HomeMy WebLinkAbout~Master - Special Meeting of the Ames City Council 08/10/1992MINUTES OF THE SPECIAL MEETING
OF THE AMES CITY COUNCIL
AMES, IOWA AUGUST 10, 1992
The Ames City Council met in special session at 5:00 p.m. on Monday, August 10, 1992, in the City
Council Chambers in the City Hall, 515 Clark Avenue, pursuant to law with Mayor Pro Tem Parks
presiding and the following Council Members present: Campbell, Hoffman, and Wirth. Council
Members Brown and Hertz and Mayor Curtis were absent.
CONSTRUCTION CODE WORKSHOP: Assistant City Manager Kindred updated those present
regarding additional revisions to the Fire Code. He stated that in previous modifications to the
Fire Code, the Building Code Board of Appeals was inadvertently given jurisdiction over open
burning. Administrative jurisdiction over Section 8.113 which pertains to open burning will
instead be performed by the Fire Chief. Section 8.113(3)(e) had previously prohibited all open
fires within 20 feet of a structure. This section has also been clarified so that barbecue grills and
other outdoor cooking appliances may be used within 20 feet of a structure. All other open
burning shall still be located at least 20' away from any structure.
Moved by Hoffman, seconded by Wirth, approving Staff's revisions to allow the Fire Chief to
retain administrative jurisdiction over open burning laws and to allow barbecue grills and other
outdoor cooking appliances to be used within 20 feet of a structure.
Vote on Motion: 4-0. (Motion declared carried unanimously.)
Council Member Brown arrived.
Discussion was held regarding a revision to the Plumbing Code. Mr. Kindred reported that Staff
was withdrawing its proposal that approved contractors other than licensed plumbers be
permitted to install private storm sewers, private storm sewer services, and footing drain service
lines since the proposal did not receive backing from the development community.
The Council moved to a discussion of the Mechanical Code. Mayor Pro Tem Parks announced
that unless a motion was made to make revisions to any of the proposals recommended by Staff,
the Council would be accepting Staff recommendations. Mr. Kindred stated that the proposed
changes codify current practice and are mostly already in place. In reference to Section 32.103,
the Ames Homebuilders had suggested that the sentence be expanded regarding the Building
Code of Appeals authority over the Mechanical Code. Mr. Kindred reported that Staff will have
expanded language regarding this sentence when it comes back to the Council for final approval.
It was also requested that Section 32.105(1)B, which addresses those areas that would not
require a mechanical permit, be struck from the Mechanical Code as it would allow room for
misinterpretation.
Moved by Hoffman, seconded by Campbell, to delete Section 32.105(1)B from the Mechanical
Code.
Vote on Motion: 5-0. (Motion declared carried unanimously.)
Scott Stephan of C & K Heating, Air Conditioning, and Plumbing asked that Section 32.105(2)F
be clarified. The sentence states...."furnish such other data and information as may be required
by the building official." Mr. Stephan indicated that the sentence is very open-ended. Don
Jackson, Building Official, reported that this is a catch-all phrase and was put in because there
are so many types of mechanical installations that it would be hard to clarify. Mr. Jackson
suggested that it could be changed to read...."furnish such other technical data....". It was agreed
that Staff would change the language for this particular section and bring back corrected wording
for Council's final approval.
Discussion was also held regarding Section 32.110 which addresses fittings in concealed gas
piping. The section states that screw-type fittings, in lieu of welded joints, may be used in
concealed spaces only if accessibility is provided at each fitting location. Mr. Kindred reported
that the Uniform Building Code does not require that gas pipe fittings be welded which are
located in concealed places, however, the local gas company has followed this practice. It was
the general consensus that a letter be sent to the gas company in order to obtain their response
as to what practices are currentlyfollowed. Once an opinion is obtained from the local gas
company, this particular code section will be brought back to the Council for final approval.
At this time, the Electrical Code was discussed. Mr. Kindred reported that the proposal before
the Council would adopt the 1990 National Electrical Code. The Code sections have been
reviewed by the local electricians as well as the Electrical Board of Examiners. Jon Diller,
Chairman of the Electrical Board, had suggested that the requirement regarding grounding of
electrical services to water service lines be clarified. There is presently some room for
contradiction between the Plumbing and Electrical Codes regarding this requirement. The
proposed Plumbing Code states that water services are not to be used as a primary means of
grounding for electrical services, but only as a secondary means of grounding. The National
Electrical Code makes alternate requirements. However, with the approval of plastic water
services lines, it would not be at all appropriate for grounding on water services.
In regards to the adoption of the Electrical Code, Jon Diller suggested that, under Section
7.101(1), the year of the National Electrical Code be eliminated. If the year was to be left out,
it would be the intent of this section that the most current Code would always be followed.
Moved by Hoffman, seconded by Brown, to amend the proposed Electrical Code Section
7.101(1) by referencing that the most current edition of the National Electrical Code be followed
as of January 1 of the date of the Code.
Vote on Motion: 5-0. (Motion declared carried unanimously.)
Norman Rudi of Rudi-Lee-Dreyer & Associates, suggested that it might not hurt for the City's
building official to list the year the code is adhering to on plans when they are submitted for
permits. If problems should arise, it would be easy to ascertain which edition of the code was
being used.
Moved by Campbell, seconded by Hoffman, to reference the code edition on the approved plans
under any of the codes at the time the plans are approved.
Vote on Motion: 5-0. (Motion declared carried unanimously.)
Discussion was held regarding the Utility Code. Mr. Kindred explained that Chapter 28 holds
many different divisions, however, his particular discussion would be centered around the water
service division. He further explained that this section codifies what was previously in the
Water and Pollution Control Department's Policies and Procedures Manual. It was felt that it
would be appropriate to put these policies and procedures in the form of an ordinance.
Bob Friedrich, Jr., representing the Ames Homebuilders, stated that, in the case of new
construction, consideration might be given to utilize plumbers instead of City Water Meter
Department employees for the installation of water meters. In regards to Section 28.214, Mr.
Friedrich further stated that he had some concerns about the ownership and repair of water
service connections in subdivisions which were completed many years ago. There have been
some problems when water service lines have had to be replaced underneath streets, and these
streets have had to be excavated in order to make repairs. Mr. Friedrich's main concerns dealt
with the ownership of the service lines. He did not feel it should be the property owner's or
developer's responsibility to incur costs for excavation and repair of water service lines in these
situations. Mayor Pro Tem Parks stated that this matter was more of a financial issue and not
one that dealt specifically with the Utility Code. He suggested that Mr. Friedrich might wish to
bring his concern regarding ownership of the water service utility line before the City Council
at an annual budget meeting.
John Weiss, Jr., of C & K Heating, Air Conditioning and Plumbing asked if contractors, when
making repairs to undersized service lines, would be required to replace those lines with piping
materials of the proper size. Mr. Kindred responded that this requirement was already in place
and there is no intent to change the current practice.
COMMENTS: Moved by Campbell, seconded by Brown, to set September 8, 1992, as the final
meeting date for the Construction Code.
Vote on Motion: 5-0. (Motion declared carried unanimously.)
Mr. Kindred explained to the Council that during the next year a federally mandated back-flow
prevention program will have an impact on the Plumbing Code. Even though the City is coming
out from under the State Uniform Building Code and Plumbing Code, the State Health
Department has also adopted provisions of the Uniform Plumbing Code. It is not known at this
time whether the City will still be covered by the State plumbing provisions under the State
Health Department.
ADJOURNMENT: The meeting adjourned at 5:50 p.m.
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Jill Ripperger, Acting City Clerk Larry R. Curtis, Mayor
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