City Council

CITY OF FREDERICKSBURG, VIRGINIA HON. THOMAS J. TOMZAK, MAYOR HON. MARY KATHERINE GREENLAW, VICE MAYOR CITY COUNCIL HON. KERRY P. DEVINE, AT-LARGE HON. BRADFORD C. ELLIS, WARD ONE HON. GEORGE C. SOLLEY, WARD TWO HON. FREDERIC N. HOWE, III, WARD THREE Council Chambers, 715 Princess Anne Street HON. BEATRICE R. PAOLUCCI, WARD FOUR Fredericksburg, Virginia 22401 Council Work Session September 27, 2011 Building Codes Appeal Board Interviews The Council of the City of Fredericksburg, Virginia held a work session on Tuesday, September 27, 2011, beginning at 5:30 p.m. in City Hall Conference Room. Council Present. Mayor Thomas J. Tomzak, Presiding. Vice-Mayor Mary Katherine Greenlaw. Councilors Kerry P. Devine, Bradford C. Ellis, Frederic N. Howe, III, Beatrice R. Paolucci and George C. Solley. Also Present. Clerk of Council Tonya B. Lacey. Building Codes Appeals Board Interviews (attachments). Interviews of the following individuals were conducted: Bradley Hedrick – stated that when he first heard of the opening it sounded like something he would be interested in doing. He has 30 years of construction experience, 24 years as an electrical contractor. He said he has affection for the City and the historic district. He felt he had a unique perspective that he could bring to the Board. He stated that most codes are written for new construction and does not apply to old and historic homes. He said he would like to see changes made in the code to fit historic properties and he said he might be willing to work on this if he was appointed to the Board. Guido Terziotti – stated that he has served on the board in the past and he would like to be on the board again because most of his business is here in the City. He also said he would like to be an advocate for his profession and that he would offer a good impartial judgment on issues that come before the board. In the past when he has had conflicts he would resolve them by meeting with the department and work through them. William Thornton – stated that he would like to serve on the board because could bring a different perspective on the code and he said it sounded like something he would be 1 interested in. He said he would be a valued aspect to the board through his common sense. He said the interpretation of the code can be difficult and this is where he feels he could really be an asset. He listed energy conservation as an interest and he was asked if he thought the code supported it. Mr. Thornton said it’s probably in there, but it is an ever evolving thing and you must look closely at the code. He was asked if he had heard of historic codes, but he hadn’t. He said he has never had to deal with the board on a complex issue, but he had to deal with an insurance company in a complex issue. He said he would like to serve on the board because he heard it was an appeal board and when it gets to that point it’s very interesting. He said there are many opportunities to keep from getting to that point. He said he works with the city staff regularly and he has never filed an appeal. Burton Bigoney – stated that he has served on Codes Appeals Board in Spotsylvania and Stafford Counties. He said he is still serving on the Board in Stafford County. He finds it interesting. He said if he were appointed he still plans to serve on the Board in Stafford. He said most of his work is out of the state. He has never filed an appeal. Mr. Bigoney said he has worked on several historic properties. He has experience in structural engineering along with architectural, residential and commercial. He said with his experience from being on the other boards he could bring expertise based on experience of complex issues. James McGhee – stated that he would like to serve because he is concerned with how complicated the code has gotten. He said he believed with his years of experience with the code could help. When asked if he was familiar with historic building code he said he was and that Charleston, SC had one. He said it is something the City should look into. He stated that he thought the codes should be more regionalized and he thought more localities needed to find ways of setting it up. When asked whether he would use common sense when bringing a historic building up to code he said yes and that the codes purpose is to protect people. He said he was involved in an appeal on a project he had done in the City and it eventually went to state level and was overturned. He said it was not overturned on the local level because of interpretation of the code. Adjournment. There being no further business to come before the Council at this time, the meeting was declared officially adjourned at 6:42 p.m. Tonya B. Lacey Tonya B. Lacey Clerk of Council City of Fredericksburg 2