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HomeMy WebLinkAbout~Master - Special Meeting of the Ames City Council 04/07/1992MINUTES OF THE SPECIAL MEETING OF THE AMES CITY COUNCIL AMES, IOWA APRIL 7, 1992 The Ames City Council met in special session at 5:00 p.m. on Tuesday, April 7, 1992, in the City Council Chambers of the Ames City Hall, 515 Clark Avenue, pursuant to law with Mayor Pro Tem Parks presiding and the following Council Members present: Campbell, Hertz, and Wirth. Council Members Brown and Hoffman arrived at 5:15 p.m. CONSENT AGENDA: Moved by Campbell, seconded by Wirth, to approve the following items on the Consent Agenda. 1. Motion to approve minutes of the special meeting of March 17, 1992. 2. Motion to approve banner application from Public Art Policy and Acquisition Committee including waiver of the fee and extension of display time. 3. RESOLUTION NO. 92-111 approving contract and bond of Ames Trenching and Excavating, Inc. for the East Lincoln Way Ditch Enclosure Project. 4. Motion to approve a request from the Public Works Department to burn the crown vetch on Grand Avenue located on the banks by the railroad tressel. 5. RESOLUTION NO. 92-112 approving the contract and bond from The Dallas Company for the 1992 Joint Sealing Program. Roll Call Vote: 4-0. Resolutions declared adopted unanimously, signed by the Mayor, and hereby made a portion of these minutes. BETA THETA PI: Moved by Campbell, seconded by Wirth, to approve a request from Beta Theta Pi to allow underage people on the premises of The Coliseum while alcohol is being served on April 9, 1992, from 6:00 p.m. to 10:00 p.m. Vote on Motion: 4-0. Motion declared carried unanimously. CONSTRUCTION CODE WORKSHOP: Bob Kindred, Assistant City Manager, said that the goal for this workshop would be to finish discussing the Building Code, to finalize the question of whether to institute a registration system for contractors, and to begin discussing the Fire Code. Chief Parks led off by providing some background on ceiling height requirements, light and ventilation requirements, and requirements for egress windows in basements in both existing and new houses. He reminded everyone that the City of Ames is not writing a new code but adopting a code that has been in effect for approximately 65 years, and adapting portions of it slightly to fit unique aspects of this community. Council Members Brown and Hoffman arrived. Concerning basements, Chief Parks said that Staff recommends reducing the requirements for light and ventilation from ten percent of the floor area to zero percent in existing basements and placing the requirement at five percent of the floor area in new homes. In existing basements ventilation and light will simply have to be provided mechanically and electrically. He also recommended "grandfathering" existing basements with a 7' ceiling height and requiring a 7'6" ceiling height for new basements. Chief Parks indicated that Staff's recommendation for egress windows in new owner occupied houses is to require an egress window in all basements whether there is habitable space there or not to allow two means of egress. He stated that the Homebuilders disagree with this recommendation and want an egress window required only if there is habitable space in the basement. John Hunziker, Hunziker Construction, told the Council that it would cost between $800 to $1,200 to include an egress window in a basement during initial construction, with the cost possibly doubling if it was added after construction was complete. He indicated his belief that homeowners should be responsible for meeting Code requirements if they choose to finish their basements at a later date. Chief Parks emphasized that a basement does not have to be finished to be considered habitable. Ted Grob, Midland Homes, stated that the requirement for an egress window in a basement was dropped from the State Code and should also be dropped from the City Code. He provided statistics to support his belief that egress windows are not necessary for fire safety reasons and that they make homes less affordable. Chief Parks and Don Jackson, Housing Official, informed those present that the State Code still requires a basement egress window if there is habitable space in the basement. Mr. Kindred said that the Council has to weigh cost versus safety in their decision concerning egress windows. John Hunziker said that since early fire detection systems have been improved, egress windows are not so important. Council Members Wirth and Campbell pointed out that there is a high probability that most basements will become habitable even if they are not in the beginning. Therefore, they recommended including a basement egress window in construction. However, Council Member Hertz said that she would not support such a requirement since she does not sense a need for it. Virgil Graham, Construction Superintendent with Midland Homes, stated that it wouldn't be much more expensive to add an egress window after construction of a basement is complete. Moved by Brown, seconded by Hertz, to not require an egress window in a basement at the time of construction, but to require one if the space becomes habitable at a later date. Vote on Motion: 4-2. Voting Aye: Brown, Hertz, Hoffman, and Parks. Voting Nay: Campbell and Wirth. Motion declared carried. Council Member Brown emphasized that a clear definition needs to be established for "habitable". Mr. Kindred recommended to the Council that egress windows be required in sleeping rooms in existing basements. Everyone agreed with that recommendation since it parallels the decision arrived at for new basements. Mr. Kindred stated that a draft registration form for contractors has been completed which is very simple. Mr. Newbrough said that he approved of the registration and insurance requirement for contractors but he did not agree that the City should have the authority to revoke a contractor's ability to work in Ames. Judy Parks, Assistant City Attorney, said that the building permit process, which the City currently uses, only allows the City to stop poor work by a contractor on a site by site basis, while a registration procedure would allow the City to prevent a bad contractor from doing work throughout the City. She pointed out that the process of State registration is set up for different reasons and should not be counted on to halt a contractor that has caused problems. Council Members Brown and Wirth left the meeting at 6:40 p.m. Mr. Kindred emphasized that contractors would only have to complete a one-page, simple form and provide proof of insurance. Mr. Newbrough again agreed with the simple form but expressed disagreement with revocation possibilities. City Attorney Klaus explained that under the registration process, two violations would be grounds for suspension and three would be grounds for revocation. There was general agreement that the registration process should be tried. Discussion moved to Section 5.199 regarding poured trench foundations. It was decided to skip over this topic for now and allow the Appeal Board to the Building Code to deal with it during the six month interim before the revisions to the Building Code become effective. Concerning Section 5.130, it was determined that there was agreement between Staff and the Homebuilders on the need for a section on dangerous buildings but agreement was lacking on the number of words needed to say it. City Attorney Klaus suggested that the people that administer the Building Code will be aided by examples being provided. He said that examples create more enforceability. The Council agreed to retain Staff recommended language in this section. The City Council decided to consult professionals concerning the sign ordinance before making any changes. Concerning Section 5.313 on house moving fees, the Council agreed to use Staff recommended language. COMMENTS: The next meeting to continue discussion of the construction codes will take place at 5:00 p.m. on May 19, 1992. ADJOURNMENT: The meeting was adjourned at 7:15 p.m. ________________________________________________________________________ Nancy Dionigi, City Clerk Larry R. Curtis, Mayor