FLORIDA BUILDING COMMISSION

ACCESSIBILITY ADVISORY COUNCIL

July 25, 2012

Chairman Jack Humburg called the meeting of the Accessibility Advisory Council to order at 2:00 P.M. on July 25, 2012. The meeting was conducted via webinar. Members present were Jack Humburg, Barbara Page, Bob Gerwe and Catherine Powell.

Review and Approval of Agenda: Barb Page moved to approve the agenda as published and following a second by Catherine Powell, the vote of the Council was unanimous.

Review and Approval of May 30, 2012 Meeting Minutes: Barb Page moved to approve the minutes and written and was seconded by Catherine Powell. The Council voted unanimous in favor of the motion.

Review of Applications for Waivers from Accessibility Code Requirements:

Indian River Networking, 200 Ocean Avenue, Suite 201, Melbourne Beach: The applicant requested a waiver from providing vertical accessibility to the second floor of a commercial building. An estimate of $109,082 for an elevator was submitted. The tenant, Eric Smith, was present for comments. He stated that no work was planned for his second floor offices and that if any modifications, such as firewalls, were required, the cost would be borne by the owner. There are no walk in clientele for the business, as staff either works via computer or make on-site visits to clients. Bob Gerwe moved to recommend granting the waiver, to the extent a waiver is necessary. Barb Page seconded the motion and the vote of the Council was unanimous in favor thereof.

Medical Offices for Prevecare, 123 North Krone Avenue, Homestead The applicant requested a waiver from providing vertical accessibility to the second floor of a two story medical office building with 2,995 square feet per floor. The building is undergoing a $110,216 alteration to the first floor only. All medical treatment will be done on the first floor with the second floor used for clerical offices. Although more than five employees will be located on the second floor, the Commission may consider disproportionate cost as a basis for granting the waiver. Estimates of $39,915 for a LULA and $83,966 for an elevator were submitted. Federal regulations require that any building housing the offices of a health care provider must an include an elevator to levels where such offices are available. Clarification from the Department of Justice defines such offices as: 1) For purposes of this paragraph (d) -

(i) Professional office of a health care provider means a location where a person or entity regulated by a State to provide professional services related to the physical or mental health of an individual makes such services available to the public. The facility housing the "professional office of a health care provider" only includes floor levels housing at least one health care provider, or any floor level designed or intended for use by at least one health care provider. Ian Iglesias was available to respond to questions. Catherine Powell moved to recommend granting the request, followed by a second from Bob Gerwe. The vote of the Council was unanimous in favor of the motion.

Xtreme Pool Challenge, 161 N. Atlantic Avenue, Cocoa Beach The applicant requested a waiver from providing vertical accessibility to the entrance and to all levels of a 2800 square foot two story split level with three levels. The applicant plans to hold pool tournaments and has no accessible features currently in the building. Bradley Wright and Gary Patrick represented the applicant. According to Mr. Wright, the principal method of seeing the matches will be online and the building is essentially a vehicle for streaming the activities. There is a limited amount of seating for invited guests. According to the applicant, no additional alterations are currently planned. Estimates of $100,000.00-$125,000.00 and $80,000.00 for an elevator was submitted and an estimate of $54,300.00 for the shaft. The value of the existing building is $170,000.00 to substantiate financial costs will be incurred by the owner if the waiver is denied. Bob Gerwe moved to recommend granting the waiver as an unnecessary hardship and following a second by Catherine Powell, the vote of the Council was as follows: Aye: Barbara Page and Bob Gerwe. Nay: Jack Humburg and Catherine Powell. No recommendation will be made to the Commission.

JTG of Vero Beach Ltd., 1940 58^th Avenue, Vero Beach The applicant is requesting a waiver from providing vertical accessibility to the second floor of an office building with two units on the first floor with 1650-1700 square feet each and a second floor with two units having 825-850 square feet each. The project consists of alterations to the first floor and building shell with an estimated cost of $260,000. An estimate of $115,000 for an elevator was submitted to substantiate financial costs will be incurred by the owner if the waiver is denied. The applicant was represented by John Dean and Tim Modesitt. Catherine Powell moved to recommend granting the waiver based on disproportionate cost, and was seconded by Barb Page. The vote of the Council was unanimous in favor of the motion.

Adams Street Advocates, 205 Adams Street, Tallahassee: The applicant requested a waiver from providing vertical accessibility to the second floor offices of a lobbying firm housing more than 5 persons. The project consists of interior alterations with an estimated cost of $220,000, including a lift at the entry of the building. More than 20% of the project cost will be for accessible elements. The applicant was represented by Barry Wilson, who previously submitted revised plans of the downstairs area, to confirm the toilet room will be in compliance with the code. Substantial financial costs will be incurred by the owner if the waiver is denied. Barb Page moved to recommend granting the request based on technical infeasibility, and following a second by Bob Gerwe, the vote of the Council was unanimous in favor of the motion.

There being no further business to come before the Council, the meeting adjourned at 3:25 P.M.