Electrical Commission

1 APPROVED 2 MINUTES OF A MEETING OF THE ELECTRICAL COMMISSION 3 VILLAGE OF NORTHBROOK 4 COOK COUNTY, ILLINOIS 5 April 4, 2013 6 7 Commissioners Present (3) 8 Robert Boiko 9 Bernard Petchenik 10 Dennis Lauer 11 12 Ex Officio Commissioners Present (2) 13 Mark Nolan, Fire Chief, Village of Northbrook 14 Tom Poupard, Director, Development and Planning Services, Village of Northbrook 15 16 Commissioner Absent (1) 17 Richard A. Jamerson, Chairperson 18 19 Ex Officio Commissioners Absent (1) 20 Kevin Frangiamore, Director, Fire Prevention Bureau, Village of Northbrook 21 22 Other Village Staff Present 23 Jamie Clar, Electrical Inspector 24 Corey Friedman, Electrical/Mechanical Inspector and Electrical Commission Staff Liaison 25 Nick Desario, Assistant Director, Development and Planning Services, Village of Northbrook 26 Gale Cerabona, Recorder 27 28 Additional Attendees 29 Boris Soyfer, Soyfer Electric, 3011 Commercial Ave., Northbrook, IL 60062 (cell: 847.312.7901) 30 Tony Lyubelsky, Soyfer Electric, 3011 Commercial Ave., Northbrook, IL 60062 (office: 847.291.0039) 31 Joe Ellwanger, Resident 32 Al Schwall, Resident & Chairman of Architectural Electrical Commission 33 34 1. Call to Order 35 Inspector Friedman stated that Chairperson, Richard A. Jamerson, would not be present this evening. 36 37 Commissioner Petchenik moved, seconded by Commissioner Boiko, that Fire Chief Nolan act as a 38 secondary Chairman this evening. On a voice vote, the motion unanimously carried. 39 40 Acting Chair Nolan called the meeting to order in the Terrace Room of Village Hall, 1225 Cedar Lane, at 41 5:36 p.m. A quorum was present. 42 43 2. Executive Session 44 Commissioner Boiko moved, seconded by Commissioner Petchenik, to enter into Executive Session 45 regarding a litigation issue. On a voice vote, the motion unanimously carried, and Commissioners Boiko, 46 Petchenik, Lauer; Inspector Friedman, and Acting Chair Nolan departed the meeting at 5:37 p.m.  Page 2 Minutes of the April 4, 2013 Electrical Commission Meeting 1 Executive Session began in a private conference room at 5:40 p.m. with a roll call of Acting Chair Nolan; 2 Comissioners Boiko, Petchenik, Lauer. Also in attendance were Village Staff Inspectors Friedman & Clar; 3 Assistant Director Nick Desario; and Recorder, Gale Cerabona. 4 5 Commissioner Boiko stated he researched building code enforcement and read Code 6-13 subsection , 6 concluding it is obvious there is no relationship via the agency and property owner. The original permit 7 was taken out by Nimish Patel. However, the Kloyser Group LLC is listed as the owner of the property at 8 2030 Maple. It was determined this group does not exist. 9 10 The Feinstein’s at 1050 Claremont & Leiderman’s have numerous bankruptcies. Diana Feinstein has an 11 order of protection by Circuit Court of Cook County. Several aliases are also used. More property info 12 stated that Boris Soyfer is being sued for $12,500.00 by a construction company. 13 14 Acting Chair Nolan attempted to establish why everyone was called to the meeting today. 15 16 Commissioner Boiko stated that the property owner should be known. 17 18 Acting Chair Nolan suggested pursuit of tonight’s agenda......i.e. the workmanship of a particular 19 contractor. Inspector Friedman advised the work has since been corrected. A certificate of occupancy 20 has been obtained. Acting Chair Nolan asked – what do we do about this particular contractor now and 21 in the future? Everyone concurred. How many fines and notices should be established? In the future, 22 how can this Commission prevent this? Background, licensing information needs to be known. Regarding 23 the owner, what are our obligations? 24 25 Assistant Director Desario stated in Section 15-41 of the Code, Village Staff has the purview to suspend 26 or revoke a license with cause. 27 28 It was stated that this individual is still responsible. Commissioner Petchenik asked if fines have been 29 paid. Inspector Friedman advised there haven’t been any fines. 30 31 Acting Chair Nolan advised of the process that will take place in the regular meeting. A recommendation 32 to Staff may ensue. Commissioner Lauer asked and Inspector Friedman confirmed that all items have 33 been corrected as of this time. Acting Chair Nolan asked if it is Planning & Development’s role. 34 35 Acting Chair Nolan recommended that Inspector Friedman explain: 36  why a meeting was called 37  allow the contractor to state his case 38  then everyone provide their comments 39 40 Commissioner Petchenik moved, seconded by Commissioner Lauer, that all depart from Executive 41 Session. On a voice vote, the motion unanimously carried, and everyone departed Executive Session at 42 5:57 p.m. 43 44 The regular meeting resumed at 6 p.m. 45 46 47  Page 3 Minutes of the April 4, 2013 Electrical Commission Meeting 1 3. Review of Minutes 2 Commissioner Petchenik moved, seconded by Commissioner Lauer, to approve minutes of the February 3 28, 2013, Electrical Commission meeting as revised. On a voice vote, the motion unanimously carried. 4 5 4. Public Comments 6 There were no comments from the public. 7 5. Work Performed by a Particular Electrical Contractor (on a new home still under construction) was 8 found to be substandard, dangerous, and far beyond the routine code violations usually encountered. 9 The Commission involvement is requested for: 10 11 a) Briefing to the Electrical Commission by the NBK Electrical Inspectors as to the conditions 12 found 13 b) Contractor will be in attendance to explain how this happened and what safeguards he has 14 put in place to prevent this from occurring again 15 c) Consideration by the Electrical Commission as to what to do about this situation 16 17 Acting Chair Nolan introduced Inspector Friedman who stated violations were not routine including: 18  Extension cord wiring used as permanent wiring 19  Color codes (white conductors) 20 21 Acting Chair Nolan asked if the property owner was present. Staff from Soyfer Electric advised the 22 property owners were advised of this meeting but are not in attendance. 23 24 Inspector Friedman continued (re: non-routine violations): 25  120 vs. 240 volt protection 26  Returned to the home numerous times to inspect 27 28 Acting Chair Nolan asked Inspector Friedman for a summary of how many inspections were done. 29 Inspector Friedman estimated – eight. Acting Chair Nolan identified this to be a: 30  Single family home and 31  Approximately 3,000 square feet 32 33 Inspector Friedman advised 2-3 inspections are typical with 2-3 final inspections. Inspector Friedman 34 advised he and two other inspectors conducted inspections on this home. 35 36 Specifics of the extension cords were shared (open copper conductors wired to a kitchen hood fan). 37 Inspector Friedman stated that conduit, not extension cords, should be used. The incorrect voltage was 38 plugged in (a front end is burning up). 39 40 Contractors were asked if they saw the photos and know the codes of the Village of Northbrook. 41 Contractor Soyfer stated that he subcontracted this job. Contractor Lyubelsky (Boris’ stepson) stated he 42 is in electrical school and will take the test soon. He stated that there was a miscommunication, and he 43 did not oversee this job. It was identified that the gentleman who performed the work is a 44 subcontractor of Soyfer Electric.  Page 4 Minutes of the April 4, 2013 Electrical Commission Meeting 1 Photos were shown and explained with errors noted by Inspector Friedman. New codes were shared. It 2 was clarified that this property is a new home. Inspector Friedman displayed more photos and also 3 noted errors on the reinspection. He noted that spacing issues are common with all contractors. 4 In summary, Acting Chair Nolan concluded that there were an extreme number of errors on 5 workmanship. Inspector Freidman advised reinspection fees were issued and paid. Another violation 6 was cited with another contractor. 7 8 Acting Chair Nolan asked the contractor: 9  What is your background? Mr. Soyfer stated he has been an electrician for 48 years and in Local 10 134 for 30 years. Mr. Soyfer agreed with the errors. It was noted that the electrical worker who 11 performed this work is not licensed. The subcontractor was questioned by Mr. Soyfer. Mr. 12 Lyubelsky noted that he is going to school at Chicago Electrical Center in Wheeling and agreed 13 these errors are obvious however he did not have a chance to get to the home to inspect same. 14 15 Inspector Friedman confirmed that all errors were corrected and meets code. 16 17 Acting Chair Nolan reiterated to the contractors that this is not only poor workmanship but 18 dangerous. 19 20  Have you performed other work in town? Mr. Soyfer stated– yes 25 years ago, and advised that 21 he has since fired this subcontractor. 22 23  Are there any other violations on work performed by your company? Mr. Soyfer stated – no. 24 25 Acting Chair Nolan concluded that this work is unbelievable. Commissioner Boiko inquired as to the 26 name of the individual who performed the work. The contractors advised – Kevin Rolise……then stated 27 Kevin Ralys. Commissioner Boiko noted that insurance increases when codes are not enforced – and if 28 this home is not thoroughly inspected, the homeowner may have problems and potentially could sue 29 the Village. The contractor was asked how it is possible that all these errors were missed. 30 31 Commissioner Petchenik noted that someone has to be hired – separately – to inspect the entire house. 32 A third-party should be hired by the owner. He stated this Commission doesn’t believe the house is 33 properly wired. A third-party needs to provide a certificate to the EC before a permit is issued. The 34 contractor concurred. It was stated that the owner’s name (on record) is required. 35 36 Commissioner Lauer stated that this work is unbelievable. Being in the business for 50 years and on this 37 Commission for 13 years, it is a disgrace to the industry. 38 39 Acting Chair Nolan concluded that a third-party electrical contractor needs to be hired by the 40 homeowner. 41 42 It was asked what recourse there is to this contractor for other work in the Village of Northbrook. 43 Director Poupard advised that Village Staff has the authority to revoke or suspend a license for any 44 period of time. Director Poupard recommends dialogue with the Village Attorney to determine our 45 options. Acting Chair Nolan concurred. 46 47 Inspector Friedman advised a permit is pending, and this contractor is on another project.  Page 5 Minutes of the April 4, 2013 Electrical Commission Meeting 1 Commissioner Petchenik moved, seconded by Commissioner Lauer, to suspend any further work by this 2 contractor in the Village of Northbrook. 3 4 On a roll call vote 5 Yea: Commissioners Boiko, Petchenik, Lauer; Acting Chair Nolan 6 Nay: None 7 8 Acting Chair Nolan stated that the motion carried 4-0 and advised that this Commission may revoke the 9 business license until further information is received from the Village. 10 11 6. New Business 12 There was no new business. 13 14 7. Old Business 15 There was no old business. 16 17 8. Adjournment 18 There being no further business, Commissioner Petchenik moved, seconded by Commissioner Boiko, to 19 adjourn the meeting. On a voice vote, the motion unanimously carried. Acting Chair Nolan adjourned 20 the meeting at 6:59 p.m. 21 22 Respectfully submitted, 23 24 25 Gale Cerabona 26 Recorder