07.03 and 07.04 - State Building Code, Extractive Use Moratorium

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Building Codes Page 1 of 2 Sandy Peine 1-1--rom: Charles Marohn [cimarohn @yahoo.com] Sent: Monday, December 05, 2005 12:22 AM To: Sandy Peine; 'Dawn Bittner(E-mail)' Cc: 'LisaBeth Barajas' Subject: FW: Building Codes Importance: High Sandy, I did not solicit this, but I think Brooke read the council report for this month. Could you forward this to the council? Dawn, can you do likewise for the Planning Commission? I wonder if we should solicit letters since the Planning Commission's recommendation seemed to be based almost entirely on the lack of builder demand for the code and actually an assumed opposition that may not exist. -Chuck From: BROOKE SILVERNAIL [mailto:BR00KE.SILVERNAIL @nor-son.com] Sent: Friday, December 02, 2005 12:12 PM To: marohn @communitygrowth.com; cityhall @pequotlakes-mn.gov Cc: Architects; BOB SWEENEY Subject: Building Codes I—nortance: High We've been told by both Doreen Frost(AELSLAGID-Board of Registration, Executive Director) and Paul Heimkes, State Building Codes and Standards Division that both licensed professionals and licensed building contractors are obligated to build according to code whether or not they practice in "non-code" areas. While there is room for debate on this point, we believe our position as a company is that we intend to follow the building codes in all areas. This often times puts us at a great disadvantage because other builders who do not know or appreciate the codes can do it cheaper because they are not complying with the codes. The codes are there for the health, safety and welfare (HSW) of the public for residential and commercial projects. The State Board of Registration specifically requires licensed Architect to take 24 HSW credits every two years so we keep up on these codes and what is required so we can advise and design a quality project that protects the public. The adoption of codes only affects owner-builders (unlicensed individuals doing work on their own property)and those licensed builders who would violate code, given the need and opportunity. We get several calls a month from people who built with another contractor and have gotten burned with issues such as failing structures, mold, poor or no ventilation and moisture issues. These are serious problems and they are not an easy fix. Significant dollars have to be spent to fix them and they can't get their contractors back to do it. These contractors leave the Owners hanging with very little options except to spend it to fix it. Proper adoption, plan review and construction observation by a qualified/certified building inspector can alleviate many of these problems before they happen. Our position is that the adoption of the State building codes would only help strengthen the C=`v's protection of the public with duality, safe construction. If you have any questions .se feel free to call us. Thank you for asking for input from the professionals in the fl.eld of design and construction. 12/5/2005