ANTRIM COUNTY

*Public Works Committee* Larry Bargy Joseph Allen, Chairman* Eugene Dawson*

Minutes
March 2, 2005

Members present:		Joe Allen, Gene Dawson and Larry Bargy
Members absent:		None
Others present:		Pete Garwood and Jack White

1. Meeting called to order at 11:02 a.m.
2. Hydro Dam Facility Update
	Peter Garwood, Coordinator/Planner, informed the Committee that Traverse City Light and Power has made a decision to decommission their three (3) hydro generating/dam facilities. Mr. Garwood indicated that he had a conversation with Mark Stone, Drain Commissioner, who in turn has discussed the future maintenance of the Antrim County Hydro generating facility with Joe Cultenbock of Traverse City Light and Power. Mr. Cultenbock assured Mr. Stone that TCLP will continue to provide the same service for the Antrim County hydro generating facility that they have in years past.
3. Agreement between Antrim County, Central Lake Township and Marvin Rubingh
	Mr. Garwood indicated that the contract with Marvin Rubingh for the paper fiber recycling is up for renewal March 1, 2005. Mr. Rubingh would like a ten dollar increase per month, from $400 to $410. Motion by Larry Bargy, supported by Gene Dawson, to recommend the Board of Commissioners approve a two (2) year contract with Marvin Rubingh and Central Lake Township for the Paper Fiber Recycling Program at a cost of $410 per month beginning March 1, 2005 and ending March 1, 2007. Motion carried – unanimous.
4. Construction Code Department Update
	Mr. Garwood reminded the Committee that today is the day the State Construction Code Commission will be deciding on whether or not to re-authorize Antrim County to administer the Construction Code beginning April 1, 2005. Bob Massey, Director of the Construction Code Department, joined the meeting. Mr. Massey informed the Committee that if the State Construction Code Commission approves re-authorizing the County to administer the construction code, his office will be holding meetings for the contractors on March 17 and March 24. Mr. Massey also indicated he would like authority to hire additional part-time inspectors (plumbing and mechanical) on a contract basis. Mr. Massey stated the additional inspectors will be needed to make sure the department can continue to final out the open permits (a requirement of the 5(j) of the “Settlement Agreement” between the County and the State).
	Motion by Gene Dawson, supported by Larry Bargy, to recommend the Board of Commissioners authorize Bob Massey to contract with a mechanical inspector and a plumbing inspector (both on a part-time basis) contingent on the County receiving authority to administer the construction code program in Antrim County. Motion carried – unanimous. Currently, the Construction Code department has a part-time temporary employee that was hired mid-last year. Mr. Massey informed the Committee he feels the position should be elevated to a permanent full-time position due to the increased work load. Motion by Gene Dawson, supported by Larry Bargy, to recommend the Board of Commissioners approve a full-time clerical position for the Construction Code Department. Motion carried – unanimous. The Committee stated the staffing levels will be reviewed once the department is caught up and running smooth. Appeals Board Process Mr. Massey informed the Committee that he will be working with the Coordinator/Planner Office to move the responsibility of the Construction Code Appeals Board from the Coordinator/Planner Office to the Construction Code Office. Mr. Massey informed the Committee he will be approaching the Finance Committee with a request for purchasing new computer hardware and software (the Public Works Committee recommended the purchase at a past meeting). Mr. Massey indicated he has been working with his inspectors to address complaints from contractors. Mr. Massey feels that some of the complaints are due to the nature of the re-inspections and the closing of old open permits. Mr. Massey requested the Committee consider a new policy regarding how and when house numbers are posted. He would like posting of an address to be mandatory prior to the first inspection. Currently, the ordinance calls for posting just prior to issuing a Certificate of Occupancy. Motion by Gene Dawson, supported by Larry Bargy, to recommend the Board of Commissioners authorize amending the house numbering ordinance to require the posting of an address prior to the first inspection. Motion carried – unanimous. Mr. Massey discussed with the Committee the current requirements for the depth of footings. Trusses The old code includes a map that shows a line through Charlevoix County and the tip of Banks Township as a border for differing snow loads. Above the line the trusses must be constructed for 70 lbs. snow load while below the line trusses must be constructed for 60 lbs. In the new code the line has been moved to the middle of Antrim County, but it is very unclear exactly where the line falls geographically. Mr. Massey is struggling with how to enforce the line. The Bureau of Construction Code and Fire Safety has been no help on the issue. The consensus of the Committee was it would make sense to enforce the 70 lbs. throughout the County. Motion by Larry Bargy, supported by Gene Dawson, to recommend the Board of Commissioners approve a 70 lbs. per inch snow load for trusses throughout the County. Motion carried – unanimous. Roofing and Siding Permits Mr. Massey explained that previously the Construction Code Department was issuing permits when a homeowner wanted to re-roof or re-side their house. The inspectors are unable to get to all the re-roofing and re-siding projects throughout the County as there is a narrow window of time for such a project. Mr. Massey asked whether or not the Committee wanted the department to continue to require such permits. Motion by Larry Bargy, supported by Gene Dawson, to recommend that the Board of Commissioners discontinue the requirement to pull a permit for a re-roofing or a re-siding project and make the permit optional. Motion carried – unanimous.
Meeting adjourned at 12:55 p.m.