MINUTES OF A REGULAR MEETING OF THE BOARD OF EXAMINERS OF CONTRACTORS OF THE CITY OF FORT PIERCE, FLORIDA, HELD IN THE CITY COMMISSION CHAMBERS, 100 NORTH U.S. #1, FORT PIERCE, FLORIDA, AT 9:00 A.M. ON TUESDAY, January 10, 2023.
1.
CALL TO ORDER
2.
PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE
3.
ROLL CALL
- Present:
- Don Bergman; James Matula; Ryan Collins; Brandon Nobile; Dennis Devivo; Tina Peterson
- Absent:
- Reed Sudderth; Michael Waldrop; Robert Allen
- Staff Present:
-
- Shaun Coss, Building Dept. Coordinator
- Karen Murphy, Executive Asst.
4.
CONSIDERATION OF ABSENCE(S)
Motion was made by Brandon Nobile, seconded by Ryan Collins to excuse the absences of Mr. Allen, Mr. Sudderth, and Mr. Waldrop. A voice vote was taken and the motion passed unanimously.
- AYE:
- Brandon Nobile, Dennis Devivo, Don Bergman, James Matula, Ryan Collins, Tina Peterson
Passed
5.
APPROVAL OF MINUTES
Motion was made by Ryan Collins, seconded by Brandon Nobile to approve the minutes of the November 8, 2022 meeting. A voice vote was taken and the motion passed unanimously.
- AYE:
- Brandon Nobile, Dennis Devivo, Don Bergman, James Matula, Ryan Collins, Tina Peterson
Passed
a.
| Approval of November 8, 2022 Meeting Minutes. |
The December 13th meeting was cancelled because there were no applications submitted.
6.
ADDITIONS OR DELETIONS TO THE AGENDA AND APPROVAL OF THE AGENDA
a.
| Discussion of Contractor Certificate of Insurance Requirements |
7.
CONSENT ITEMS
Chairman Bergman asked if staff had any comments on the two applications. Mr. Coss indicated that staff recommended approval on Mr. Olsker's application, as it met all the requirements. He indicated that staff had some questions with regard to some collection information included in Mr. Mefford's application. He indicated that if the Board was not comfortable approving the application that they invite the applicant to submit an explanation in writing if he was unable to attend the meeting.
The Board agreed with this. Mr. DeVivo brought the Board's attention to a document he had the executive assistant distribute to the members, which was the Contractor's Schedule of Operations by Classification. He indicated that this applicant was not insured according to the work he was doing, but was insured under a different classification. He said anyone submitting for a permit should also present their declaration pages to present their classification code up front. He felt that if they do not, they could not be approved - at least by him. He felt that Mr. Mefford's application was lacking in several areas, insurance, letters of recommendation, educational background, etc. He said that, in addition to the applicant not being there, he could not approve the application. He said the declaration pages would be needed to confirm the insurance and other criteria.
Mr. Nobile noted that, as mentioned at the last meeting, that State Statutes do not give the Board that authority to make those decisions, that applicants just have to have general liability and Workman's Compensation. This applicant just has an issue with their credit history, which needs an explanation, but they are in compliance with State Statutes. He said he was in agreement with Mr. DeVivo, but per the State Statutes they're in compliance.
Mr. DeVivo said for the reasons he indicated, the changes need to be made or he would have to vote "no" to every applicant. Mr. Nobile said those changes would not happen at this Board's discretion.
Chairman Bergman stated that Mr. DeVivo wanted to take action on something that this Board did not enforce.
Mr. DeVivo stated that the Board would then be a waste of his time.
Mr. Nobile said it wouldn't be a waste of his time, that his concerns are legitimate, it's just that he wanted to take action on something that this Board was unable to enforce.
Mr. DeVivo said that he then needs to resign because there is no reason for him to be there. They will never get a "yes" out of him, unless applicants show documentation, they're (the Board) letting anyone do whatever they want. He said to protect the consumer, the applicants have to prove they provide skilled labor to avoid bodily harm or property damage to the public.
Chairman Bergman indicated that that falls under the purvue of the State, that the State takes care of that.
Mr. Matula said that Mr. DeVivo needs to speak with the State.
Mr. DeVivo said that now that he knows what the Board is, he resigns. At this time, Mr. DeVivo exited the Commission Chambers.
The Board agreed with this. Mr. DeVivo brought the Board's attention to a document he had the executive assistant distribute to the members, which was the Contractor's Schedule of Operations by Classification. He indicated that this applicant was not insured according to the work he was doing, but was insured under a different classification. He said anyone submitting for a permit should also present their declaration pages to present their classification code up front. He felt that if they do not, they could not be approved - at least by him. He felt that Mr. Mefford's application was lacking in several areas, insurance, letters of recommendation, educational background, etc. He said that, in addition to the applicant not being there, he could not approve the application. He said the declaration pages would be needed to confirm the insurance and other criteria.
Mr. Nobile noted that, as mentioned at the last meeting, that State Statutes do not give the Board that authority to make those decisions, that applicants just have to have general liability and Workman's Compensation. This applicant just has an issue with their credit history, which needs an explanation, but they are in compliance with State Statutes. He said he was in agreement with Mr. DeVivo, but per the State Statutes they're in compliance.
Mr. DeVivo said for the reasons he indicated, the changes need to be made or he would have to vote "no" to every applicant. Mr. Nobile said those changes would not happen at this Board's discretion.
Chairman Bergman stated that Mr. DeVivo wanted to take action on something that this Board did not enforce.
Mr. DeVivo stated that the Board would then be a waste of his time.
Mr. Nobile said it wouldn't be a waste of his time, that his concerns are legitimate, it's just that he wanted to take action on something that this Board was unable to enforce.
Mr. DeVivo said that he then needs to resign because there is no reason for him to be there. They will never get a "yes" out of him, unless applicants show documentation, they're (the Board) letting anyone do whatever they want. He said to protect the consumer, the applicants have to prove they provide skilled labor to avoid bodily harm or property damage to the public.
Chairman Bergman indicated that that falls under the purvue of the State, that the State takes care of that.
Mr. Matula said that Mr. DeVivo needs to speak with the State.
Mr. DeVivo said that now that he knows what the Board is, he resigns. At this time, Mr. DeVivo exited the Commission Chambers.
8.
APPLICATIONS TO BE CONSIDERED FOR A CERTIFICATE OF COMPETENCY
a.
| Applicant Name | Business Name | Classification Type |
| Joseph Mefford | Taylormade Fire Systems | Registered Alarm Systems Contractor I |
b.
| Applicant Name | Business Name | Classification Type |
| Robert Olsker | KayKel Enterprises LLC dba McD Sprinklers of the Palm Beaches | Irrigation Contractor |
9.
STAFF COMMENTS
Mr. Coss said that since Mr. DeVivo resigned on record, that there was no longer a quorum and the Board could no longer do any business.
10.
BOARD COMMENTS
There was general discussion where the Board said it was in agreement with Mr. DeVivo, but those recommendations were not something the Board could enforce.
11.
ADJOURNMENT
There being no further discussion, the meeting adjourned at 9:30 AM.