City may establish panels

BY JENNIFER BAILEY
Commercial-News

DANVILLE June 20, 2009 07:59 pm

— Increased communication, qualified contractors working on projects, proper permitting and sharing ideas are just some of the goals of two commissions aldermen will consider establishing.
City officials are looking to re-establish the electrical commission and also form a new building commission.
Danville Public Development Director John Heckler said the electrical commission hasn’t been in existence for at least 10 years.
“I think in the city of Danville we need to make sure there are qualified contractors and (they are) getting the proper permitting,” Heckler said.
On occasion, the city discovers contractors do not get needed building permits.
Heckler added that a building commission “would help us be in contact with people in the building trades, larger and smaller contractors, and it would be a way to communicate and share some ideas out in the buildings community.”
Mayor Scott Eisenhauer said the electrical commission will be made up of three electrical union members, three non-union electricians and one AmerenIP representative.
The building commission will be made up of three building trades union members, three non-union general contractors and one member from the city at-large.
Members will serve for three-year terms.
The commissions will meet at least quarterly.
“The idea behind (the commissions) is to discuss issues pertaining to the codes and make sure there is a consistent interpretation of what those codes do require,” Eisenhauer said.
He said there seems to be less room for interpretation in the plumbing codes.
“There is less work around in the area and there have been cases where non-licensed electricians have been doing work…,” Eisenhauer said.
Obviously, the city cannot see all inside workers, he said.
“It’s very difficult for us to know when violations are occurring,” he added. “It’s a check and balance to make sure things are being done correctly.”
Eisenhauer said the city will gladly accept more help for its inspectors.
Corporation counsel Dave Wesner has worked on ordinances to take to aldermen at the city council’s Public Services Committee meeting on Tuesday to establish the commissions.
Wesner said the commissions will review international building codes and the electrical code and could make recommendations as to code changes and permit fees.
Don Ritter, president of the Danville Building Trades and business manager of Plumbers and Pipefitters Local 157, welcomes the opportunity to be part of the commissions.
“It’s going to be a great thing,” Ritter said.
One of the objectives, Ritter said, is Eisenhauer wants “buildings to be quality buildings and last longer than 25 years.”
No one wants the city spending taxpayer dollars to tear down more buildings.
“It’s going to be a good chance to start anew,” Ritter added about having better inspections.