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