Wichita Board of Appeals of Plumbers and Gas Fitters Minutes
Wednesday, March 5th, 2008


Present:   Don Vaughn, Sr., Terry Irwin, Jerry Short, Keith Brewer, Andy Veatch, David Lefler and Leon Breedlove

Staff:   Elizabeth Harlenske,  w/ Law Department, Billie Vines w/ Water Department, Kurt Schroeder, David Laws and Kim Mudd

Guests Present:    Lonny Wright; Max Christensen, of Oakridge Construction; Perry Duncan, of 17th St Laundry Manager; James Ridge; Pat Richardson, of Fahnestock HVAC; and Kevin Fishburn, of Fahnestock HVAC

Chairman, Terry Irwin called the meeting to order.

The agenda format was altered to accommodate the guests who were appearing before the board.

Request for Variance, from James Ridge, to skip the Journeyman exam and go directly to the Master exam.  A lengthy discussion was held on the different avenues Mr. Ridge could take with the different testing agencies.  Discussion was held on what was legal and the possibility of taking the International Code Council (ICC) Exam.  Don Vaughn, seconded by Andy Veatch moved to allow Mr. Ridge to take the Thomas Prometric (Block) exam and then reapply for a variance to skip the two year experience requirement to then take the Master exam, with the advice from legal, motion failed 2 – 5 (in favor - Vaughn & Veatch and oppose – Irwin, Short, Brewer, Lefler & Breedlove).  David Lefler, seconded by Jerry Short moved to waive the Thomas Prometric (Block) Journeyman exam and to advance to the Thomas Prometric (Block) Master exam, with the advice from legal, motion carried 5 – 2 (in favor – Irwin, Short, Brewer, Lefler & Breedlove and oppose – Vaughn & Veatch).

Second Request for Variance from Troy Whitt was deferred.  Mr. Whitt had called was in western Kansas working.

Request for Variance, from Max Christensen, of Oakridge Construction, his request was to be approved for installation of the venting as to the plans for the 17th Street Laundry.  After a major discussion and reviewing plans, David Lefler, seconded by Leon Breedlove, moved to approve the installation of a 4” vent as drawn on the plans, with the stipulation, that David Laws has made sure the vents were installed, motion carried 5 – 2.

Don Vaughn, seconded by Keith Brewer, moved to accept the February minutes, motion carried 7 - 0.

For Old Business, discussion was held on the Continuing Education Units.  Discussion was held on the ordinance Section 21.04.035 and that the definition of Laborer needs to be defined.  Discussion was held on replacing the Uniform Plumbing Code gas tables with the International Plumbing Code.  Further discussion was held on the definition of Apprentice to be defined as an active person who is installing equipment.  A laborer is not be included in the ratio (4 to 1) and is not considered as installing equipment.

Discussion was held on changing the ratio.  David Lefler, seconded by Andy Veatch, moved to change the ration to 4 to 1 and within the 1,000 feet of work being done and does not matter if residential or commercial, motion carried 6 – 1.
  
David Lefler left the meeting.  (11:00 a.m.)

For new business, Jerry Short suggested that a procedure for instituting a plan review of some type and plans approved before commercial projects could proceed.  Discussion was held with no action.

Don Vaughn, seconded by Keith Brewer, moved to adjourn the meeting, motion carried 6 – 0.



Respectfully submitted,
Kim Mudd