HomeMy WebLinkAbout02261980SEBASTIAN CONSTRUCTION BOARD MEETING February 26, 1980
Ail members present.
Also present were:
Dan Kilbride, City Attorney
Raymond Mangicapra, Ray Capra, Inc.
John Lyons, Superintendent, Ray Capra, Inc.
Frank Oberbeck, Oberbeck & Peters
Mr. & Mrs. Kenneth Conners
This was a special called meeting for a hearing on the suspension of Kenneth
Conners' Electrical Contractors License.
All Board members reviewed the minutes of previous meetings on January 9, 1979,
March 13, 1979, and April 11, 1979. Mr. Conners' license was suspended as.of
April 11, 1979 for failure to correct'electric problems on a house built for
Frank Oberbeck on 461 SW Hazel Street. Mrz.Conners first statement was that
he was not responsible for the house because he was working for Aztec Home
Builders. He also stated that there was nothing wrong with the electrical work
that would be dangerous to anyone. All the work was~corrected by the dead-line
set by the Board. Mr. Conners asked the Board to explain what was wrong and
what was the reason for the suspension.
There was much discussion as to the actions of the Board on this matter. It
was.pointed ou~by Chairman Ed schmucker that several certified letters were
sent to Mr. Conners and every attempt was made to make him aware of. the problems
and the action the Board was going to take.
Mr. Conners asked about the electrical p~oblems. They are:
1. Cover over outlet by the water heater.
~ 2. Electrical outlet Under water line in kitchen.
3. Circuit Breaker for Air Conditioning
Mr. Conners stated that the circuit breaker was installed before the dead-line.
The outlet under the kitchen sink was put there for the dishwasher
disposal; therefore, there was no reason for it to be any different
This was not in violation of the National Electric Code, but any inspector
that finds an outlet in that position would have it moved. The outlet should
be off-set to the side, not directly under the water line.
Mr. Palluch then stated that the reason for the suspension was not so mUch ~he
infraction of the codes, but the fact that the Board tried repeatedly to contact
Mr. Conners but he never gave the Board the courtesy of answering any of' the
four certified letters that was sent to him. Mr. Conners said he misunderstood
the letters. He thought he was to contact the Board if he did not intend to do
the work. The work was completed before the deadline of the last letter~ He
also stated that Mr. Oberbeck did not work with him in letting him in the house
to complete the work. All the work was completed except moving the outlet, under
the sink, which Mr. Conners felt was not necessary.
Mr. Oberbeck made a brief statement outlining all Of the ~ectrical problems.
He also stated that Mr. Conners had every opportunity to get into the house. His
office is right in town and his wife just went to work this past February, so
she was home most of the time. He had to call in an air conditioning man to correct
the heat p~oblem.
Page 2
Mr. Palluch's opinion was the Board should stand by their previous decision
which was that until Mr. Oberbeck's complaints were satisfied, noa action
could be taken to re-instate Mr. Conner's license.
Mr. Oberbeck was questioned by the Board as to what could be done to satisfy
his complaints. There is much discussion at this point as to the~any faults
with the house. Since this is a hearing on the electrical problems only, Mr.
Conners was instructed by the Board to correct the two remaining problems.
1. The outlet cover by the water heater.
2. Move the outlet under the kitchen sink.
The circuit breaker.'for the heater was corrected the day before the Board
meeting of April 11, 1979. Art Mayer was asked to go with Mr. Conners to
Mr. Oberbeck's home on Saturday, March 1st and correct these two items..The
~oard will discuss the matter of re-instating Mr. Conners license at the
next scheduled meeting. It was brought to the attention of the Board that
Mr. Conners was doing electrical work withouta license. DiscusSion of this
matter was tabled until the next meeting.
Mr. Ray Capra, ContractOr, asked the Board what could he do to continue th9
work on four houses which he has under construction at this time. Mr. c~pra
had obtained a list of contractors from the Building Department, in February
of last year. Mr. Conners' name was on the list as an electrical contractor.
The Board suggested to Mr. Capra to obtain a different contractor to complete
the ~lectrical work on these four houses from this point on. New permits
would have to be pulled. The Board would not permit Mr. Conners to complete
the work. Any work that has been inspected, would not have to be re-done.
Discussion of this matter was then closed, until.the next meeting of the. Board.
The next discussion was on the problem of contractors changing sub-contractor.s
without notifying the Building Department. Art Mayer asked the Board for
some type of procedure to use that would help alleviate this problem.
Ed Palluch suggested that all sub-contractors sign for and pick-up their own
permits for each job they have contracted to do. In the event that a Builder
changes subs in the middle of the job, the new contractor will be responsible
for the whole job.
There wasdiscussion of a release form to be signed by both~.contractors' This
was decided against at this time b6ca~se of the mmny aspects involved,· such as
the sub-contractor leaving town; or asking for money before signing a release-
There was a motion by Jim Harris that all Ele6tric, Plumbing, Air Conditioning
and Heating contractors pull and pay for the permits before the job is started.
Seconded by Ed Palluch.
Ail in favor, none opposed.
Page 3
There was discussion about the owner-builder problem discussed at the last
meeting. Ed Palluch and Art Mayer went to the City Council to try to get
a resolution passed requiring all applications for owner-builders to be
reviewed by the Board. The Council tabled the matter. The Building Depart-
ment has sent out letters to surrounding areas regarding this problem. We
are waiting for letters back. The Brevard County Building Officials have
formed their own association and they have told Art that he is welcome to
~oin. This will be discussed further at the next meeting.
The next meeting was set for'Wednesday, March 19th, at 9:00 a.m.