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HomeMy WebLinkAboutM-88-0930CI" OF MIAMI. FLORIDA INtEROF�ItE /�MpRAADUM ro. Honorable Mayor and Members DATE October 3, 1988 R►lE of the City Commission ^ NUONCT Agenda I m 2 under Person Appe rances Octo r 6, 1 8 rROM William Brammeyer, Chairm Construction Industry Advir oaiAfERENces ENCLOSURES Attached please find an updated report which was reorganized for clarity and to conform with the proper format. Please consider this as a replacement for the report submitted with your agenda packets. Thank you for your attention in this natter. cc: Cesar H. Odio, City Manager Sergio Rodriguez, Asst. City Manager Jorge Fernandez, City Attorney Matty Hirai, City Clerk Aurelio Perez-Lugones, Legislative Ads. Edith Fuentes, Building 6 Zoning Dir. I 'ft CITY OF MIAMI CONSTRUCTION INDUSTRY ADVISORY BOARD 1. RECOMMENDATIONS: The Construction Industry Advisory Board unanimously recommends the following: A. PROCEDURES: 1. Computerization: Since 90% of plans processing and permitting procedures are done by the Building L Zoning Department, It Is strongly recommended the department be computerized. Despite the Initial cost and Inconvenience, the and result will be (1) better service for those obtaining permits, (2) a financial result for the City In Increased offlclency and (3) the ability to Instantly retrieve and communicate Informatlon with other city departments and other local departments within the county, regarding a variety of necessary subjects. 2. Centralization: ( a ) Centralization of enforcement and permitting procedures was perceived as a positive action that the management could also look Into. (b) It is recommended that the City Increase It Code Enforcement (Building b Zoning) and actively pursue violators. It has been proven that vigorous enforcement Is more than financially self-supporting. 3. Additional Personnel: To Improve and expedite existing procedures this Board recommends the creation of five (5) new positions In the permitting section of the Building A Zoning Department. 1 Expediter 1 Plans Processor Multi -disciplined plans examiners 5 Total additional personnel The permitting section needs an agQQSUTAL who will route and coordinate simple plans only to these departments/sections Involved and needed for approval. The plant examining section needs a L21IIaS_RLQ0LaILRL who will have the authority to approve simple plans and Items without the necessity of routing them to other sections. 8w�� it 4P A A YYlil_IIlt><1Qlln!_alan�_taa®1ntLt will step In to balance the work flow In areas where the processors are busy or away from work station. This wlII also enable plans processing to be open at all times Instead of dividing the hours between 'drop-off' and 'walk-thru'. Fire Department should consider having Inspectors in their plans processing eight (8) hours' a day. If It Is needed, they should have ant_a��tilanal_ingan�iaL for plans examining. 4. Others: It Is recommended that Building L Zoning Department get Involve with Inspection of docks and marinas, now performed only by the Public Works Department, since the Building b Zoning Department has certified and qualified trade Inspectors. B. LEGAL: The Board recommends that the City take a stronger and more active enforcement of law against unlicensed Individuals and/or entitles and construction activities with the additional personnel as requested. These Illegal activities are lost revenue for the City and also without the necessary approval/permits and Inspections, the structures would very well become a safety hazard. It Is strongly recommended that the City work/deal closely with the State Attorney'a office and different Dade County Boards to ensure proper coordination. Prosecution and follow up of violations and others could be moni- tored properly and closely. Close contact with the Department of Professional Regulation will also help the City In correcting Illegal work by licensed professionals doing work within the City. 11. BACKGROUND: It has been a desire of the City Manager's office and the Construction Industry for about two years, to see the creation of this Board. It was long overdue, but finally on September 14, 1987 the first meeting was called to order by Edith M. Fuentes, Building L Zoning Director for the City of Miami. There were approximately forty (40) different construction associations, homeowner/civic organizations, private companies, etc. that were notified of this meeting. A total of twenty five (25) were In attendance, In addition to City staff from City Manager's office, Building L Zoning, Fire, Planning, Public Works, and Law Departments. - 2 - At this meeting 8111 Brammeyer of Plumbing Contractor's Assocla- tion and Mel Yampolsky with ASPE (Miami Chapter) were elected chairman and vice-chairman respectively. Assistant City Manager, Walter L. Pierce briefly discussed the overviews and activities expected from this board. The Board discussed their own goals and objectives. it was emphasized that this Is an advisory board and is expected to study, review and come up with recommendations to the City Commission, -through the City Manager, on how to Improve services provided to the public by Building & Zoning, Fire, Planning and Public Works Departments. The board wlII review. comment and be guided by a manual of existing procedures prepared by the Plans Processing and Permltting Task Force put together by the Building & Zoning Department. A presentation was made by the task force. Ill. IMMEDIATE FINDINGS: After a thorough study and evaluation by the Construction Indus- try Advisory Board, the following is presented: A. EXISTING PROCEDURES: The Board finds most of the existing procedures to have Improved considerably the last year and a half. The manual that was presented by the Building L Zoning Department, Plans Processing and Permitting Procedures Task Force was complete and very helpful. It gives a full Idea of all the paperwork and time Involved In processing. The manual also suggested Improvements and identified areas where some have been Implemented. A few more Items need to be changed/Improved. B. LEVEL OF SERVICES/COOPERATION: The Board finds that the level of services at the City of Miami departments Is Indeed good compared to other municipalities. The level of cooperation extended to this board has been commend- able. Services are getting expeditious and efficient. City of Miami also has one of the shortest amount of time needed to process plane/permits application. C. COORDINATION: Departments are coordinated and are equally responsible as the others. Where there is lack of coordination, it was found that either there Is a shortage of personnel to handle the amount of work or there Is lack of personnel with the necessary technical background to help. IV. CONCLUSION: It Is a unanimous concurrence of the members of this Board that these recommendations be seriously considered by the City Commission and given proper attention. ft We OOuld like to commend the city staff for the cooperation attended to us during all these times. We will continue to meet and bring up Items and hopefully be able to call them to the attention of the administration. Our common goal Is to harmoniously work with everyone and still be able to Improve the services existing In the different departments. All of these could be achieved through the different Items we have recommended here. We thank you for giving us the opportunity to work on this task and be of help to the City. ------------------------------ ---------------------------- BI11 8rammeyer, Chairman Mel Yampolsky, Vice -Chairman CC: Sergio Rodriguez. Assistant City Manager Edith M. Fuentes, Building & Zoning Director C. H. Duke, Fire Chief Planning Department Don Cather. Public Works Director Board members - 4 - O"N EXCERPTS from minutes of monthly meetings: On October 13, 1987 the second meeting was held and presentations on plans processing procedures were made by the different depart- ments. Each trade (i.e. electrical, mechanical, plumbing, structural, etc.) was to be reviewed from the different sections of the procedure manual. The third meeting was held on November 10, 1987 where subcommit- tees were created and individuals were named to chair each commltee, conduct Independent meetings, and then prepare reports and submit them to the board. Dade County Code Enforcement made a presentation regarding existing conditions of docks and marinas, within the City. The fourth meeting on December 8, 1987 continued the discussion on docks and marinas. A member of the Dade County Board of Rules and Appeals notified the board of a proposed amendment specifically addressing marinas. Jurisdictional Issues will be researched by G. MIrIam Maer, Assistant City Attorney for the City of Miami. On January 12, 1988 the fifth meeting was held with Mr. Harry Touby, General Contractor discussing suggestions he had submitted to Commissioner J. L. Plummer. Several sub -committee's reports were also taken but all reports will be submitted and finalized at the February meeting. The sixth meeting was held on February 9, 1988 at which time discussion concerning the purpose and objective of this board was again made. The board agreed that budgetary matters belong to the City Manager and are not our concern, however, the Industry's opinion does carry a lot of weight. G. Miriam Maer advised the Board that an amendment to the South Florida Building Code was pending and the City Attorney's office could not opine on the Issue of docks and marinas, until the proposed amendment was adopted by Dade County. Assistant City Manager, Sergio E. Rodriguez advised the board how matters should be presented to the City Commission after running things through the Law Department and Building 6 Zoning Department. Other matters were discussed, particularly the statewide problem of unlicensed Individuals. On March 9. 1988 the seventh meeting Included a presentation from Hector Lima, Chief of Building Code Enforcement Section. He provided the Board with an update of the pending cases, projects and accomplishments of his section. The subject of unlicensed Individuals was again brought up. Jo King Reid, Zoning Inspector 11, discussed zoning code enforcement and Code Enforcement Board procedures. The Director of the Building and Zoning Department announced that monthly seminars had commenced In October of 1987 presented by all the different sections of the department and it was open to the Industry, the public and anyone Interested In finding out about rules and procedures. She also encouraged the members of this Board to attend. The seminars were very well accepted. - 5 - 88--930 I _% it V Chief lutes from the Fire Department advised the Board of their department's Inspection procedures and forms. Update on the sub- committees were taken up. Reports should be submitted whenever the commlttee feels that they have done their )ob. Most of the Board members commented that they found that a lot of the procedures In theThe Plans Processing and Permit Procedure Manual provided to them Initially are already In place and Implemented. Some of their suggestions were already In the works. The manual Is acceptable to them and very helpful. The April 13, 1988 (8th) meeting was held with this board requesting that a representative from the City Manager's office and Law Department be present always. Building and Zoning Department announced to the Board that they are making the necessary arrangements to have Information regarding requests and requirements on permits, plans processing, licenses, etc. disseminated through television channels 23 and 51. Building and Zoning Department are also trying to get articles published In the different newspapers. Discussion on the necessity of computerizing the Building and Zoning Department was held. The draft for City Commission report must be ready for the next meeting. Mr. Barbanera of Public Works Department gave a report on their procedures. The ninth meeting was held May 11, 1988. Assistant City Manager, Sergio Rodriguez made a short comment regarding complaint received by a City Commissioner. Discussion on the format of the report, finding and recommendations to be presented to the City Commission followed. The Chairman listed some of the highlights that he thought should be Included In the report (i.e. procedures for processing plans and pulling permits. Importance of having ombudsman, walk-thru hours, computerization of the Building and Zoning Department, Temporary Certificates of Occupancy, bonuses, etc.). It was suggested that a preliminary draft be worked on and presented at the next board meeting. The June 9, 1988 meeting was cancelled by the Chairman. The tenth meeting of July 13, 1988 was held and the board contin- ued workshop/discussion In preparation of report for presentation to the City Commission. Procedures on how to approach the City Commission was also discussed. It was agreed that Edith M. Fuentes, Building & Zoning Director and G. Miriam Maer, Assistant City Attorney should get together and prepare the final draft of the outline for presentation. The August 10, 1988 meeting was a continuation of the review on the draft for presentaton to the City Commission through the City Manager. Bill Brammeyer, Chairman and Mel Yampolsky, Vice - Chairman, will appear before the City Commission at their September 22, 1988 meeting. - 6 - �"930 ^1 T CONSTRUCTION INDUSTRY ADVISORY SOARD MAILING LIST Miami Sunders Exchange 44 N.E. 6th Street Miami, Florida 33132 Underground Contractors Assoclatlon of South Fla. 3300 University Drive Coral Springs, Fla. 33065 Volvo Ranson, Dlr. Contractors Training a Development 5800 N.W. 7th Avenue Miami, Fla. 33127 Jose A. Golabert-Navia AIA 2420-A S.W. 27th Avenue Miami, Fla. 333145 , Mr. Earl F. Belgau 3148 N.W. 98th Street Miami, Fla. 33147 Mr. Bennet Pumo Pumo Enterprises 7327 N.W. Miami Court ]Miami, Fla. 33150-3599 Jose Luis Ortega, Vice Pros. Better Construction Inc. 2835 S.W. 3rd Avenue Miami, Fla. 33129 Mr. Robert Green The Green Companies 9100 South Dadeland Blvd. FN2 Miami, Fla. 33156 Mr. Richard Jones Associated Swimming Pool Ind. 6822 S.W. 81st Street Miami. Fla. 33143 Ms. Margaret Pass Building & Zoning Director 405 Blltmore Way Coral Gables, Fla. 33134 Mr. Douglas Orr Plumbing Contractors Assoc. 301 Glager Drive Miami Springs. Fla. 33166 - 1 - At I T Mr. Peter Padowitz Certified Construction Inspectors 7899 N.E. Bayehore Court Miami, Fla. 33138 Allied Contractors of South Fla. 1575 N.E. 159th Street North Miami Beach, Fla. Mr. E. Milner -Irving National Electrical Contractors Association of South Florida 8965 N.W. 77th Avenue *304 Miami, Fla. 33166 Ms*. Peppy Black South Florida SMACNA 3121 Hallandale Beach Blvd. •114 Hallandale, Fla. 33009 Mr. Jim Maltby Greater Miami Gas Institute Sun Gas Corp. of Florlda 2950 N.W. 24th Street Miami, Fla. 33142 Mr. A. B. Clyatt Assoc. of Glass & Glazing Contra. P. 0. Box 012406 Miami, Fla 33101 Guy Sanchez Florida Power b Light Co. P. 0. Box 029311 Miami, Fla. 33102 Me. Gall Tonslll Engineering Contractors Association 1800 West 49th Street e211 Hialeah, Fla. 33012 Mr. Rafael Hernandez Blue-N-Clear Pools, Inc. 5245 N.W. lot Street Miami, Florida 33126 Ms. Jane Perry -McCabe Underground Contractors Assoc. P. 0. Box 8502 Coral Springs, Fla. 33086 Mr. Leonel Alonso Association of Investors 8 Builders 1441 S.W. 12th Street Miami, Fla. 33135 1^ -1 Mr. Thomas Benjamin' Allied Minority Contractors Assoc. 1277 N.W. 54th street Miami. Fla. 33127 Kemal AI-Iman, President Florida Engineer Society 329 Palermo Coral Gables, Fla. 33134 Certified Mechanical Contractors 505 N.E. 189th Street Miami, Fla. 33179 Mr. Richard Benton, President South Fla. Building Officials Council 405 Blitmore Way Coral Gables, Fla. 33134 Mr. Carlos Perez-Zontera Underground Contractors Assoc. 3300 University Drive e211 Coral Springs, Fla. 33085 Mr. Donald R. Dolan Mechanical Contractors Assoc 99 N.W. 183rd Street •238 Miami, Fla. 33189 Mr. David Perez American Institute of Architects 5040 N.W. 7th Street e18 Miami, Florida 33128 Ms. Truly Burton Construction Industry Advisory Cncl 15225 N.W. 77th Avenue Miami Lakes, Fla. 33014 Mr. Robert B. Talley Miami Builders Exchange 1395 N.W. 21st Street Miami, Florida 33142 Mr. Jim Woodall Associated General Contractors 18201 N.W. 88th Avenue Miami, Fla. 33015 Mr. Bill Brammeyer Plumbing Contractors'Assoclatlon 14105 N.W. 58th Court Miami Lakes, Fla. 33014 - 3 - 0 .A�.g+ t 1 A: J Mr. Met Yampolsky C.I.A.C. 1110 N.W. 1e8th Street North Miami Beach, Fla. 33069 Mr. Michael Zogby Latin Builders Association 780 N.W. LeJeuns Road e803 Miami. Fla. 33126 Mr. Jose Perez de Corcho American Society of Plumbing Eng. 229 N.E. 26th Terrace Miami, Fla. 33132 Ms. Norma Phillips Associated Builders 8 Contractors 4700 N.W. 2nd Avenue Boca Raton, Fla. 33431 0. Miriam Maer Assistant City Attorney Law Department Joseph McManus Assistant Planning Director Planning Department Don Cather, Director Public Works Department Chief C. H. Duke Director of Firs. Rescue and Inspections Services Firs Department Edith Fuentes, Director Building i Zoning Department 0