MINUTES: JULY 13,2000,IAEI SUNCOAST DIVISION, FLORIDA CHAPTER
GENERAL MEETING: TECO WESTERN DIVISION


INSPECTOR MEMBERS 10 ASSOCIATE MEMBERS 6


1.At 1:32PM, Nelson Montgomery presided the Suncoast Division’s regularly scheduled meeting. With the Pledge to the Flag and introductions completed, Rick Jones from the City of St. Petersburg was recognized. Nelson informed the Division that Rick is the new Chief for the City of St. Petersburg.


2.Secretray Christlieb read the June minutes aloud. Mel Hill motioned for acceptance of the minutes as read and a second voiced. On file with Secretary Christlieb are the following: copy of Section 2703 of the Florida Building Code; Copy of the DBPR May 2000 bulletin referencing Senate Bill 220; copy of letter from the IEC concerning college credits for the Apprenticeship Program; copy of e-mail to Secretary referencing beta testing for the Florida Unified Building Code Training Program;
copy of course to be conducted by Dick Widera, Essentials of Electrical Contracting Part I; copy of registration form for the August 19th seminar.


3.Our Treasurer, Ruben Rocha, made his report. No income or disbursements were reported. Balance remains unchanged. A first motion was made for acceptance of the Treasure’s report by Mel Hill and a second made by Dick Widera.

4. The Chair asked Secretary Christlieb for his report. The Secretary informed the Division about an online training program that is currently in the “beta” testing stage. The cost of the program is $35.00 and after completion of the 4-hour course, four Continuing Education Units (CEU’s) will be awarded.
This training course is part of the Florida Unified Building Code. Web address:
http://courses.cpd.fsu.edu/bctp/

The Secretary was informed that the CEU’s are equivalent to only .4 hours and not considered as part of the mandated continuing education hours. Universities only issue CEU’s. Dick clarified that according to college accreditation, .1 CEU for each hour of classroom work is awarded and not 1 hour of continuing education hours. The CEU gives the individual continuing education on an academic level. CEU’s are nationally recognized and the Continuing Education for the DPBR s strictly for the State of Florida. Dick also pointed out that if this online course were to be used towards the required hours, a course number would have to be displayed.

The Secretary thanked Dick for the clarification.

Discussion about the Florida Principles and Practice exam will no longer be done by the SBCCI. This exam will be administered via a computer-testing center in the near future.

5.NEW BUSINESS: Discussion about the IEC Apprenticeship Program and its sponsorship by Hillsborough Community College. Apprentices will be awarded college credits towards an Associate of Science Degree. Dick discussed some of the current class locations in Hillsborough, Pinellas and
Pasco counties.


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Mel Hill suggested inviting Tom Schmid with the IEC to come and talk to us about the new program.

Nelson Montgomery discussed the May 2000 bulletin from the DBPR concerning recently passed legislation of the “Bill of Rights”, Senate Bill 220 which recognizes Building Code Enforcement Officials employed by local jurisdiction s in the state as having police powers similar to law enforcement personnel, correctional officers and firefighters in the state, while in the execution of their duties of enforcing state building codes. This will go into effect on July 1. Discussion ensued and if further information is needed, the DBPR should be contacted. In essence, this allows the inspector to enforce the laws, not the power to arrest people. Primarily, this gives the Inspector the right to enter if there is reasonable doubt of a code violation on a property.


Ruben Rocha mentioned the seminar on August 19th at the Harborview Center. Cost is $70.00and includes: workbook, lunch and 8 CE hours. The instructor will be James Stallcup and the workbook will be Designing Electrical Systems, by James Stallcup.
Discussion on costs and attendance took place. Previous expenses were discussed for the seminar conducted in February.

Mel inquired about DickWidera’s upcoming class in August. Dick gladly informed that his course is 3 hours. This course is Tarry Baker’s and he has given permission to Dick to conduct the class. The fee is $35.00 to $40.00. A flyer has not been sent out. Dick has concerns about logistics for a large crowd. The class will be conducted on August 26, Saturday. Location yet to be determined and depends upon the numbers of people that will commit. This course covers OSHA, Workers Compensation and Business Practice.
Dick would like to see a large turnout and any funds left over after expenses will go to the Division.

Discussion on future mandates for sponsors to file with Tallahassee electronically.

Dick Widera took to the floor to discuss business.

Mel commented that you need people who are dedicated because it takes time to be involved. We need people to be involved. We are here because of the State. The Suncoast Division was formed in ’86 and it takes time for organizations to evolve.


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6.OLD BUSINESS: Secretary Christlieb showed Dick the current list of instructors from the State pool. Discussion about instructors commenced. Dick originally had representation from engineers, laboratories, and the Divisions. Dick commented that a year ago, other individuals thought it was to many, yet the State accepted the former list with no problem. Dick explained that Joe Bolesina and Dick are on the list. This means that either Joe or Dick have to be present while the other instructor does the course. Dick thinks a good idea to have a multitude selection of names on the list. The Board never has objected. Dick suggests sending a list to Lee Wansor, asked that these names be put on the list and that the list be forwarded to the education committee. For inclusion in the pool of instructors. . Dick explained that an instructor must be on a list of approved instructors, according to the ECLB. A Certification Affidavit is sent to the board when a class is instructed by an instructor not on the approved list, this states that an approved instructor was present, otherwise, the class is not recognized by the ECLB.

A BCAI certified Inspector or a state Certified Contractor may instruct.

Wes Colley with the Pinellas Chapter of the ECF discussed the Pinellas Chapter. They still have a lot of work to do. Wes mentioned an upcoming tabletop and he thanked the Chair form the support.


7. A motion to adjourn rang out from the back of the room and a second resounded the call. At 3:10 pm, the Suncoast Divisions meeting adjourned.