Published: April 09, 2008 10:04 am      

DeWitt City Council talks about building code changes

DEWITT — DeWitt's adoption of the 2006 International Building Code was sent back to the Building Code Committee Monday night.

The DeWitt City Council reviewed fees and permits and listened to local contractors but could not come to a decision on suggested changes to the current code, the 1997 Uniform Building Code. City Administrator Steve Lindner said the code should not be approved without clarity and that there remained questions on how to implement it. Much would be handled by precedent, he added.

During the public hearing on the 2006 Code several DeWitt contractors questioned the city. Scott Galloway of Galloway Builders asked about proposed licensing fees, since under the new code state electrical and plumbing licenses would be required.

Dean Holst of Holst Construction questioned required registration from the state for any work done, with Lindner responding that he would check with state information.

Jim Gravert opened discussion on private individuals getting permits and who would be doing the work. He asked whether a licensed contractor would have to do the work. Lindner said the city could only police the process so much if a homeowner wanted to subvert the code.

Gravert also asked if the city had found comparisons to similar-sized municipalities.

The dollar amount of the work also came into question with councilman Kurt Ketelsen noting the state did not require a licensed contractor for less than $2,000 of work.

The new permits for windows, siding and roofing as well as water heaters are meant to protect property owners from someone who really does not intend to do the work well and from liability in case of injury, Lindner said.

At the same time, councilman Steve Hasenmiller said he considered windows, siding, etc. as similar to home maintenance items like mowing the lawn and shoveling snow. They do not increase the value of the house and should not require permits, he added.

Council members agreed the committee should consider the cost of the work, reevaluate and clarify the permit and fee schedule, and bring the code requirements back to the council.

The council also looked at the Frances Banta Waggoner Community Library expansion project. Representing the Library Board, Geoff Blandin said the current library could serve the area for the next 30 years, but the board did not want to “box itself in.”

Blandin asked if there were any possibilities for future use of the former Thiel property, adjacent to but separated by an alley, for future expansion with a skywalk or closing of the alley.

“Nothing would be out of the realm of possibility, but I can’t say yes or no at this point,” councilwoman Peggy McAvan said.

Blandin concluded that the board was simply looking for options to explore and was aware this council could not make decisions for future councils. The discussion was a beginning point, he said.

Mark Paarmann was named Citizen of the Month for March. Paarmann is a person “always willing to lend a hand,” from hanging holiday lights to helping with sporting events, Police chief Gene Ellis said in presenting the award.

The council approved the streets and alleys program for 2008 to complete work up to $50,000, a request for a second driveway with a drive over curb cut at 1240 Hospital Drive, a proposal from Henningsen Construction of McCausland to complete private sidewalk work mandated by the city, and authorization to move ahead with re-construction of the German hausbarn in Lincoln Park. About $5,000 is needed for complete hausbarn funding. Release of the $60,000 from the Community Attractions and Tourism grant was also needed.

An easement modification with the police department, Dan Condon and Don Olinger to place a stand-by generator in the alley on the west of the police department building was approved. In addition, the council agreed to a plan to pay reserve officers for services at certain events and activities and approved an application for a Bulletproof Vest Partnership Grant Act program.

At Mayor Don Thiltgen's request, medallions for his office will be purchased at $450. They will be distributed similar to “keys to the city.”

The council approved an addendum to the lease agreement with Mediacom to allow Clinton County Communications to place equipment on the tower in Elmwood Cemetery, an increase to $175 for burial of cremains at Elmwood, updates to the city’s personnel policies and the second reading of an ordinance in regard to taxes levied on recently annexed property.