preliminary training on the new Uniform Building Code. Chairman Compton stated that the department merger presented great opportunities for changes to take place on streamlining of the permits process an::i for deposit accounts/credit cards acceptance. Board Member Gingerich inquired whether the City will be adopting the Uniform Plumbing Code (UPC) or the International Plumbing Code (lPG). Mr. Remp stated that the UPC will be adopted; however, after the three-year cycle, the City will move toward the IPC. Board Member Harter stated that the IPC leaves a lot to be desired. Mr. Harter commented that IAPMO has people doing the work involved in the code process; the IPC is written by engineers. Mr. Remp acknowledged Mr. Gingerich and Mr. Harter's comments. Mr. Harter stated that the acceptance of credit cards should be pursued. The charge of 2 or 3% given to the credit card companies should not be viewed as lost revenue due to staff cost reductions. Mr. Leiter stated that staff will check with other jurisdictions on staff costs savings. Mr. Triplette questioned whether the City Council had discussed consolidation of Boards/Commissions/Committees. Mr. Leiter stated that Council will evaluate all Boards/Commissions/Committees and realignment may be a possibility. Mr. Compton stated that some B/C/C's are created by Charter. Mr. Remp pointed out that each member of the Board of Appeals & Advisors was selected because of each individual's expertise and that he was not aware of another S/C/C with similar makeup, Mr. Harter commented that issues heard before our Board cannot be appealed to Council. B. International Conference of Building Officials Annual Business Meeting Mr. Remp informed the Board that the Annual Business Meeting will be held in San Diego this year at the Marriott Hotel (by the Convention Center). Board Members were invited to participate in the Code Change Sessions to be held on Tuesday, 9/8/98 and Wednesday, 9/9/98 at no charge. Board Members interested in attending the Code Change Sessions need to advise Mr. Remp as soon as possible. 6. COMMUNICATIONS (PUBLIC REMARKSIWRITTEN CORRESPONDENCE): None Board of Appeajs & Advisors -4- August 10, 1998 - 7. ADJOU¡::¡NMENT: Chajrman Compton adjourned the meeting at 6:51 p.m, to the next regular meeting scheduled for September 14, 1998. 3~~~~ ASST. DI¡=¡. OF PLANNING & BUILDING / BUILDING OFFICIAL SECRETA=<Y TO THE BOARD OF APPEALS AND ADVISO¡:¡S ~ MINUTES TAKEN EN: YEELlN UYBUNGCO ADMINISTRATIVE SECRETARY DEPARTM=:NT OF BUILDING AND HOUSING COMPLIANCE WITH AMERICANS WITH DISABILITIES ACT The Ciiy of Chula Vista, in complying with the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA), request individuals who require special accommodation to access, attend and/or participate in a City meeting, activiiy, or service, request such accommodation at least forty-eight (48) hours in advance for meetings and five (5) days for scheduled schedules and activities. Please contact Yeelin Uybungco, Administrative Secretary, for specific information at (619) 691-5007 or TelecommunicaTIons Device for the Deaf (TOO) at (619) 585-5647. Califomia Relay Service is also available for the hearin9 impaired. /yu (A:\WP51 \081 098M)