Florida Building Commission

Education POC Minutes

January 2008

 

POC Members Present: Dick Browdy (Chair), Jon Hamrick, Herminio Gonzalez, Steve Bassett

 

Meeting Attendees:

Cam Fentriss                                                   Bill Norkunas

Mark Reddinger                                              Dwight Wilkes

Joe Belcher                                                     Jack Glenn

Michael Clark                                     Lorraine Ross

Don Fuchs                                                      Bill Dumbaugh                                       

Bob McCormack                                            Sharon Mignardi

Ila Jones                                                         Sandi Robinson

Jane Waddell                                                  John O’Conner

Frank O’Neill                                     Med  Kopczynski

          

                                              

                                                                      

Meeting called to order at 1:00 pm., January 29, 2008

 

                       

1. Review and Approval of January 2008 Agenda

 

Motion: Steve Bassett

2nd:  Jon Hamrick

Approved Unanimously

 

 

2. Review and Approval of December 2007 Minutes

 

Motion: Steve Bassett

2nd:  Jon Hamrick

Approved Unanimously As Recorded

 

 

 

 

3. Discuss and/or review the results of the 120 Day Workgroup tasked with reviewing the current language regarding the start of the 120 day period when training providers are supposed to update advanced courses, to ensure consistent compliance.

 

The Chair stated that a workgroup met at 10: 00 am. this morning to discuss changes to the current language in 9B-70, which in part states that “Providers shall have 120 calendar days from the date of code adoption to update existing accredited courses affected by the code changes and submit for accreditation…”.

 

The Chair further stated that there was much discussion about this issue, which included timing considerations, code availability, board approval timing and processes, etc.

 

The Chair summarized by stating that it was the consensus of the providers and accreditors who attended the workgroup session, that all advanced courses should be updated by the effective date of the proposed code version, with this code’s effective date being October 1, 2008. He stated that Jim Richmond should draft new language regarding this issue, to be brought before the POC at the March meeting.

 

Motion: To accept the basis of the language changes made by the workgroup, to make the requirement of an updating course date be the same as the effective date of the new code version, which is October 1, 2008

Motion: Jon Hamrick

2nd:  Steve Bassett

Approved Unanimously

 

 

4. Discuss and/or respond to a summary of contract activities and deliverables, for the contract of “The Florida Building Code Compliance and Mitigation Program’, to be given by a representative from Building A Safer Florida, Inc.

 

The Chair asked Cam Fentriss to provide a summary of contract activities emanating from “The Florida Building Code Compliance and Mitigation Program” contract.

 

Cam described the Design and Construction Forum Group which met by conference call on January 28th.  She stated that this group took the place of the Education and Outreach Council. The Design and Construction Forum:

 

  • Was created to bring together a variety of design, construction, and related education industry experts to give input on education and outreach for architects, engineers, construction contractors, building code administrators and inspectors, landscape architects, and interior designers.
  • Is not a voting or formal group with duties and responsibilities like a regulatory board, etc.
  • Is a group that will express the thoughts and recommendations of the licensees and industries affected by the Florida Building Code (FBC), the Department of Business and Professional Regulation (DBPR), and the various related licensing boards.
  • Will be administered by Building A Safer Florida, Inc. (BASF) as part of a contract it has with the Department of Community Affairs (DCA). 
  • Meets quarterly (at least) to discuss specific issues (listed on an agenda) and general issues brought up by the DCF Members and other participants. Participants are welcome to attend any meeting by conference call.  Every attempt will be made to schedule quarterly meetings in conjunction with regular meetings of the Florida Building Commission.

 

Cam further described the make-up of the group to this point, stating that there are 2 sitting DBPR board members. Board members are part of this group to gain their perspective on issues of discussion.

 

Cam said that the purpose of the forum is to solicit input from industry representatives in an informal setting, to assist others (POC, FBC, DBPR) with meaningful decision-making.

 

Cam stated that the meeting on the 28th dealt with two issues, the 120 day course update language and the universal application. The results of the discussion are included in the summary report distributed to the POC members.

 

Cam suggested that if anyone has any ideas that merit future discussion by this group, to please email those ideas to Mark Reddinger (BASF).

 

The Chair stated that the Forum could be used as a type of needs assessment, based on the breadth of representation in the group.

 

The Chair asked Mark Reddinger about BCIS enhancements. Mark stated that ISF is working on them, including an Accreditor Application Guide. Mark stated that in the future, accreditors could fill out the paper version of the guide, and then transpose that information to the online version, which should make the process easier. No further discussion ensued or actions taken.

 

 

 

5. Identify and discuss other possible issues that need to be addressed regarding the language of 9B-70 (other than 120 day update language).

 

The Chair stated that Med Kopczynski raised an issue that coincided with the 120 day course update language changes that were discussed in agenda item # 3. The issue in question is that in current language 9B-70.002 (2), it states that accreditors will review courses reflecting the current edition of the code. This means that accreditors can’t accredit courses with a code version until after its effective date. So the language needs to be changed to include a proposed code version. The Chair stated that Jim Richmond be apprised of this and to create new language for the March POC meeting.

 

Motion: To adjust the accreditor review language in 9B-70002 (2) to match in intent the modified 120 day course update language

Motion: Jon Hamrick

2nd:  Steve Bassett

Approved Unanimously

 

 

 

6. Discuss any update information emanating from the Design and Construction Forum meeting.

 

The Chair stated that this item was discussed within agenda item #4, and that no further discussion was necessary. No further action was taken.

 

 

 

 

 

7. Review Pending “Accreditor” Applications for Recommendation to the Commission

(None pending)          

 

 

8. Review/Decide on Recommendation to Commission: BCIS Administratively Approved Updated Advanced Courses (None pending)

 

 

9.  Education Administrator Activity Report

The Education Administrator reported to the POC what activities he performed between December 13, 2007 and January 25, 2008. The following areas were reported on:

  • Phone calls handled
  • Emails handled
  • Correspondence written and sent
  • Meetings attended
  • Products developed (E.g., Course Audit process)

No comments were made or offered about the reports contents.

 

 

10. Identify future POC member discussion items.

 

Commissioner Bill Norkunas stated that enforcement standards regarding accessibility guidelines will be changing soon at the federal level. As a result of those changes, accessibility courses will have to be updated in a timely manner. Commissioner Norkunas stated that the time frame for this effort will be short, because the federal changes will have to be adopted in Florida law. He said that the course updates should occur before the revised standards become effective.

 

The Chair stated that at least, providers who have accessibility courses within the BCIS, could be notified about these changes in a proactive manner.

 

 

11. General Public Comment

 

There was no other public comment, other than what has been previously reported in the above agenda items.

 

 

12. Summary and Review of Meeting Work Products/Action Items, Assignments, and Next Steps

 

The Chair gave no other assignments, other than the proposed 9B-70 language changes to be made as part of the March POC agenda.

 

 

Adjourn (Adjourned at 1:47 pm.)

Motion: To adjourn

Motion: Herminio Gonzalez

2nd:  Steve Bassett

Approved Unanimously

 

 

 

Recommended Commission Actions

 

The following courses, under the ‘Accredited, Pending FBC Approval” status, were approved by the POC.

 

Course: Advanced FBC Voltage Drop

Provider: Jake Leahy’s Electrical Code Connector

Accreditor: BCIC LLC

BCIS #: 264.0

Motion: Course approved based on the FBC accreditation process that only verifies the accuracy of the Florida Building Code related content

Motion: Jon Hamrick

2nd: Steve Bassett

Approved Unanimously

 

 

Course: Home Study: FBC Advanced Course-Residential

Provider: Design Arts Seminars, Inc.

Accreditor: BCIC LLC

BCIS #: 263.0

Motion: Course approved based on the FBC accreditation process that only verifies the accuracy of the Florida Building Code related content

Motion: Jon Hamrick

2nd: Steve Bassett

Approved Unanimously

 

 

 

 

Note: This document is available in alternate formats upon request to the Department of Community Affairs, Codes and Standards, 255 Shumard Oak Blvd., Tallahassee, Fl. 32399, (850) 487 – 1824.