2.

Presidents Announcements.

President Walker said that the big trial that DBI was involved in was now over and thanked staff for being very professional.  President Walker said that although there were some issues it was great to know that there is not overall acceptance that everyone at DBI is horrible.

3.

Director’s Report.

a.  Update on how 311 Program has impacted DBI.

Director Hasenin said that he was excited about this document and said that the Code Advisory Committee was ready to approve the draft which would be coming to the Commission for approval at the June meeting.

Commissioner Sattary thanked the Structural Engineers Association of Northern California (SEAONC) for all of their work on this issue and said that SEAONC would be making additional changes to the document to make it more compatible to the International Building Code when that Code is issued in 2008.  Commissioner Sattary stated that the Administrative Bulletin only addresses certain classes of building alternate designs and said that better performance would be expected because there is a better design process.  Commissioner Sattary said that there are so many variables that there is no magical solution.

Director Hasenin said that DBI had to be cautious not to come up with performance standards that are different than in other areas, but were always looking to improve.  President Walker suggested that there should be dialogue between DBI, Planning and Fire regarding buildings that would be escapable for these tall buildings.  Director Hasenin said that the dialogue should be for all buildings, not just tall buildings and said that the Code only covers life safety.

Director Hasenin said that he had been meeting with DBI staff and staff from Planning and Fire to implement changes to come together early on in the review process to avoid delays as projects proceed.  Director Hasenin stated that he would be starting the Business Process Review steering committee next week involving Planning, Fire, DPW, the building industry and other customers of DBI.  Director Hasenin said that he would be looking closely at the coordination of automation between the different City Departments.  President Walker said that interfacing should be a priority.  Director Hasenin said that he had started implementation of processes to improve turnaround times, combined plan review and more over-the-counter issuance of permits. Director Hasenin stated that everyone would see sustentative improvements in the near future.

5.

Discussion and possible action to amend the Rules of the Building Inspection Commission to change the meeting dates of the Commission to one meeting per month to be held on the third Wednesday of each month at 9:00 a.m. in Room 416, City Hall, 1 Dr. Carlton B. Goodlett Place beginning June 20, 2007.  Currently the regular meetings of the Building Inspection Commission are held on the first and third Mondays of each month in Room 400. [President Debra Walker]

President Walker explained that this item had appeared previously on an agenda, but said that the Commission was required to post this change for ten days as it was a change to the Rules and Policies of the BIC.  Since the matter had been discussed at length previously there was no further discussion.

Commissioner Murphy made a motion, seconded by Commissioner Theriault that the meeting change be adopted.  The motion carried unanimously.

RESOLUTION NO. BIC 032-07

6.

Discussion regarding copy of letter sent to Director Hasenin from Assessor/Recorder Ting regarding a recommendation by the San Francisco Solar Task Force to further simplify the process for obtaining solar permits in San Francisco.  [Chief Building Inspector Laurence Kornfield, Manager of Technical Services]

Chief Building Inspector Laurence Kornfield stated that DBI is committed to sustain green buildings and to that means already implementing an interim policy in 2004 to process solar permits over-the-counter.  Mr. Kornfield said that this required an electrical permit at a cost of $85.00.

City Assessor Phil Ting, a former BIC Commissioner, welcomed Director Hasenin and stated that the City had goals of having 10,000 homes with solar powered roofs by 2010, but said that there are only 500 homes equipped with that power at present.  Mr. Ting said that there is a tremendous amount of red tape involved for 35% of the applicants who do not qualify for the expedited $85.00 over-the-counter process and said that it could cost those people $6,000 to get permits.  Mr. Ting said that most other jurisdictions are cheaper than San Francisco and said that there are more installers and more competition in places such as Marin.  Mr. Ting said that there is a lack of standardization in San Francisco and timelines for permitting went from a few weeks to several months.  Mr. Ting stated that recently the process has been fast tracked and DBI, Fire and Planning are identifying new processes.  Mr. Ting explained that some of the delays and extra costs in San Francisco are due to fire safety and because of lack of sun more bracing is sometimes needed for additional exposure to the sun.  Mr. Ting stated that a taskforce was looking at incentives and funding issues.

7.

Update on the BIC’s subcommittee to appoint candidates to the Access Appeals Commission (AAC), Board of Examiners (BOE), Code Advisory Committee (CAC) and Unreinforced Masonry Board.  [Commissioner Michael Theriault]

Commissioner Theriault said that the sub-committee met on the previous Wednesday to review resumes that are still coming in.  Commissioner Theriault stated that the fewest applications came in for the UMB program and said that the Commission was talking about transferring those funds to the Soft Story Program.  Commissioner Theriault stated that the sub-committee would continue to report back to the Commission on this issue and hopefully have some candidates for appointments in the next few weeks.

8.

CLOSED SESSION (ACTION ITEM)
Public Employee Dismissal:  Discussion and possible action regarding the Department of Building Inspection Director’s action; three affected employees.

Chief Building Inspector Carla Johnson said that it had been a pleasure working for the past few years with the Commission and with a dedicated staff.  Ms. Johnson said that she appreciated and supported effective constructive changes suggested by the Director, but asked that the Director be respectful and supportive of staff’s contributions.  Ms. Johnson stated that she felt that she had a great deal to contribute to DBI.

Chief Building Inspector Wing Lau said that he would like to thank the Commission for their aid in the two years that he served as a Deputy Director. Mr. Lau stated that he would also like to thank staff and said that he wanted to help Director Hasenin in his efforts to improve the Department.

Director Hasenin thanked Assessor Ting for taking the lead on this issue and said that DBI was committed as a Department to streamlining the process and reducing costs to make substantial improvements.  

Commissioner Theriault made a motion, seconded by Commissioner Murphy that the Commission Convene in Closed Session.  The motion carried unanimously.

RESOLUTION NO. BIC 033-07

The Commission went into Closed Session at 10:20 a.m.

The Commission reconvened in Open Session at 11:25 a.m. 

Commissioner Grubb made a motion, seconded by Commissioner Murphy that the Commission disclose decisions made in Closed Session.

RESOLUTION NO. BIC 034-07

President Walker said that she was reading the statement pursuant to the reorganization regarding the Department of Building Inspection Director’s Action.  The Commission approved the release of the Department’s Deputy Directors from their positions; at present all three remain employed by the City; two have retreated to their Civil Service positions, Ms. Johnson and Mr. Lau.  Ms. Madison is currently on leave and the release will be effective at a later date.  This was voted on during the Closed Session.

REOLUTION NO. BIC 035-07

9.

Review and approval of the minutes of the April 2, 2007 meeting.

Commissioner Theriault made a motion, seconded by Commissioner Murphy that the minutes be approved.  The motion carried unanimously.

RESOLUTION NO. BIC 036-07

10.

Review and approval of the minutes of the April 16, 2007 meeting.

RESOLUTION NO. BIC 037-07

11.

Commissioner’s Questions and Matters.

• Inquiries to Staff.  At this time, Commissioners may make inquiries to staff regarding various documents, policies, practices, and procedures, which are of interest to the Commission.
• Future Meetings/Agendas.  At this time, the Commission may discuss and take action to   set the date of a Special Meeting and/or determine those items that could be placed on the agenda of the next meeting and other future meetings of the Building Inspection Commission.

Commissioner Theriault asked that there be an agenda item about the Director’s organization of six Managers and how that fits into the scheme of things.

12.

Public Comment:  The BIC will take public comment on matters within the Commission’s jurisdiction that are not part of this agenda.

There was no public comment.

Adjournment.

Commissioner Grubb made a motion, seconded by Commissioner Murphy, that the meeting be adjourned.  The motion carried unanimously.

RESOLUTION NO. BIC 038-07

The meeting was adjourned at 11:37 a.m.

Respectfully submitted,

__________________

Ann Marie Aherne
Commission Secretary