4/21/1992 - Laserfiche WebLink

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Chairman Eggert asked at what point repairs become so great that they must be done by a licensed contractor, because a lady from her church called just before Easter to ask why church members were told by the County that they could not replace some damaged irrigation pipe and sprinkler heads and that the work would have to be done by a licensed contractor. She didn't understand at what point repairs become so great that churches fall into this category, nor did she understand the situation with maintenance people employed by large multi -family residential developments such as Grand Harbor or the Moorings. Building Director Ester Rymer explained that any activity requiring a license in this county must have licensed people conducting those activities. When you talk about owner/builders and what they are allowed to do, that pertains strictly to single- family residences and what they- are allowed to do on their own property. When it gets to commercial and multi -family, there must be a contract. When you talk about churches, it becomes a question of how much maintenance can be done on plumbing, electrical, structural, roads, etc. Chairman Eggert had a problem with somebody not being able to replace a sprinkler head by themselves because that could be applied to anything. Director Rymer explained that a maintenance person could do the work, but they should get a license. Chairman Eggert was. very supportive of people being licensed, but she just wanted to see some rationalness for churches. Commissioner Scurlock emphasized that there are a multitude of churches in the community, some of which are better off financially than others, and it seemed to him that our laws should not be so restrictive that they preclude church members from coming out on a volunteer work day and doing a job. Director Rymer stated that volunteers could do general maintenance work, but any activity that requires a license must be done by a licensed contractor. Often times there is a licensed contractor among the volunteer church members who covers the work and supervises it. Chairman Eggert could appreciate the frustration in the church situation where -they had members who, she assumed, knew what they are doing. Returning to staff's recommendation on violation procedures, Mr. DeBlois explained that after holding a workshop with the Building Department staff and the general contractors, staff is recommending a maximum fine of $500. In the type of violation where someone is operating illegally, it tends to have an undue economical advantage over those people who are licensed, and it was 15