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HomeMy WebLinkAbout03-05-98 SS Forum MINUTES OF THE CITY OF OCOEE FORUM FOR CONSTRUCTION CONCERNS HELD MARCH 5, 1998 CALL TO ORDER Building Official Flippen called the Forum for Construction Concerns to order at 7:00 p.m. in the City Commission Chambers. There was a moment of silent meditation followed by the pledge of allegiance. PRESENT: Building and Zoning Official Flippen, Commissioner Parker, City Manager Shapiro, Assistant Building and Zoning Official Washington, City EngineerlUtilities Director Shira, Executive Secretary Seaver, Code Enforcement Supervisor Simon and City Clerk Grafton. Also present in the audience were Mayor Vandergrift and his wife, Beth. ABSENT: None. INTRODUCTION OF PANEL Building Official Flippen read a prepared statement on the mission of the Forum, introduced the panel and recognized Mayor Vandergrift and his wife, Beth. AREAS OF DISCUSSION CONTRACTORS RESPONSIBILITIES Building Official Flippen read the contractors responsibilities as per Ocoee City Codes and explained methods of how to file complaints. OWNERlBUILDER'S RESPONSIBILITIES Mr. Robert Newman, 6720 Lumberjack Lane, expressed concerns regarding the home he purchased in the Sawmill subdivision, built by Maronda Homes. The slab poured for the foundation of his home was poured 3/4 of an inch short. Furring strips were then used to compensate for the shortage and stuccoed over. Termites have now infested his home. He has reported the problem to the Building Department and would like to have the matter investigated. He would like to know whether he or Maranda Homes is liable. Mr. Flippen said that upon inspecting the site, he noted the contractor had used treated pine furring strips, which was perfectly legal and a common practice when compensating for slab measurements 5 to 7 years ago. This was prior to today's knowledge of termites and the practice of using furring strips and stucco below the finished yard grade is no longer acceptable. Mr. Flippen said he would be happy to be present when Maronda Homes inspects the site. Mr. Dan Poteat, 5231 Mill Stream Road, echoed Mr. Newman's concerns. Mr. Flippen said he would be happy to be present when Maranda Homes does their inspection on his home as well. Mrs. Martha Lopez-Anderson, 2438 Alcobe Circle, inquired as to the time limit on maintenance/warranty bonds and as to the responsibility for repairs to the streets and retention ponds when the subdivision is complete. City Engineer/Utilities Director Shira explained that City of Ocoee Forum for Construction Concerns Held March 5,1998 the City has the following system in place: When a two year maintenance bond approaches its end, a letter is sent out to the developer telling him that on a date certain, the City will be on site to do an inspection. At the time of the inspection, the developer is to be there so he can go through the whole subdivision and make up a punch list of things he will or will not repair. If he is not present at the inspection, a letter is automatically sent to the bonding company telling them to extend the bond. If he is there and refuses to do any repairs, again, a letter is sent to the bonding company instructing them to keep the bond going. If he agrees to do all repairs, then the bond is released upon completion. Mr. Shapiro said that if a contractor does any damage to any piece of property in the development, the Certificate of Occupancy on that particular lot will not be given until repairs are made. Commissioner Parker said she still has forms the FHA and V A organizations sent her when they were going through the Georgia Pacific siding problems. She said those organizations came in and saw that the repairs were made. She still has the forms and would make them available for those in need. Mayor Vandergrift gave a brief account of his experiences with termites and would like people to know they are protected when moving into the City of Ocoee. He would like to have the responsibility of the developer extended beyond the two years maintenance/warranty bond and suggested forming a board to deal with these kinds of issues. Discussion ensued regarding the length of time it takes to build out a development and Mayor Vandergrift directed staff to look into finding an average length of time. CITIZEN COMMENTS Mrs. Beth Vandergrift, 2625 Cedar Bluff Lane, asked if there was anything the City could do regarding a builders hidden defects clause; and also, could the City do anything about pest control companies. Commissioner Parker said that regarding the "hidden defects clause", Commission met with attorneys who gave them information regarding this issue and she would gladly make copies and distribute the information from that meeting to those in need. She also said that the State of Florida has a Construction Industry Recovery Fund that enables consumers to collect for any damages caused by a licensed contractor that can no longer be found. However, in order to be eligible to collect from this fund, the consumer had to have signed a contract on or after July 1, 1993. Mr. Shapiro said, regarding the pest control issue, he would have to speak with the City Attorney regarding the legalities of licensing pest control companies in the State of Florida. Mayor Vandergrift asked that Commissioner Parker write a letter to other homeowners associations regarding the practices of her homeowners association. Mr. Shapiro explained the different ways of landscaping a yard that keep pests away from your home. 2 City of Ocoee Forum for Construction Concerns Held March 5,1998 Mayor Vandergrift proposed that Commissioner Parker have a quarterly meeting regarding this issue and that a letter go out to the Ocoee Community Alliance (the new Homeowners Association group) regarding homeowners association practices. ADJOURNMENT The meeting was adjourned at 8:15 p.m. Attest: APPROVED: City of Ocoee Official D. 3