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Home My WebLink About10/16/2001 Adjourned Meeting 310 CITY OF YAKIMA, WASHINGTON ADJOURNED MEETING OF THE CITY COUNCIL OCTOBER 16, 2001 - 7:30 A.M. 129 NORTH 2 STREET - COUNCIL CHAMBERS 1. ROLL CALL Present: Council: Mayor Mary Place, presiding, Council Members Clarence Barnett, Henry Beauchamp, Lynn Buchanan, John Puccinelli, and Bernard Sims Staff: Glenn Rice, Assistant City Manager; Larry Peterson, Assistant City Attorney; Bill Cook, Director of Community and Economic Development; Doug Maples, Code Administration and Planning Manager; and City Clerk Roberts Absent: Council Member Larry Mattson (excused) 2. REVIEW OF ELECTRICAL INSPECTION PROGRAM AND ORDINANCE • Introductions were made from the audience Members of the audience introduced themselves: Steve Couette, Jack Horner Electric; Bob Mansfield, Mansfield TV Alarm Co.; Paul George, Council candidate; Dave Whittle, Electrical Field Supervisor with Labor and Industries; Dave Dubois, Labor and Industries; Dale Foster, MSI Construction; Ron Anderson, Central Washington Homebuilders; Tom Froula, Overhead Door Company of Yakima; Don Picatti, Picatti Brothers; Gary Gooier, Electrical Technical Specialist, Labor and Industries; David Picatti, Industrial Services Electric; Doug Wave, Valley Construction; Rob Robinson, Back Stage Electric; and Mike Elliott, Central Washington Home Builders. • Clarification is given on the revised staff recommendation Doug Maples and Bill Cook clarified the one hundred and eighty degree change from the recommendation in the original budget policy issue to transfer electrical inspections from the State Department of Labor and Industries (L &I) to the City. The staff recommendation now is to have the electrical inspection and plan review responsibilities remain with the Department of Labor and Industries. Council Member Sims pointed out that in addition to staff now recommending that the City not take over the electrical inspection or plan review, they are recommending that Council adopt the most current electrical code. Doug Maples agreed and stated the Washington State Department of Labor and Industries would regulate the 1996 electrical code. The only new amendment added was that the administrative representative of L &I would have the authority to disconnect certain electrical services when there is an emergency or in the case of an illegal service. He stated that the Code Administration Office and the Department of Labor and Industries have each made a commitment to work in a OCTOBER 16, 2001 ADJOURNED MEETING 311 cooperative effort and share information. Council Member Puccinelli expressed concern that there is no check and balance system with L &I; where would someone go to complain about a problem with L &I. • Testimony is given Rob Robinson, Back Stage Electric, spoke about his experience with L &I, which has been positive. He stated that L &I works cooperatively with his firm, performing inspections on Friday evening, Saturdays and even on some Sundays. Gary Gooler, Labor and Industries, reported that any inspection problem may be brought before the Governor's Advisory Board that is composed of private citizens and people who are in the electrical industry. He further commented that there is a state law that gives them the ability to enforce the City's zoning ordinance if the City passes an ordinance authorizing them to do that. Bob Mansfield, Mansfield Alarm Company, spoke about the need for an L &I inspection before the power company will connect their low energy systems (fire alarms, etc.) and how that requirement controls the job because L &I doesn't have enough inspectors. He also spoke about the need for agencies to communicate with each other to ferret out those individuals who are not licensed but are working in the community. Don Piccatti, 102 North 41 Avenue, talked about his experience when he appealed a decision to the Governor's Advisory Board. He stated he would rather his appeal went before a technical based board than be heard by a politically based board. He also felt that the state would carry more weight than the city when dealing with illegal contractors. Tom Froula, Overhead Door Company of Yakima, outlined the process he followed in order to become a licensed electrical contractor and administrator. He spoke highly of the assistance he received from L &I to achieve that license. He stated that he worked with other contractors to write the regulations that apply to gates and doors; L &I incorporated their work into the regulations. Dave Whittle, Labor and Industries, advised Council that he and Doug Maples have been working together over the past year to address the concerns of the Council about electrical connections to illegal residential conversions. Every morning his staff faxes over a list of the jobs they are going to inspect, as well as copies of the permits issued. Larry Couette, Jack Horner Electric, spoke in favor of keeping the electrical inspections with L &I, saying they do a very even - handed, thorough job of inspecting their work. He said that in the County the electrical inspector will not inspect a mobile home if he does not see the County's permit attached to it. That same method could be applied within the City limits. Doug Maples addressed Mr. Couette's suggestion, stating that not all electrical work requires a building permit, i.e. moving electrical plug -ins. He stated that staff is working cooperatively with L &I and now sends them copies of permits issued so they can verify if there is work being done where an electrical permit was not sought. 2 31 2 OCTOBER 16, 2001 — ADJOURNED MEETING Dave Wave, Valley Construction, commented he specializes in insurance restoration jobs and insurance does not insure against stupidity. He approves the City and L &I working together. Council Member Sims asked if there was any way that Labor and Industries could be housed in City Hall so that citizens would not have to travel to different locations to obtain all the permits they need for one job. Gary Gooier, Labor and Industries, responded that he doesn't have an answer about mixing the different agencies under one roof, however, he reported that the electrical contractors can purchase permits via the Internet if they have an account set up with L &I. He suggested forming a task force consisting of electrical and construction industry members to review tabor and Industries' rules. Council Member Puccinelli asked if staff could make a computer available for the contractors so that they could get on -line with Labor and Industries. Mr. Maples responded that it is possible to put a link to L &I on the computer that is currently available at the counter for the contractors' use. Council Member Puccinelli then asked if staff advises the public about other agencies that may need to be involved with a particular project or new business. Mr. Maples replied that staff refers applicants to other agencies as applicable. He commented that today Council has heard from the contractors who don't mind the inspections because they are trying to do a good job; however, we are trying to protect the consumer from the people who just want to get the job done and get their money. Rob Robinson advised Council that, as a contractor, if they see people doing illegal work, they may report it to L &I. He responded to the question about purchasing an electrical permit at the building permit location by stating he never comes to this building. The general contractor purchases the building permit and relies on the electrical contractor to purchase the electrical permit. He stated that PP &L wants to see a permit when hooking up services. • Council discusses the issue and gives staff direction Council Member Beauchamp asked if there is a phone number for people to call to identify where potential illegal operations could be taking place. Mr. Maples stated they could call 576 -6656 to report something suspicious. Council Member Barnett cautioned that calling in if someone only thinks there may be a potential problem would be too much like a Gestapo action. Mr. Maples stated that if work is being done legally, there should be a permit posted. It was the general consensus of Council to keep the inspection services as it is now and direct staff to continue working with Labor and Industries. Staff was also directed to bring the proposed ordinance to Council for action. 3 31.3 OCTOBER 16, 2001 — ADJOURNED MEETING 3. ADJOURNMENT BUCHANAN MOVED AND PUCCINELLI SECONDED TO ADJOURN THE MEETING AT 8:50 A.M. The motion carried by unanimous voice vote;Mattson absent. READ AND CERTIFIED ACCURATE BY: L,,� , z i: e / COUNCIL ; M: R DATE 1 f i /L4AI.. ,,,.L I,: IP 1 z,- I - 7— a/ (DUN MEMBER 'I DATE ATTEST: 4 4 CITY CLERK MARY PLACE, MAYOR Minutes prepared by Karen Roberts. Audio and video tapes of this meeting are available in the City Clerk's Office. 4 •