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HomeMy WebLinkAboutNB 1 RELEASE ELEC SVC 4-7-80DATE: MARCH 14, 1980 NEW BUSINESS No. 1 4-7-80 Inter-Corn TO: HONORABLE MAYOR AND CITY COUNCIL FROM: DAN BLANKENSHIP, CITY ADMINISTRATOR SUBJECT: PROCEDURE FOR RELEASE OF ELECTRICAL SERVICE Attached is a memorandum from the Community Development Director on the subject of the release of electrical service (which is the authorization for the Edison Company to commence service). It appears to me that thewfthholdi'ng of electrical service until all improvements are complete or bonded for is a key tool available to the City. If Council wishes to eliminate that tool, that will be complied with, but will create some problems. On the other hand, the intent of the existing procedure is not to release any building for electrical service until it has passed the electrical inspection. In short, the present procedure supplements the electrical requirements rather than "short-circuiting" them. RECOMMENDED ACTION Council concurrence with existing departmental policy on release of electrical service. Respectfully submitted, Dan Blankenship // City Administrator v DB/hl r Attachment DATE: March 12, 1980 Inter- eom TO: FROM: SUBJECT: Dan Blankenship, City Administrator Mike Brotemarkle, Community Development Director Procedure for release of electrical meters/Certificate of Occupancy There had been some concern as fo the actual focus of authority and responsibiliy for the release of electrical meters upon completion of a construction project. With Gus Thompson, one of fhe protagonisfs,refiring-af month's end, this may be the best time fo clarify the matter. Gus has been acting upon an assumed responsi- bility as the final authority based on a 15-year old Council policy designating him that function. That designation was made at a time when extreme problems had arisen in the electrical areas of construction within the city. Since that time the Uniform Building Code, state laws, court cases and even the City's'job classification have centralized all final authority and responsibility (including legal liability) in the position ofbuilding official. This is especi- ally significant for electrical release as it is normally the final hold the City has on a construction project and is tantamount therefore to a Certificate of Occupancy. If electrical were to be released prior to completion or bonding for public improvements, landscaping, parking, sewer installation, or other utilities or required improvements, there is a possibility the City might have fo pursue legal action if the contractor performed inadequately. However, the structure may at that point in time be occupied and functioning. Some problems in that area have arisen (few) because of release by the electrical inspecfor--"if the electrical's done, you gotfa release if." In addition, Southern California Edison does not recognize, nor is it correct, as Gus asserts that the City (he interprets this to mean the electrical inspector-- final authority) can turn off the electrical for violations in other areas (zoning, public works, etc.). The only recognized reason would be in terms of the electri- cal installation itself. If the former course were pursued, the City could be easily open to litigation. Aisc, Edison does not recognize the exisfance of tempor- ary/permanent electrical service as Gus asserts. Therefore, for many years past, Edison has always confirmed release of the electrical meter by Gus fo be certain that is what the City intended. In some cases if was not and the release would not have been in the City's best interests. A running feud has therefore existed with Gus refusing fo recognize any supervisoral direction and the Building Of- ficial, currently George Reid, attempting fo fulfill the role defined in Chapter 2 of the Uniform Building Code and as part of a Cor~nunify Development Department looking af the broad issue of development processing rather than just a classical building department function. Gaorge Reid is the holder of the position in this department which is designated with the total authority and responsibility for enforcement and administration of all construction codes. All inspector positions serve as his deputies in con- ducting inspections, reviews and investigations; however, the final decision rests with the building official under my direction and administration. d Dan Blankenship March 12, 1980 page 2. In interviewing candidates for the position being vacated by Gus we carefully out- lined this procedure. We are confident the preferred candidate, Mr. Joe Moreland, will adjust to the procedure as it should have existed and has a techincal know- ledge of high quality to allow an easy transition. Nothing in this memorandum is meant to indicate that an insurmountable problem has ever existed, but rather to poinr out that life is never dull, The technical expertise and capability has never been in question of any employee mentioned in this communication.