Building code is on city agenda

While new shingles on a roof and new windows in a wall will need a building permit, siding projects and gutter installation will not if a new ordinance by the McCook City Council passes during Monday's regular meeting.

A memo from building inspector Doyle Wineland attempts to bring the city in accordance with the International Building Code, 2003 edition. The entire IBC edition will submitted for adoption later this year.

According to the building codes, permits and inspections will be required for window repair work to ensure than no structural changes have occurred to the walls.

Because of two unsafe roof conditions cited by local contractors, roofing projects also would require a building permit and inspection if the ordinance passes. The first is structural damage to older roofs caused by rot from moisture. Secondly, many roofs have several layers of shingles, some up to seven layers, creating too much weight.

The IBC code would limit the number of layers of shingles to two on a roof.

The minimum permit fee for both roofing and window projects would be $15 if the project needed no more than the first inspection.

Since the 2003 IBC makes no reference to siding projects, the building permit requirement for siding was eliminated by Wineland.

The ordinance change was brought forward following questions raised by two city council members.

The 1997 building code used by the city did not state building permits were not required for installation of roof, siding and window replacement. Authority to require permits was left with the local building inspector.

Following these guidelines, Wineland suggested last month in a memo to council members that all roof and siding replacement jobs -- where more than 25 percent of the roof or siding is being replaced -- would require a permit and inspection.

Window replacements also would require a permit because of potential impact to the structure of the wall.

The siding project permit requirement was dropped after a review of the new IBC.

Also during Monday's meeting, the council will receive a progress report on the city's efforts to bring municipal water into compliance with the Federal Safe Drinking Water Act.

The report includes a "second opinion" on available variances and exemptions available on several EPA rules, the city's request for additional time to consider an alternate water source and the status on efforts to find an alternate water source north of the city.

In other action, the council:

- Will award a bid for improvements to the McCook Swimming Pool bathhouse, with Hixson Construction of McCook submitting the lowest responsible bid of $207,760 and the earliest completion date of June 27, 2003.

- Will continue its discussion of the sales tax.

- Will consider a contract between the state of Nebraska and the city to purchase a new Handi-Bus, a 2003 Startans, with the city's portion at $10,352.

- Will consider a grant submission by the McCook City and Volunteer Fire Department to purchase an upgraded training package.

- Will consider plans and specifications for the emergency Sanitary Sewer Relocation contingent upon approval from the Nebraska Department of Environmental Quality.