HomeMy WebLinkAboutA010 - Emails from December, 2010 - Code revisions Diane R Voss/COA To Chuck.Winkleblack@hunziker.com,
12/06/2010 06:10 PM bearfan63@netscape.net
cc
bcc Diane R Voss/COA
Subject Council Workshop with Uniform Plumbing Code Regional
Director
Please be advised that the City Council will hold a Special Workshop Session on December 14
commencing at 6 PM in the City Council Chambers to hear from the Uniform Plumbing Code Regional
Director on pending issues pertaining to the Rental Code.
Diane Voss, City Clerk/Records Manager
P. O. Box 811
Ames, Iowa 50010
(515) 239-5105
Diane R Voss/COA To jlgunni@iastate.edu
1 2/07/201 0 03:26 PM cc
bcc Diane R Voss/COA
Subject Special Council Workshop with Uniform Plumbing Code
Regional Director
Please be advised that the City Council will hold a Special Workshop Session on December 14
commencing at 6 PM in the City Council Chambers to hear from the Uniform Plumbing Code Regional
Director on pending issues pertaining to the Rental Code.
Diane Voss, City Clerk/Records Manager
P. O. Box 811
Ames, Iowa 50010
(515) 239-5105
Diane R Voss/COA To kexcell@triplettcompanies.com
12/07/2010 03:18 PM cc
bcc Diane R Voss/COA
Subject Special Council Workshop with Uniform Plumbing Code
Regional Director
Please be advised that the City Council will hold a Special Workshop Session on December 14
commencing at 6 PM in the City Council Chambers to hear from the Uniform Plumbing Code Regional
Director on pending issues pertaining to the Rental Code.
Diane Voss, City Clerk/Records Manager
P. O. Box 811
Ames, Iowa 50010
(515) 239-5105
Diane R Voss/COA To ladgrove@hotmail.com
1 2/07/201 0 03:15 PM cc
bcc Diane R Voss/COA
Subject Special Council Workshop with Uniform Plumbing Code
Regional Director
Please be advised that the City Council will hold a Special Workshop Session on December 14
commencing at 6 PM in the City Council Chambers to hear from the Uniform Plumbing Code Regional
Director on pending issues pertaining to the Rental Code.
Diane Voss, City Clerk/Records Manager
P. O. Box 811
Ames, Iowa 50010
(515) 239-5105
Diane R Voss/COA To David A Brown/COA@COA
12/07/2010 03:24 PM cc Clint E Petersen/COA@COA
bcc Diane R Voss/COA
Subject Notification of Special City Council Workshop on December
14
David:
Per Steve Schainker's direction, I have notified Chuck Winkleblack, Jim Gunning, Lad Grove, and Kelly
Excell about the upcoming workshop with the Plumbing Code Regional Director. Mr. Schainker stted that
you would be notifying the Property Maintenance Appeals Board.
Diane Voss, City Clerk/Records Manager
P. O. Box 811
Ames, Iowa 50010
(515) 239-5105
1
r
� r
r ' 1 / v
L /
Clint E Petersen/COA To Diane R Voss/COA@COA
12/07/2010 01:00 PM cc
bcc
Subject Re: Draft CC Agenda for December 14D
Hi Diane,
The special workshop is bringing in Bill Schweitzer, Uniform Plumbing code by IAPMO, Region 4
Regional Manager
Chief Clint Petersen
Ames Fire Department
1300 Burnett
Ames, IA 50010
515-239-5108
Cpetersen@city.ames.ia.us
Diane R Voss/COA
Diane R Voss/COA
12/06/2010 08:04 PM To Doug Marek/COA@COA,Julie Huisman/COA@COA,Clint E
Petersen/COA@COA, Duane R Pitcher/COA@COA,John R
Dunn/COA@COA, Donald Kom/COA@COA, Nancy J
Carroll/COA@COA, Sheri Kyras/COA@COA,
aweeks@amespubliclibrary.org, Paul E
Hinderaker/COA@COA,John C Joiner/COA@COA, Steve
Osguthorpe/COA@COA, Cheryl M Spencer/COA@COA,
Steve Schainker/COA@COA, Bob Kindred/COA@COA,
Sheila K Lundt/COA@COA, Jill L Ripperger/COA@COA,
Cathy Gersema/COA@COA, Erin Thompson/COA@COA,
Diane R Voss/COA@COA, Charles M Cychosz/COA@COA,
Jaclyn Anderzhon/COA@COA,TV Intern/COA, Emily
Burton/COA@COA, Derek Crisler/COA@COA,Cindy L
Hollar/COA@COA,Judy K Parks/COA@COA,Jeff A
Brinkley/COA@COA, Kristine Stone/COA@COA,Jill
Grimsley/COA@COA
cc
Subject Draft CC Agenda for December 14
Please advise me of any changes. Thanks.
Diane Voss, City Clerk/Records Manager
P. O. Box 811
Ames, Iowa 50010
(515) 239-5105
[attachment"'I214.pdf' deleted by Clint E Petersen/COA]
Diane R Voss/COA To Clint E Petersen/COA@COA
12/07/2010 04:58 PM cc
bcc Diane R Voss/COA
Subject Notification of Plumbing Code Regional Director
Steve asked me to make sure that you had notified Mr. Schweitzer that the meeting on December 14 will
start at 6 PM.
Diane Voss, City Clerk/Records Manager
P. O. Box 811
Ames, Iowa 50010
(515) 239-5105
Bernadette Siebert To Tom Wacha<tom@tomwacha.org>,Jami Larson
<siebert@isunet.net> <jlarson101@aol.com>, Riad G Mahayni
12r08/2010 01:47 PM cc <rmahayni@isu net.net>, Matt Goodman
bcc
Subject rental property regulations
My husband and I are members of the Ames Rental Association. I
understand our group is still working with city staff and council to
come up with rental regulations that are reasonable. I'm worried the
end result will be more cost to small owners like us. we certainly
want safety for our tenants and we believe taking good care of our
property helps us and the community in the long term. However,
before more stringent requirements should be enacted there should be
proof that there is danger to tenants or others. There should be a
risk analysis and weigh the cost and benefit. There are many people
in Ames who need low cost housing and even lower rents than are
offered here. we do not need to add more expense to raise rents
unless it can be proven it is a real safety issue. we are
particularly concerned about changes in the plumbing rules.
Bernadette Siebert
1229 McKinley Drive
Ames
Doug Marek/COA To David A Brown/COA@COA
12/09/2010 01:23 PM cc BKINKADE@CITY.AMES.IA.US, Bob Kindred/COA@COA,
CPETERSEN@CITY.AMES.IA.US, Diane R
Voss/COA@COA, Steve Schainker/COA@COA
bcc
Subject re: IAPMO rep and roundtable [j
FYI, I'll be sending copies of the 1907 ordinance, excerpts from the 909 code, etc. to Council, along with
responses from the Des Moines City Attorney(and any others that respond in time) to my inquiry on the
same issue .
Doug Marek
Ames City Attorney
515 Clark Avenue
P.O. Box 811
Ames, Iowa 50010
Tel: 515-239-5146
Fax: 515-239-5142
E-mail: dmarek@city.ames.ia.us
David A Brown/COA
David A Brown/COA
12/09/2010 08:35 AM To Steve Schainker/COA@COA, Bob Kindred/COA@COA,
CPETERSEN@CITY.AMES.IA-US, Doug
Marek/COA@COA, Diane R Voss/COA@COA
cc BKINKADE@CITY.AMES.IA.US
Subject re: IAPMO rep and roundtable
Good morning.
I just copied you on an email I sent to the PMAB re the Dec 14 roundtable.
It includes the attachment below which we received from the IAPMO rep Bill Schweitzer.
It occurred to me you may want to include this document in the packet you send out to Council, and you
may want to send it to the ARA.
It's a concise statement of the IAPMO position in regard to the key plumbing code provision which has
received so much attention lately-'when must existing plbg be updated?'
Council and ARA perceived we'd brought in critical information on the 1907 plumbing code too late in the
process, after the last roundtable.
If they don't see this prior to the meeting we may recreate a similar situation.
E xistPlbgCodel nterpD eel-IAPMO.doc
David Brown
Building Official
City of Ames
515-239-5155 (office)
515-450-8882 (cell)
f Seamus Kelly To tom@tomwacha.org,jlarson101@aol.com,
<keIlyclimber@gmail.com> rmahayni@isunet.net, matthew@eatfightingburrito.com,
12�09r2010 02:58 PM CC dvoss@city.ames.ia.us,jeremyndavis@gmail.com,
bcc
Subject Ames Rental Plumbing Issues
All:
Please consider the 'Ames Rental Property Owners'recommenations for allowable conditions
within the Ames Rental Code. The originally proposed rental code proposed extraordinary
measures that add a lot of burden to rental property owners such as myself, without providing
much improvement to tenant safety and health. As a trained but not yet licensed architect I am
keenly aware of the importance of public safety and health, and would not recommend relaxing
requirments just for the sake of economy. But every condition should be measured by its cost
benefit.
I own a 150 year old duplex(originally built as a duplex) in the Old Towne neighborhood. Like
all old houses, it has its inherent quirks. I've worked long and hard and spent lots of money to
improve the livability of the property to the point where I would say it is a beautiful, comfortable
and safe place to live. I, myself lived there for a number of years, and now my tenants are my
friends, whom I care about. Upgrading all the proposed measures (including the current
plumbing requirements in question) would not provide much benefit to my tenants,but would
put me under considerable financial duress . . . especially given our current ecomonic situation.
Please consider the following plumbing conditions to be allowed in the Ames Rental Code:
1. Stand pipe for washing machine without a visible trap
2. Basement surface drainage flowing into floor drains from showers,washing machines, or
laundry sinks(vented or unvented)
3. Existing auto vents
4. Existing"S"Traps (though when replacement occurs, an auto vent must be installed with
the "S"trap)
5. Toilets, showers, tubs, and sinks located in bathrooms with less clearance than required
by the U.P.C.
6. Repairs and maintenance to existing systems need to be allowed to be made with"like
kind replacement parts and design."
Thank you for consideration and thoughtful leadership.
Seamus Kelly
— Dean Jensen To tom@tomwacha.org,jlarson101@aol.com,
<dean@resgi.com> rmahayni@isunet.net, matthew@eatfightingburrito.com,
12/091,2010 06:20 PIVI cc dvoss@city.ames.ia.us,jeremyndavis@gmail.com,
bcc
Subject Plumbing Issues
Dear Council Members,
I would like to encourage your support of the plumbing code variations that have been submitted
to you by the Ames Rental Property Owners. The requests represent reasonable compromises
that will greatly support the owners who are attempting to balance safety and provision of
affordable housing in our community.
Your decisions are very valuable in directing the future of this city.
Thank you for your consideration,
Dean Jensen
David A Brown/COA To doloresbetts@yahoo.com, pat.brown.bzr7@statefarm.com,
12/09/2010 08:24 AM berts113@yahoo.com,wood763@mchsi.com,
catmandu@netins.net,gary@hunziker.com,
cc bill.schweitzer@iapmo.org, Diane R Voss/COA@COA,Steve
G� Schainker/COA@COA, Bob Kindred/COA@COA, Doug
bcc Marek/COA@COA,Judy Parks, Shawn
Subject Notes on December 14 Council roundtable
Seasons Greetings!
Next Tuesday, December 14, 6:00 p.m., the Council will host a roundtable discussion on the subject of
existing plumbing in rental properties. At Council's request we've invited a representative of the
International Association of Plumbing and Mechanical Officials(IAPMO) to participate. We have a
commitment from the IAPMO Midwest Regional Director, Mr. Bill Schweitzer, to attend, and he may be
accompanied by a second representative. IAPMO publishes the Uniform Plumbing Code (UPC), the most
widely used minimum plumbing standard adopted by cities, counties, and states throughout the nation,
including the State of Iowa and the City of Ames.
Mr. Schweitzer will offer his interpretation of the UPC regarding existing plumbing (Section 101.4.1.3-
plumbing work that"was installed and is maintained in accordance with the law in effect prior to the
effective date of this code"). He'll also field related questions from Council and participants. Mr.
Schweitzer has sent us text from the 2009 UPC training manual, which states the general IAPMO
interpretation of 101.4.1.3, attached at the end of this email.
In addition to the Mayor and Council, and Mr. Schweitzer, the City Manager, City Attorney, Fire Chief,
Building Official, Bldg Insp Supervisor, and 3 members of the Ames Rental Association (ARA)will be
seated at the roundtable along with 3 members of the Property Maintenance Appeals Board (PMAB). As at
the last roundtable, the Mayor is requesting that the 3 Boardmembers be those who are not landlord
members. Since the community's landlords are well represented by the ARA, it would seem desirable to
have the neighborhoods, owner-occupants and tenants represented at the table in the persons of the
non-landlord Boardmembers, i.e., Bert Schroeder, De Betts, and Pat Brown. The landlord members of the
Board are of course welcome to attend.
Please give me a call or email if you have any questions, comments, or concerns.
Thank-you for continuing to serve throughout the duration of this current public comment process.
EristPlbgCodelnterpl)eel-IAPM0.doc
David Brown
Building Official
City of Ames
515-239-5155 (office)
515-450-8882 (cell)
dabrown@city.ames.ia.us
From IAPMO— Bill Schweitzer, December 1, 2010
"Attached is the section from the 2009 UPC training manual. I gives a good explanation of 101.4.1.3
Existing Construction."
1.01.4.1.3 Existing Construction. No provision of this code shall
be deemed to require a change in any portion of a plurrrbing or
drainage system or any other work regulated by this code in or on
an existing building or lot when such work was installed and is
maintained in accordance with law in effect prior to the effective
date of this code, except when any such plumbing or drainage
system or other work regulated by this code is determined by the
Authority Having Jurisdiction to be in fact dangerous, unsafe.
insanitary, or a nuisance and a menace to life, health, or property.
-Flus codQ is published and.oftentimes adopted in three year cycles.
There srgay be marry changes in the code from code cycle to code cycle
and it is not the intent: of any jurisdiction to require existing buildings
tc continually meet the requirements of the newly adopted edition
of ti.e code. There are three conditions that will allow an existing
plumbing system to survive chair!es in the code without being
brought up to the re€tuirenients of the new code. These conditions
are:
1. nie existing system roust have been properly installed according;
to the code in effect at the time of the installation;
2. 'rhe system roust have been pro erly maintained accordin« to
the code in effect when 12criodic maintenance was performed;
and
3. The systern must not be "dangerous, unsafe, iusanitarv, or a
nuisance and menace to life, health, or �propertv." An example of
this would be a broken and leafing sewer pipe.
If it can be proved that any or all of the above provisions were
not met, the AIM is justified in requiring that system to be brought up
to the requirements of the new edition of the code.
Matthew Robinson To tom@tomwacha.org,jlarson 1 O@aol.com,
*. <matthewr@iastate.edu> rmahayni@isunet.net,matthew@eatfightingburrito.com,
12/09/2010 10:42 PM cc dvoss@city.ames.ia.us,jeremyndavis@gmail.com,
bcc
Subject City Plumbing issues
Hello Ames City Council Members,
I have many concerns about the plumbing codes in the city of Ames. I feel there have suddenly
been several expensive changes to the code that don't affect citizens' safety. I understand if the
fixtures are NEW that they need to be up to a NEW code and be vented, etc. But if the item is
existing I don't understand why it can't stay. We should be allowed to repair and maintain the
systems with a like kind replacement part. Some of the main issues that come to mind are as
follows:
1. Stand pipe for washing machine without a visible trap
2. Basement surface drainage flowing into floor drains from showers,
washing machines, or laundry sinks (vented or unvented)
3. Existing auto vents
4. Existing"S"Traps (though when replacement occurs, an auto vent must
be installed with the "S"trap)
5. Toilets, showers, tubs, and sinks located in bathrooms with less
clearance than required by the U.P.C.
Another point I would like to make about all of changes to the plumbing code is that it applies to
all properties in Ames,not just rental properties. These so called "problems"will affect
numerous residents in this city. I believe these issues need to be addressed and changed. Thanks.
Matt
Dave Sly To "tom@tomwacha.org"<tom@tomwacha.org>,
<dave@proplanner.com> "jlarson101@aol.com"<jl arson 101@aol.com>,
12/09/2010 02:33 PM cc <rmahayni@isu net.net>,
cc "melissa.sly@gmail.com"<melissa.sly@gmail.com>,
"amesrentalpropertyowners@gmail.com"
<amesrentalpropertyowners@gmail.com>
bcc
Subject Plumbing Rules for Ames Rental Property
Ames City Council Members,
Melissa and I work very hard to ensure that our tenants have a safe and clean living environment at
an affordable rental rate. To allow us to continue offering these services, it is critical that the city codes
are fair and reasonable, in that they involve "cost effective" and practical solutions to potential hazards.
In particular we believe it is important that you consider the cost of a remedy relative to the value that
it offers, such that the "medicine does not kill the patient- but actually improves the overall situation".
We have worked hard with the Rental Association to come up with practical and reasonable methods of
conforming to modern building requirements. We strongly believe that these new "fair and reasonable,
cost effective" conditions be allowed within the Ames Rental code.
1. Stand pipe for washing machine without a visible trap
2. Basement surface drainage flowing into floor drains from showers, washing
machines, or laundry sinks (vented or unvented)
3. Existing auto vents
4. Existing "S" Traps (though when replacement occurs, an auto vent must be
installed with the "S" trap)
5. Toilets, showers, tubs, and sinks located in bathrooms with less clearance than
required by the U.P.C.
Repairs and maintenance to existing systems need to be allowed to be made with "like
kind replacement parts and design."
Regards,
Dave
Dave Sly, PE, PhD
President
dave@proplanner.com
515-450-2335 (cell)
Proplanner
2321 North Loop, Ste 134-100
Ames, Iowa, 50010
515-296-9914 (main)
www.proplanner.com
"David Keller" To <tom@tomwacha.org>,<j1arson101@ao1.com>,
.�' . <David.Keller@4eca.com> <rmahayni@isunet.net>, <matthew@eatfightingburrito.com>,
12/09/2010 03:37 PM cc <dvoss@city.ames.ia.us>, <jeremyndavis@gmail.com>,
bcc
Subject Chapter 13 and the Plumbing Code
Honorable Council Members,
I will keep this very brief, I am fully in support of the Ames Rental Association position as presented by
Lad Grove. As a stated part of the ARA position, specifically the following 5 plumbing conditions, when
found to already be in place, need to be allowed to continue and be repaired with similar materials until
such time as there is new work done.
Stand pipe for washing machine without a visible trap
Basement surface drainage flowing into floor drains from showers, washing machines, or
laundry sinks (vented or unvented)
Existing auto vents
Existing "S" Traps (though when replacement occurs, an auto vent must be installed with the
'IS" trap)
Toilets, showers, tubs, and sinks located in bathrooms with less clearance than required by the
U.P.C.
Thank you for your consideration of these matters.
David Keller
David A. Keller
The fvlcKel Group
'rice President
,515) 598-9100`.`: k
k515) 593-9101E=_x.;
David.Keller L4eca.com
119 Stanton Ave,Ste 201
An)es,iH 50014-253 i
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"Steve Bock" To "'mailto:tom@tomwacha.org-, <jlarson101@aol.com>,
<stevebock@gwestoffice.net <rmahayni@isunet.net>, <matthew@eatfightingburrito.com>,
!' > <dvoss@city.ames.ia.us>, <jeremyndavis@gmail.com>,
1 2/09/201 0 02:53 PM cc
bcc
Subject
Dear council members,
I believe these conditions are not a safty issue and should be allowed til there is a
remodel or repair to the condition that would allow for it to be done to code without
major added expense. I don't know of any time in my 25 years of construction and rental
property ownership were there has been any danger to anyone with these conditions
and should not be a need to change them out to meet code.
We need these plumbing conditions to be allowed in the Ames Rental Code:
1. Stand pipe for washing machine without a visible trap
2. Basement surface drainage flowing into floor drains from showers, washing
machines, or laundry sinks (vented or unvented)
3. Existing auto vents
4. Existing "S" Traps (though when replacement occurs, an auto vent must be
installed with the "S" trap)
5. Toilets, showers, tubs, and sinks located in bathrooms with less clearance than
required by the U.P.C.
Repairs and maintenance to existing systems need to be allowed to be made with "like
kind replacement parts and design."
Sincerely,
Steve
Bock Property Management
515.231.1$99 I Blackberry [Call-Text-Email]
—rE V E BOCK
LEAD REA.LTOR
' ,. RZMAXREAtEsrxTEtENWR THE
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What Is The Steve Bock Team Advantage?
Doug Sampson To <tom@tomwacha.org>, <jlarsonl01@aol.com>,
<drsampson72@hotmail.com <rmahayni@isunet.net>, <matthew@eatfightingburrito.com>,
> <dvoss@city.ames.ia.us>, <jeremyndavis@gmail.com>,
12/10/2010 10:19 AM cc
bcc
Subject FW: Ideas for letter to Council regarding Plumbing
Dear Council Members;
I understand the desire to make certain conditions are safe and clean in our rental units and if you could
visit mine you would know I provide excellent conditions for my tennants. I also strive to keep rents
affordable, especially in these economic times. Based on required updates from my last audit and the cost
incurred I've lost any profit on this property for the next two years. Additonal changes to this property will
require an increase in rents and amounts to a hidden tax. I had budgeted to add insulation but cannot
spend the additional funds with these new requirements.
When a property has functioned with a basement shower for over 60 years without an issue or problem
it's difficult to undertand just why we need to make changes to existing structures and systems.
Please reconsider the following points and allow a grandfathering of existing functioning systems.
We need these plumbing conditions to be allowed in the Ames Rental Code:
1. Stand pipe for washing machine without a visible trap
2. Basement surface drainage flowing into floor drains from showers,
washing machines, or laundry sinks (vented or unvented)
3. Existing auto vents
4. Existing "S" Traps (though when replacement occurs, an auto vent must be
installed with the "S" trap)
5. Toilets, showers, tubs, and sinks located in bathrooms with less clearance
than required by the U.P.C.
Repairs and maintenance to existing systems need to be allowed to be made with
"like kind replacement parts and design."
Thank you.
Doug Sampson