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1.
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Call to Order - Chairman Price called to order the meeting of the Inspections Fund Advisory Board (IFAB) at 8:30 a.m. on October 30, 2013, in Room 112 of the Escambia County Central Office Complex. |
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2.
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Determination of Quorum - Chairman Price confirmed a quorum of members were present. |
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3.
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Proof of Publication - Chairman Price, upon inquiry, confirmed the meeting date and time was properly advertised in the Pensacola News Journal on October 26, 2013. |
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4.
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Approval of Minutes - September 4, 2013, Inspection Fund Advisory Board (IFAB) Meeting. |
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Vice Chairman Thomas Henry, Karen P. Wright to approve the Minutes of the September 4, 2013 IFAB meeting.
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Vote: 5 - 0 - Unanimously |
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5.
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Report of Donald Mayo, Building Official. |
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A. |
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Mr. Mayo provided a status report from the Site Inspectors to the Building Inspectors. He advised that two site inspectors that were assigned BID are now under Development Services, whose fees support their own section. Mr. Mayo advised the site inspectors take care of erosion, sediment control and shared his thoughts on present day responsibilities of building inspectors versus site inspectors. Additionally, the fees charged for site inspections were discussed between Mr. Mayo, Board Members and Staff.
At this juncture, Mr. Mayo updated Members on the status of the Combination Inspectors, describing the duties and responsibilities that will be expected of them, as well as how the current responsibilities the Site Inspectors are related. |
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B. |
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Mr. Mayo provided an update regarding the Clerk of Courts' recording Notice of Commencements (NOC) at the time of application. He advised the current process is working and doesn't think the volume of what is recorded would cover the costs of a Clerk's employee being assigned to the COC. Ms. Peterson was requested to research other counties that have a different process for recording NOC's that doesn't include another level for contractor's and the public to complete. |
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6.
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Public forum - No speakers were present. |
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7.
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Old Business. |
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A. |
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Members were informed by Sue Garrett, Secretary to the Contractor Competency Board (CCB) and Board of Electrical Examiners (BOEE), of statistical information regarding the Contractor Licensing and Investigations Divisions of BID. Ms. Garrett advised Members that Accela technical support staff were scheduled to visit BID for a system assessment within the near future. Additionally, the Board was provided information, per a previous meeting request, regarding fines and fees collected during the past fiscal year by the Licensing and Investigations Division and the number of cases when fees were not collected. The Board was advised of the following:
1. The Contractor Competency Board is active and disciplinary hearings and contractor exam applications. Ms. Garrett gave an example of one contractor that had multiple counts of working without a permit, among other violations, of which the CCB found her guilty, fined over $5,000; and assessed administrative costs totaling over $2,000.
2. The Board of Electrical Examiners has seen very little activity in the past year.
3. As far as the last fiscal year, Members were informed that:
- 270 violation notices were issued.
- 268 cases were opened related to either unpermitted or unlicensed activities.
- 3 warrants were issued for Scheming to Defraud.
- 1 warrant for unlicensed contracting.
- 3 unpermitted construction.
- 1 Exploitation of the Elderly.
- 1 Grand Theft
- collected $6,700 in citation revenue.
- collected $12,290 in 2X's penalty fees assessed on 73 locations.
- $24,156 in regular Permitting fees resulting from unpermitted construction investigations.
4. Ms. Garrett advised that BID continues to move forward and is making progress in aggressively investigating unlicensed and unpermitted contruction activity in Escambia County.
5. Members were informed that the number of registered and locally licensed contractors is not available at this time.
6. Members and Staff continued with a brief question and answer discussion regarding the Accela Staff visit and Accela in-house Technical Support.
Upon inquiry, Ms. Garrett informed Members how the assessed fines for contractor violations are upheld by the County.
Further discussion was held inquiring as to the County's IT Department involvement with Accela and the necessity of having a dedicated Accela employee at BID.
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B. |
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Mr. Henry informed Members that he would be willing to accept reappointment to IFAB for another term. Ms. Peterson advised she would prepare the Board of County Commissioner Recommendation. |
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8.
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Gerald Wooten, BID Accountant, distributed and discussed BID's financial reports, advising of BID's Fund 406 current status and activity. Gerald announced that BID had experienced a surplus for the first time since the ecomony dropped. He also confirmed that all revenue was fee generated with no contribution from Reserves.
A brief discussion was held regarding BID establishing a comfortable 'minimum reserve' and estimated that $1.2 Million Dollar would be suffice based on past history. Gerald gave an example of a worst case scenario covering 18 months. Discussion continued regarding a $2 Million Dollar Reserve and what steps it would take to get to set an amount.
Members were advised that the Permitting Division, Electrical Division and Licensing Division experienced a loss with the Building Division experience much better. Discussion was held regarding the loss the Electrical Section continues to experience. Mr. Mayo commented that he would research the number of inspections performed by the Inspectors and other data to determine how the current fees could be a factor. It was suggested that it is time the Electrical Division is reviewed for purposes of determining what is necesssary, (i.e., increased permit fees, etc.). Members discussed the revenue difference between Electrical versus PGM; the possible skewing of numbers when Combination Inspectors perform crossover Inspections. Staff was directed to review the numbers regarding the possibility of permit fee increases, starting with the problem areas.
Gerald advised Members he would prepare a summary showing if the loss could be related to whether Inspectors assigned to the Electrical Division are now Combination Inspectors and are doing multiple trade inspections, or if there is an indication of other reasons. Discussion continued regarding the repetitive loss shown in the Electrical Division year after year and that it must be reviewed. It was requested that TSP's, for example, be reviewed to see if revenue is made or lost. It was requested that a cost analysis or break even recommendation be prepared based on the reserve lines over the last 3-4 years that would indicate where the break even point is in order to allow Members to look at a possible across the board increase or only in one area.
Members and Staff discussed the Administration Cost Distribution, confirming that BID currently has 32 employees; 74 employees in past years when business was at a peak.
Imposition of a credit card usage fee was discussed and it was recommended this be reviewed further.
Additional discussion was held regarding the Site Inspector fees, the areas a Site Inspector is responsible for, and who receives this fee when paid. Ms. Peterson advised Members that the stormwater fee for a new house, with less than 1000 sq. ft., and a house more than 1000 sq. ft, is $162. The charge for commercial construction is $81 for less than 100 sq. ft. and $270 for over 1000 sq. ft. Site Inspectors are paid from that fee. |
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John Harold, Vice Chairman Thomas Henry to establish a $2 Million Dollar floor for the Fund 406 Reserve Balance.
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Vote: 5 - 0 - Unanimously |
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9.
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New Items - Members expressed their thanks to Mr. Mayo for his leadership and to BID for its overal performance. |
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10.
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Adjournment. |
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John Harold, Vice Chairman Thomas Henry to adjourn the meeting.
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Vote: 5 - 0 - Unanimously |