Minnesota Building Permit Technicians Association
Volume 13, Issue 4
July/August 2010
“The goal of the Minnesota Building Permits Technicians Association is to
provide, promote, and support education, networking,
professionalism, certification, and recognition of its membership.”
Minimum “fixed fee” state building permit surcharge changes for a year
Officers:
President
Barb Williams - City of Otsego
8899 Nashua Avenue NE
Otsego, MN 55330
763-441-2593 • fax 763-441-8823
barb@ci.otsego.mn.us
Vice-President
Michele Engberg - Goodhue Co.
509 West Fifth Street
Red Wing, MN 55066
651-385-3114 • fax 651-385-3106
michele.engberg@co.goodhue.mn.us
Secretary I
Barb Benesch - City of Mounds View
2401 County Highway 10
Mounds View, MN 55112
763-717-4028 • fax 763-717-4019
Barb.benesch@ci.mounds-view.mn.us
Secretary II
May Vang - City of New Brighton
803 Old Highway 8 NW
New Brighton, MN 55112
651-638-2043 • fax 651-638-2044
may.vang@newbrightonmn.gov
Treasurer I
Patti Wasmund – Inspectron, Inc.
15120 Chippendale Ave S.
Rosemount, MN 55068
651-322-6626 • fax 651-322-7580
pwasmund@inspectroninc.com
Treasurer II
Position Vacant
Why is this surcharge changing for a year?
The Minnesota Statutes § 326B.148 "SURCHARGE" has been changed for one year effective July 1,
2010, until June 30, 2011.
The change only applies to the "Permits based on Fixed Fees, Part 1" and "Permits based on Fixed
Fees, Part 2" portions of the Minnesota Department of Labor and Industry's (DLI) surcharge reporting form.
The minimum surcharge for a "fixed fee" permit is $5, beginning July 1, 2010

Municipalities must begin collecting the $5 minimum surcharge fee July 1, 2010, and continue to
collect the new minimum through June 30, 2011.
 If the fee collected for the "fixed fee" permit is less than $10,010, the surcharge is $5. Fixed fee
permits with a fee of less than $10,010 are reported in "Permits based on Fixed Fees, Part 1" of
the surcharge form.
 If the fee collected for the "fixed fee" permit exceeds $10,010, the fee is multiplied by .0005
because $10,010 is the point where the surcharge would increase to $5.01. Fixed fee permits
with a fee of $10,010 or more are reported in "Permits based on Fixed Fees, Part 2" of the
surcharge form.
 The remainder of the surcharge law did not change.
The change to the surcharge law is underlined below. Minnesota Statutes 2008, section 326B.148,
subdivision 1, is amended to read:
Subdivision 1. Computation. To defray the costs of administering sections
326B.101 to 326B.194, a surcharge is imposed on all permits issued by municipalities
in connection with the construction of or addition or alteration to buildings and
equipment or appurtenances after June 30, 1971. The commissioner may use any
surplus in surcharge receipts to award grants for code research and development
and education.
If the fee for the permit issued is fixed in amount the surcharge is equivalent to
one-half mill (.0005) of the fee or 50 cents, except that effective July 1, 2010, until
June 30, 2011, the permit surcharge is equivalent to one-half mill (.0005) of the fee
or $5, whichever amount is greater.
New surcharge forms online Aug. 2
New surcharge forms with the change will be available for reporting on the DLI Web
site Aug. 2, 2010. Go to http://www.dli.mn.gov/CCLD/Surcharge.asp to access the
report forms. The current reporting forms will be available until Aug. 2, 2010.
To complete or change a surcharge report after Aug. 2, 2010, for a month or quarter before July 2010, contact Cindy Chapel or Eileen McNiff at (651) 284-5411, or via
e-mail at Cynthia.Chapel@state.mn.us or Eileen.McNiff@state.mn.us
Source: http://www.dli.mn.gov/CCLD/SurchargeChange.asp
Page 1
Message from your President…...
Hi all!
2010
MBP
TA
INFO
RMA
TION
Annual MBPTA membership
dues vary by size and type of
your City or organization.
Memberships start as low as
$50 per year. The 2010
Membership Application can
be found at:
WWW.MBPTA.ORG
Benefits of Membership Include:
Quality Education and
Training Opportunities
Discounts on Seminar
Rates
Wide Variety
of Networking
Opportunities
Scholarships for Higher
Learning Programs for
Members and Children
of Members
Mail your completed
membership form and check
to:
Patti Wasmund – Inspectron, Inc.
15120 Chippendale Ave S.
Rosemount, MN 55068
651-322-6626 * fax 651-322-7580
pwasmund@inspectroninc.com
Make checks payable to:
MBPTA
Summer’s in full swing and yet it seems relatively quiet
within our industry, even though according to the
National Association of Home Builders, the Midwest
region reported a 31.6% gain in new home building (the
highest in the nation). Maintaining a positive outlook has
been awfully hard. In addition to our regular jobs,
budget cuts have forced us to do more with less. However, with the networking available to our members, we confidently deal with residents, other
city departments, our managers and councils. Not only does it feel good to
be knowledgeable in your profession, it is appreciated by everyone around
you. There is no better time than now to become a member of the MBPTA –
we’re here to help.
I wish to thank Geven Rabe from New Brighton for speaking at our meeting
last month. The energy code can be so complex but he helped us navigate
through it and even applied some examples that we’ve all run into. We appreciate our speakers so much for taking time out to help us learn more.
Our next meeting is Tuesday, July 27th at 9:30 – New Hope City Hall. I hope
to see you there!!
Barb Williams
MBPTA President
VOLUNTEERS
NEEDED:
MBPTA currently has
Openings on several
committees.
Just e-mail an
Officer if you are interested.
( N early all communications
MBPTA Committees:
• E DUCATION PLANNING
• B YLAWS
• C OMMUNICATIONS
are done through e-mail! )
Get Involved.
Volunteer today!
Page 2
RSVP
Contact
BarbBarb
Benesch at:
Benesch ator
763-717-4028
Barb.benesch@ci.
barb.benesch@ci.mounds
mounds-view.mn.us
view.mn.us
if you
if you are planning
to
are
attending
the
attend
the meeting.
JulyPlease
27thRSVP
meeting
by:
Next Meeting: July Tuesday, July 27, 2010
City of New Hope at 9:30 a.m.
Agenda
1. Call to Order
in New Hope.
2. Introductions
Friday, July 23rd
3. Approval of Minutes: May 18, 2010
4. Approval of Treasurer’s Report
5. Committee Reports A. Education Committee
i. U of M – Michele Engberg
Caring for our
Community
Highlight:

ii. Region III – Roger Axel
B. Communications Committee
Feed My
Starving
Children
Barb Williams/Barb Benesch
C. State Advisory Board
Linda Singer/Michele Engberg
(see page 8)
6. General Business
A. Volunteer Event
i. Ronald McDonald House - Patti Wasmund
ii. Feed My Starving Children—Katie Schlundt
B. Permit Tech – Question and Answer Review
C. Open Floor for Comments/Questions/Discussions
7. Adjournment
Caring for Our Community:
MBPTA meetings are
the LAST Tuesday of
every other month
at 9:30 a.m., unless
notified otherwise.

Cash or check donations for food to ―Hunger Solutions of MN‖. Please
make your checks payable to ―Hunger Solutions of MN‖ and thanks for
giving.

Toys for Tots (Donations are welcome during the Fall Education Day)
Page 3
~ MBPTA EDUCATION ~
How to Become a Certified Permit Technician
Books needed for the test
2006 IBC (chapters 1-3, 6, 12 and 34)
2006 International Zoning Code
2002 Legal Aspects
Basic Code Enforcement 8th printing
You Can Build It has been removed from the exam
Additional Study Material
ICC Study CD and ICC Permit Technician Study Companion
Flashcards
Exam Details and Fees
$180.00 computerized
60 multiple-choice questions—
Open Book - 2 hour limit
General Administration 39%
Legal Aspects 22%
Plans and Documents 25%
Zoning and Site Development 14%
For more information go to www.mbpta.org
“MBPTA LENDING LIBRARY”
MBPTA has the official books available to loan to
members to study for the ICC Permit Technician
exam. The books can be borrowed for up to two
months. It is suggested that you purchase the
“2006 Permit Technician Study Companion” from
ICC. This guide provides practice and test
questions that are used with the other books to
assist you in preparing for the test. There are
only 13 certified permit technicians in Minnesota. Our goal in 2010
is to see this number increase significantly. By providing these
books to members, we hope to encourage you to take the exam
and become a certified permit technician. The books available for
check out are: 2006 IBC, 2006 International, Zoning Code, 2002
Legal Aspects, Basic Code Enforcement 8th printing and the 2006
July 27 – New Hope
September 28 – Maple Grove
October 28 – TBD (Annual Fall Education)
November 23 (ABM) – Otsego
ICC Contacts: 1-888-ICC-SAFE, (422-7233)
Web address:
www.iccsafe.org
Do you have
an idea for
a meeting
topic????
Do you know of
someone who would
like to speak at one of
our meetings? Please
contact an MBPTA
officer with your
suggestions. We will
appreciate your ideas!
Page 4
Minnesota Building Permit
Technicians Association
Education is a primary goal of the Minnesota Building Permit Technicians Association. Each association
meeting has an educational component and a number of annual events are planned with the permit technician in
mind.
Check our newsletters and the Website for specific information on educational opportunities. In the meanwhile,
mark your calendars with the dates of some very promising events that are in the planning stages!
Fall Education
Date:
Thursday 28 October 2010
Where:
Area Hotel or Convention Center, To Be Determined
This day-long event will highlight two special guest presenters. In the morning, Bill Joynes will focus on
professional ethics. In the afternoon, Rick Breezee will address a yet-to-be-determined building code topic.
More details coming!
Annual Institute for Building Officials
Date:
Monday 10 January through Friday 14 January 2011
Where:
Continuing Education and Conference Center
University of Minnesota, Saint Paul Campus
This week in January will be packed with opportunities! There are two particular sessions to highlight at this
time. Matt Simoneau (Blaine, Minnesota) is developing a program to be offered on Tuesday 11 January 2011.
Roxanne Michael (Bellingham, Washington) is developing a program to be offered on Friday 14 January 2011.
Both programs are in the planning stages. However, expect that Matt’s program will have a building code basis
and Roxanne’s program will have a professional development basis.
ICC Region III / AMBO Institute
Date:
Monday 7 February through Friday 11 February 2011
Where:
The Northland Inn
Brooklyn Park, Minnesota
Planning for this week-long institute is in high gear! If you miss Bill Joynes in the Fall, you can catch him in
February. He will have a full day of professional development to include ethics for the workplace. Barb Hoese
will be returning in the professional development track. Specialty programs will include a number of offerings
that tackle energy conservation and green building. Peter Kulczyk will be among the green-building presenters.
In addition to sessions for professional development and green building, there are tracks for plumbing,
mechanical, fire, housing, and building. Look for Russell Thornburg and Greg Karow to address residential
code topics. Look for Steve Thomas, Doug Thornburg, and Greg Karow to address IBC topics.
SAVE THE DATES !
Page 5
Permit Tech Test Questions
07-27-2010 Meeting
1. Which of the following items is not required in an efficiency?
A. Kitchen sink
B. Oven
C. Refrigeration Facility
D. Ventilation
Ref. IBC* 1208.4
2. The occupied interior living space shall be kept at 68 degrees at a point of ___ feet.
A. 2
B. 3
C. 4
D. 5
Ref. IBC* 1204.1
3. The use of combustible piping materials shall be permitted when installed in accordance with
the
A. International Fire Code
B. International Mechanical Code
C. International Plumbing Code
D. International Building Code
Ref. IBC * 603.1.2
4. A party wall is also a firewall
A. True
B. False
Ref. Legal Aspects, Chapter 9
5. A Zoning Ordinance is a
A. Regulation
B. Guideline
C. Adopted Procedure
D. Local Law
Ref. Legal Aspects, Chapter 9
*IBC = International Building Code
**IRC = International Residential Code
***IZC = International Zoning Code
Answers on Page 9…...
Page 6
DRAFT MINUTES -Tuesday, May 18, 2010 - Mounds View City Hall
The meeting was called to order at 9:42 am by Vice-President Engberg. The following officers
were present: President, Barb Williams (arrived at 9:45); Vice-President, Michele Engberg;
Secretary I, Barb Benesch; and Secretary II, May Vang. The following members and guests
were present: Jeanne Witczek, Debi Close, Gail Keykal, Katie Schlundt, Patti Dillon, Connie
Duellman, Jackie Onischuk, Jeanne McManus, JoAnne Beckes, and Linda Singer.
Introductions took place.
Member Onischuk made a motion, seconded by Member Keykal, to approve the minutes of
March 30, 2010. The motion passed unanimously.
In Treasurer Wasmund’s absence, Vice-President Engberg gave the Treasurer’s Report for AprilMay 2010 reporting a beginning balance of $9,162.20 with total expenses of $360.40 and
deposits of $55.22 for an ending balance of $8,857.02. Member Witczek made a motion,
seconded by Member Onischuk, to approve the Treasurer’s Report as presented. The motion
passed unanimously.
Committee Reports
Education
U of M and Region III – Vice-President Engberg reported that the U of M AIBO Planning
Committee will meet today. She noted that the institute is planning to have education related
to permit techs for two days. She added that the Matt Simoneau indicated he could be an
instructor for the first day. She added that the second day of education would be less code
related and more professional development related. She also noted that Roxanne Michaels
was a possible speaker for that day.
Communications Committee
There was no report.
President Barb Williams reported that a beginning matrix of the sessions for the 2010
Region III Institute has been drafted. The number of tracks has been reduced from
previous years to possibly five or six. She wanted to make sure members were aware
that the classes being offered would not be listed as ―permit technician‖ offerings and
would be titled something like ―professional track‖ or ―administrative track‖.
State Advisory Board
Vice-President Engberg reminded members that the BIT A.A.S. degree will more than
likely be eliminated from the degree program. She noted that an advisory board
meeting would be held this upcoming Thursday, May 27th.
General Business
Volunteer Event
Ronald McDonald House – Treasurer I Wasmund was absent and was unable to report
on this event. The board discussed, however, sending out an e-mail to find out who
Continued on next page….
Page 7
would be interested in participating once Member Wasmund collected more information.
Feed My Starving Children – President Williams noted that Member Schlundt had put
together an e-mail that was sent out regarding this event. A possible date was discussed
and it was the consensus of the group that Member Schlundt research available dates for
mid- to late-August and that this information and a sign-up sheet be available at our July
meeting.
Permit Tech Questions
President Williams reviewed the Permit Tech questions and answers that were in our May/
June newsletter.
Open Floor for Comments/Questions/Discussions – There were no comments or questions
from the floor.
Adjournment
With no further business, there was a motion by Member Benesch, seconded by Member
Witczek, to adjourn the meeting at 10:05 a.m.
Continued from page 7
Page 8
Volunteer
Charity Event:
When:
Thursday, August 19th
From 2:30 to 4:30 pm (arrive @ 2:15
sign-in and presentation)
Where:
401 93rd Ave, Coon Rapids. (near the
intersection of 93rd and Coon Rapids
Blvd)
Answers to Permit Tech
Questions:
ANSWERS FROM PAGE 6
1) B. Oven
2) B. 3
3) B. International Mechanical Code
C. International Plumbing Code
4) A. True
5) D. Local Law
To get more information and directions go to their
website- www.fmsc.org or contact Katie Schlundt @
katie.schlundt@ci.roseville.mn.us
A special thank you to Geven Rabe,
Building Inspector for New Brighton,
for giving a presentation on the new
Energy Code and what front line
Building Department staff need to know.
New Hope City Hall
From East:
Take 94 West to Highway 394
West Highway 394 to State Highway 169
North Highway 169 to Rockford Road (County 9)
East county Road 9 to third stop light
North (left) on Xylon Avenue
From North or West:
Take 94/694 East to State Highway 169
South Highway 169 to Rockford Road (County 9)
East County Road 9 to third stop light
North (left) on Xylon Avenue
From South:
Take 35w to 494
West 494 to State Highway 169
North Highway 169 to Rockford Road (County 9)
East County Road 9 to third stop light
North (left) on Xylon Avenue
New Rules for Roofers
A growing number of roofing
contractors are trying to convince homeowners to
replace roof that don’t necessary need
replacement. Critics say that their aggressive
marketing tactics are driving up insurance costs,
and a new law is designed to stop them.
Sponsored by Rep. Phil Sterner (DFLRosemount) and Sen. Kathy Saltzman (DFLWoodbury), the law prohibits a residential roofer
from advertising to consumers that they will pay
part or all of a homeowner’s insurance deductible in
a roofing claim. Roofers who violate the provision
can be sued for damages by either the homeowner
or their insurer.
The law also states that homeowners
have the right to cancel with a roofer within 72
hours of being notified that their insurance claim
has been denied. Roofing contractors must provide
consumers with written notification of their right to
cancel a contract, and must refund any payments to
the homeowner within 10 days of cancellation.
Sources: http://www.house.leg.state.mn.us/
sessionweekly/art.asp?
ls_year=86&issueid_=61&storyid=2004&year_=2010
Page 9
Roxanne Michael, CBO, AICP
Over Roxanne’s life experience as a Certified
Building Official she has been able to improve
permit turnaround times from eight to two
weeks during periods of high, seasonal construction activity, while
greatly improving customer service and teamwork throughout more
than one department. While under Roxanne’s capable leadership for 15
years in Skagit County, WA, she was able to increase the training
budget from $1000 to $20,000. This helped the county attain an ISO
BCEGS rating of class 2 as well as contributing to great staff. She recently assisted another city as Director of Development Services and a
county to attain ratings of 3. Her strong vision of treating people well,
getting those permits issued , community education and staff training
has led to successful code administration. While Roxanne has been the
Building Official most of her 25 years in the business, for both city and
county building departments, she has also worked adeptly as the Planning Director for three jurisdictions in the Pacific Northwest and has
had her own code consulting and training business. She has served as
the Code Enforcement Official, back up Fire Marshal, Permit Technician,
Plans Examiner and Inspector. Through a lifetime of hands-on code administration Roxanne is most interested in training and improving department operations. She has been active at every level of departmental, regional, state and international involvement in the codes. She has
been President of the NWICBO chapter and of WABO while chairing and
serving on many ICBO & ICC committees. She is currently serving on an
ICC code development committee, instructing and coaching as well as
working part-time for Whatcom County; assisting the Building Official
with strategic plans, ordinance adoption, budget, plan review, inspection and instruction! Roxanne was instrumental in creating a statewide
ICC/WABO video on the safety role of the Building Department. She
also instructs and assists ICC on a contract basis .
NEWSLETTER EDITOR INFORMATION
As always, please make sure you send
all RSVP’s and mailing list information to
Barb Benesch. You only need to RSVP if
you are coming to the meeting. You
need not respond if you will not be able
to make it (unless you are an officer).
If your e-mail address changes or if you
change places of employment, please
let us know so that we can update our e
-mail list! Thank you!!
We would love to receive articles for
this newsletter! If you have any information, ideas or tidbits you would like
to share, let us know.
Barb Benesch, Secretary I
Fax (763) 717-4019
Phone (763) 717-4028
barb.benesch@ci.mounds-view.mn.us
May Vang, Secretary II
Fax (651) 638-2044
Phone (651) 638-2050
may.vang@newbrightonmn.gov
RoxanneMichaelV@gmail.com (360) 671-1345 Phone & Fax
Permit Technician Program
If you would like information regarding the Building
Permit Technician program, you can obtain information by visiting the Inver Hills Community College website at
www.inverhills.edu or the North Hennepin Community College
website at www.nhcc.edu/schedule/. The courses are under
“Building Permit Technology. Or you can check out our website
at www.MBPTA.org
Page 10