Peoria Standard

City of Peoria Construction Commission met Feb. 6.

Here is the minutes provided by the commission:

CALL TO ORDER

The special meeting was held by the Construction Commission in Room 404 at City Hall, 419 Fulton Street, Peoria, Illinois, on February 6, 2020 at 2:00 p.m. Chairperson Shoemaker called the meeting to order at 2:00 p.m.

ROLL CALL

Roll call showed the following Commissioners were present: Chairman Shoemaker, Commissioner Scott, Commission Dillon, Commissioner Hall, Commissioner Snyder, Commissioner Dejarld, and Commissioner Goad.

Staff present: Ross Black, Megan Nguyễn, and Roberto Medina

APPROVAL OF SEPTEMBER 11TH MEETING MINUTES

First order of business was introduced by Chairman Shoemaker to approve the minutes of the September 11th meeting.

MOTION:

Commissioner Hall moved to approve the minutes of September 11, 2019. The motion was seconded by Commissioner Dejarld. Approved unanimously by a viva voce vote 6-0.

FORWARD A RECOMMENDATION TO CITY COUNCIL TO AMEND THE CITY CODE RELATED TO PERMIT FEES AND THE TRUSTED CONTRACTOR PROGRAM:

Director Black introduced the amendment pertaining to permit fees, referencing the draft for Article XIII. - Registration of Residential Property. Director Black explained the addition of language regarding short- term-rental units, highlighting the challenges of the building, zoning and license codes that would be impacted. He further explained that the amendment would add short-term-rentals as a type of hotel thus requiring short-term-rentals to pay for both the hotel license fee and occupancy tax.

Director Black clarified the proposed amendments throughout pages 1-12, mentioning most amendments related to language and grammar. He provided details for amendment Sec. 5-522 (b), which will require short-term-rentals to complete license requirement and pay the initial hotel fee. Page 4 includes a provision that appoints the Hearing Officer to oversee related cases and page 5 includes the list of non-owner occupied type properties that are currently exempt from registration, with the new addition of ‘short-term- rental units’.

Chairman Shoemaker expressed the need for defining ‘short-term rental units’ and ‘immediate family members’ in the code sections. Director Black concurred and stated he will add the definitions to the proposed amendments.

Moving on to Article II. – Administration and Enforcement, Director Black detailed the proposed amendments, stating most of the changes pertain to language and grammar. Highlighting page 3, Director Black provided additional details for the addition of the Illinois Energy Code, referencing a State mandate that currently restricts the Construction Commission from amending this text. Additional items include Sec. 5-60. – Meetings that amends the text to convene meetings on an ‘as needed’ agenda, Section 5-91 (b)’s new addition of a defined time limit for permits to be fulfilled, Section 5-91 (f)’s removal from this page and addition onto the fee section (page 11 under Section 5-97), and Section 5-93 (a)’s change in requirement from four plan copies to one paper and one electronic copy to be submitted to the City of Peoria.

Director Black reviewed the major changes to the Building Code found on page 11 under Section 5-97, stating the proposed amendments to the fee section is intended to further simplify the permit application process. The current practice requires a processing fee of $50 or $100, depending on the type of permit, in addition to the fees associated with plan review. The proposed amendments eliminates both the processing and plan review fees for residential and commercial permits and, instead, requires the applicant to pay.7% of the total value of a residential project and.85% of the total value of a commercial project for a general permit.

Commissioner Dillon expressed concern over the fee structure regarding projects strictly pertaining to replacement items. Director Black provided that the proposed amendments pertain to the City’s encompassing concern and encouragement for safe practices on projects over revenue. Director Black reviewed the additional provisions on page 12 listed under (b) and (c), explaining the types of institutions exempted from fees and also introduced the new section on page 13, Sec. 5-100. – Trusted Contractor.

Chairman Shoemaker requested for ‘owner-occupied residential properties’ in line 3 of section (b) to be further defined, to which Director Black agreed to amend the text to include “single-family detached residential properties”. Chairman Shoemaker expressed his concern regarding the amendment that would require permits to be completed within the twelve (12) month timeframe. The Commission discussed the intention of including permit fees in the original code section and Director Black emphasized the city’s focus on the safety protocols of permit applications, as opposed to revenue intake.

Director Black provided the Commission with additional details for Sec. 5-100, noting that contractors in good standing, who have met all requirements, will be included in the city’s Trusted Contractor list and be exempt from paying permit fees. The requirements of a Trusted Contractor would include proof of license (if required), bonding and insurance, notice of change in licensing (if applicable), and an annual contractor fee of $500. This amendment allows for any contractor identified on the Trusted Contractor List to be exempt from paying any permit fees for residential permits that do not require a plan review. To remain a Trusted Contractor, all contractors must pull proper permits and remain permits on site. Director Black emphasized that the Trusted Contractor classification is intended to encourage permit applications in order to better monitor the safety protocols and execution of projects.

The Commission discussed concerns regarding customers’ refusal to pull permits for certain projects. Commissioner Scott provided to the Commission her personal experiences with clients who intentionally do not pull permits in fear of permits affecting their property’s appraisal (from the tax assessor’s office), in addition to basic misinformation on the permitting process. The Commission also discussed the possibility requiring a ‘local license’ for all work.

Chairman Shoemaker referenced the proposed requirements for being a Trusted Contractor and asked whether or not proof of licensing is equivalent to covered bonding and insurance. The Commission discussed the differentiation between a license and bonding and insurance. Chairman Shoemaker also inquired about the purpose of requiring a $500 annual fee from Trusted Contractors, to which Director Black explained fee structure’s intention of to keeping fees revenue neutral. Additionally, the Commission considered the contractors’ scope of work and project monitoring from the City of Peoria.

Director Black noted that further review is needed on the proposed amendments before approving any recommendations to City Council. The Committee intends to reconvene on a later date to bring new and amended items forward for recommendation regarding permit fees and the trusted contractor program.

MOTION:

Commissioner Dillon moved to forward a recommendation to City Council on request of City of Peoria to amend the City Code related to Article XIII – Registration of Residential Property, with the addition of ‘short- term unit’ and ‘immediate family members’ further defined. The motion was seconded by Commissioner Goad. Approved unanimously by a viva voce vote 6-0.

OLD BUSINESS

No old business.

ADJOURNMENT

MOTION:

Chairperson Hall moved to adjourn the Special Commission Meeting, seconded by Commissioner Goad. Approved unanimously by viva voce vote 6-0.

The Special Meeting of the Construction Commission was adjourned at 3:25 P.M.

http://www.peoriagov.org/content/uploads/2019/11/Construction-Commission-Special-Meeting-Minutes-February-6-2020_1582137891_add.pdf