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HomeMy WebLinkAbout1997/02/10 Board of Appeals & Advisors Minutes MINUTES OF A REGULAR MEETING BOARD OF APPEALS AND ADVISORS CITY OF CHULA VISTA, CALIFORNIA February 10, 1997 Conference Room No. 1 5:15 p.m. MEMBERS PRESENT: Chairman Triplette, Vice-Chairman Gingerich, Board Members Fabrick, Harter and Puzon MEMBERS ABSENT: Board Members Compton and O'Neill CITY STAFF PRESENT: Director of Building and Housing Larsen, Assistant Director of Building and Housing Remp, Chief Plans Examiner Aleem and Administrative Secretary Uybungco CALL MEETING TO ORDER: Chairman Triplette called the meeting to order at 5:15 p.m. ROLL CALL: Members present constituted a quorum. 1- DECLARATION OF EXCUSED/UNEXCUSED ABSENTEEISM: A. MSC Gingerich/Harter (5-0) (Compton and O'Neill absent) to excuse the absence of Board Member Compton. Staff informed Chairman Triplette that Board Member Compton had contacted the office to report his absence. B. MSC Triplette/Fabrick (5-0) (Compton and O'Neill absent) to table the declaration of Board Member O'Neill's absence to the next meeting. Staff reported that no contact was made by Board Member O'Neill. 2. APPROVAL OF MINUTES: MSC GingerichlPuzon (5-0) (Compton and O'Neill absent) to approve the minutes of October 14, 1996. Board of Appeals & Advisors -2- February 10, 1997 3. NEW BUSINESS: None 4. CHAIRMAN'S COMMENTS/REPORT: None 5. DIRECTOR'S COMMENTS/REPORT: A. Construction and Major Development Projects Projection for 1997 Director Larsen gave a snapshot of projected construction projects for 1997. Director Larsen pointed out that in 1984, Chula Vista accounted for 3 percent of construction Countywide. In 1996, Chula Vista accounted for approximately 16 percent of construction Countywide. B. Scheduling of Tour for Major Projects - Spring, 1997 Director Larsen inquired whether the Board would be interested in a tour of major projects. Chairman Triplette expressed interest on behalf of the Board and instructed staff to poll the members for a date/time. It was agreed upon by the Board that early May would be preferable, departing at 4:00 p.m. C. 1997 Code Adoption Cycle The 1997 Editions of the Uniform Building and Uniform Fire Codes will be available in April, 1997. The 1997 Plumbing and Mechanical Codes are published. The Codes are in the hearing process at the State level. Mandated adoption date should be July 1, 1998. Upon receipt of the State amendment packet, staff will bring it to the Board in late 1997 or early 1998. The Board will need to schedule public hearings for consideration of the amendments for each code. Staff will provide additional information regarding the Codes adoption in the mid to latter part of 1997. D. Status Report of Citywide ADA Modifications Director Larsen explained to the Board that the Capital Improvement Program calls for the Director of Building and Housing as the Project Manager; however, Assistant Director Remp has been the Project Coordinator. Director Larsen deferred to Assistant Director Remp for the status report. Board of Appeals & Advisors -3- February 10, 1997 Assistant Director Remp informed the Board that the City has been working on this project for approximately four years and the project is in its final stages with modifications to restroom facilities. The discovery of asbestos in several buildings has impacted the project budget. Changes to procedures had to be made so that no one is negatively impacted by the asbestos. Assistant Director Remp pointed out that Chula Vista is well ahead of other agencies in the State. Staff has worked on the project diligently and should be wrapped up in the next four months. Director Larsen informed the Board that staff will report on the completion of the project. Board Member Harter inquired whether the curb ramps were part of the ADA Modification Project. Assistant Director Remp explained that the curbcuts are under the Direction of the City Engineer and is an ongoing program throughout the City and is not a part of the phase which will be completed in four months. The completion of modifications includes only City facilities. Director Larsen further explained regional standards are followed for the curb ramps, not necessarily ADA specifications. E. Department Staffing Levels & Realignment Director Larsen stated that since 1991, the City has been reducing staffing levels. However, the Department is glad to announce the hiring of three employees. 1) Director Larsen introduced Syed Aleem to the Board. Syed has been with the Department since May, 1996. Syed's experience includes six years with Esgil Corporation and six years with the County of Los Angeles. Syed was promoted to Chief Plans Examiner. 2) The Department also hired a Building Inspector currently employed by the City of La Mesa. Steve Stingl has over ten years of experience in plan check, inspections and counter customer service. Steve will be an addition to the Building Inspections Division. Board of Appeals & Advisors -4- February 10, 1997 3) The position vacated by Tina Lutz, Housing Inspector, will be filled by Steve Jacobson. F. Code Enforcement Funding Mechanisms Director Larsen has reviewed Assistant Director Remp's proposal for Community Development Block Grant funding to reactivate the Code Enforcement Division and will be presenting the program to the Manager's Office. Assistant Director Remp stated that the Department has been slow in responding to non-life safety complaints due to reduction in Code Enforcement staffing. After contacting other jurisdictions, it revealed that many Code Enforcement activities are funded by CDBG Funding. The proposal will provide funding for hiring of a supervisor and employees to reactivate the Community Appearance Program. This proposal falls into a different category than other social projects competing for the CDBG funds. Director Larsen informed the Board that the City is in the preliminary stage of the budget cycle. Dependent upon the City Manager's direction, the Department may be asking the Board for options and recommendations for funding of Code Enforcement Activities. Chairman Triplette inquired about the timeline of bringing staff on board for the Community Appearance Program if all goes well with the funding. Director Larsen responded that realistically it would probably be in September, 1997, if funds become available at the beginning of the fiscal year. Board Member Harter questioned whether the program will generate revenue. Director Larsen stated that revenue may be generated from finding businesses without licenses, but would be difficult to show exact correlation of all revenues from Code Enforcement action, as revenues generated by the Department are general fund and not account specific. Board Member Harter suggested that staff should try to show credit for revenue generated through enforcement efforts to justify futúre funding. Board of Appeals & Advisors -5- February 10, 1997 Assistant Director Remp explained that enhancing Code Enforcement tools, such as the Citation Authority Program, may be a financial incentive, but does not want to state that the program will definitely raise funds. The previous Community Appearance Programs empowered neighborhoods, provided communication amongst the neighbors and reduced the number of complaints within the neighborhoods. Director Larsen informed the Board that staff will return with the final program plan. G. Status of CPVC Piping On January 21, 1997, the San Francisco Superior Court ruled that a decision of the California Department of Housing and Community Development (HCD) and the California Building Standards Commission (CBSC) to authorize the use of chlorinated polyvinyl chloride (CPVC) water supply pipe in residential occupancies violates state law. The court held that HCD and the CBSC violated the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA) by reversing a 14-year state ban on local approvals of CPVC pipe without completing the environmental impact report (EIR) begun by HCD or otherwise complying with CEQA. The court's decision does not apply to those local jurisdictions that approved CPVC pipe between October 12, 1995 and January 1, 1996, pursuant to the limited authority granted by Health & Safety Code section 17921.9 (Assembly Bill 151 [Baca]). Director Larsen stated that Chula Vista may be exempt from the case due to the action taken by the Board on November 13, 1995 to approve the use of CPVC in Chula Vista. Staff will research the case and will provide a report at the next Board Meeting. 6. COMMUNICATIONS (PUBLIC REMARKS/WRITTEN CORRESPONDENCE): None 7. ADJOURNMENT: Chairman Triplette adjourned the meeting at 5:55 p.m. to the next regular meeting scheduled for March 10, 1997. Board of Appeals & Advisors -6- February 10, 1997 Secretary to the Board of Appeals & Advisors: ~~~, L~ KENNETH G. LARSEN, C.B.O. DIRECTOR OF BUilDING AND HOUSING SECRETARY TO THE BOARD OF APPEALS AND ADVISORS Minutes taken by: i~ JA..i U; YEELlN UYBUNGCO ' ADMINISTRATIVE SECRETARY DEPARTMENT OF BUILDING AND HOUSING COMPLIANCE WITH AMERICANS WITH DISABiliTIES ACT The City of Chula Vista, in complying with the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA), request individuals who require special accommodation to access, attend andlor participate in a City meeting, activity, 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 (TDD) at (619) 585-5647. California Relay Service is also available for the hearing impaired. /yu (B:\WPS1\0210~7M)