Travis County Commissioners Court
January 18, 2005
Item 17
The leash law item. Is 17, consider and take appropriate action regarding order amending the Travis County code adding the international fire code for Travis County. A, the international fire code for Travis County, and b, appropriate fees for implementation of the fire code. We've had one discussion and a subsequent public hearing on this. And it is posted for us to take action today. Good morning.
>> good morning, judge, Commissioners. On Tuesday, January 11th, 2005, -- I'm the Travis County fire marshal [inaudible] Travis County coordinator. Assistant fire marshal brad bowchamp. As well as a number of chiefs from the local e.s.d.s and fire departments and the state fire marshal. On Tuesday, January 11, 2005, the public hearing wag held regarding adoption of the fire code. There was no opposition or negative testimony to adoption of the fire code presented. Collaborative effort of the commercial building community, 13 e.s.d. Degrees, the county fire departments, the city of Austin have agreed to adoption of the amendments required for adoption of the national fire code as the fire code for Travis County. The government code chapter 233 requires that a county shall deposit all fees received in a special fund and said fees may be used only for the administration of the fire code relative to [inaudible]. Today, judge and Commissioners, you will take historic action for the sake of the citizens of Travis County. The purpose of the fire code is protect and promote the public health, safety and welfare of the residents of Travis County. By requiring permits for the construction of commercial structures and establishments and public buildings in unincorporated Travis County. And protect the lives of the general public. As an urban county, we embark on a comprehensive mechanism to make sure all citizens of Travis County can be assured of [inaudible] public establishment located in the county.
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>> [one moment, please, for change in captioners]
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>> ...trying to bring the agencies together not only in services and operations, but also in this fire code. So early on we went around and started talking to agencies about what they were going to do for a fire code. And we were delighted to see that everyone was moving in the same direction. So we saw the pieces coming together. We also realized in the fire marshal's office and simon, you can come in any time you feel like you need to, we also realized that in order for it to work, we couldn't do it all. And that we were going to have to play our role and that we wanted everyone else to be able to play their role. And they do have a very important role. And that once the pieces were all brought together, then you begin to see the whole fire safety program as one piece and not separate pieces. Realizing that we are going to do things separately, but also realizing that we're doing it together, and that we're dedicated to the fact that we're going to depend upon emergency services districts and other fire agencies to do their part and play their role, but also that we're going to be here more as a coordinating role, a support role and one in which we provide resources in the case of arson investigation. I don't think you'll find finer people that are at this table. And that they are dedicated in their jobs to making this county fire safe. And they're also willing -- brad mentioned to you, judge, in your office the other day that we're wanting to share our knowledge and skills with those that are around us. We've also talked to the chiefs and their staff and they're also willing to share their resources with us. And so I think we're at a time in the history of fire safety for Travis County that not only are we adopting a code, but we're putting together a community of fire safety professionals and specialists and that we're not having an attitude of we're going to do this or deck at a time this, but we want to do things together. And so again, I commend you, but I commend everyone in this audience and everyone that's listening out there that's made all of this possible to get to where we are today, and we look forward, now moving forward, in continuing to improve the services of fire safety in Travis County.
>> any other brief comments by anybody here? I think we have the support -- I think we have enough votes on the court to get this done, and so any comments in opposition?
>> judge, I would like to ask for another week before we vote on this. And the reason being is because I have had some folks come to me and really not understand the financial implications of building buildings. I have tried to sit down -- the cost of what's that going to -- of what they're going to incur with this. Now, I have, in my limited ability, sat down and said we are fine with this, but the true financial implications to you building a 1500 square foot building, I can't tell you exactly what those are going to be. The first question I can remember asking was about fire flow capabilities in the county, and told them -- I said I was fine with the response that I was given in that there are other ways around because everybody knows that when you get out of the county, you certainly have a number of places where you just don't have the fire flow. But there are some folks that are nervous about this. I told them we could bring the fire chief in and we could explain how this was not going to have the implications that some people out on the street think that it does. So, I mean, is there a reason why we couldn't have this back on next week so I can get some people sort of settled down about what we're fixing to do with the international fire code?
>> these people who don't do any building anywhere? Because the international fire code is what's been used -- the standard they're going to within the city of Austin. It's like we are the exception here as opposed to this is some kind of a martian fire code. This is like long overdue. And quied frongly -- quite frankly, my immediate reaction would be think of everyone else in terms of fire insurance rates and the risk that you cause by not going through this process.
>> well, I mean, I think that a week isn't going to be detrimental to a lot of folks out there, if it is, I might reconsider that, but I don't think that's going to be the case. I would like --
>> this is back from the three months for the grace period before implementation. Why is that?
>> we have had this on the agenda many, many times. If people can get comfortable, that's fine, but if the build in the city of Austin, Pflugerville, any other areas, you're doing this now anyway, so there would be additional costs, but at the same time I think there's a public safety risk that we're trying to address here, but at the same time if a week will make --
>> I think we can do that, judge. They clearly know that what this -- that this is the place where we need to move, and that I am very supportive of that. But somebody comes and says, you know, you need some explanation, i'll have the fire chief come in, we'll have danny come in, tell us what your issues are and let's see if we can't get them on the same page with the -- with where we know they need to be.
>> and next week is the last?
>> absolutely. I already said I will ask for one week because I'm ready to vote on this. I am convinced that this is something that we need to do, but if a week is not going to throw a real wrench into things, I'm always happy to try to aappease people in my office.
>> i've been ready for a couple of years to go ahead and move forward.
>> I mean, next week, no problem.
>> okay.
>> can I ask a procedural? In regards to the order, I think we have a date that's in there, so we will adjust that date for next Tuesday, that how we'll do that?
>> an effective date is in the code itself, effective January the 18th now, assuming that it's going to be passed today, so it's-- if you choose not to pass it this week, we'll put next week's date, January 25th.
>> okay. We address that issue every week to some extent.
>> yes. The other question that was asked last week was what does it mean when we say the code becomes effective? And who does it apply to? And the answer to that is that any building for which ground is broken after the adoption of the chapter it will apply to, any building for which the first materials are added to the original property after the adoption of the chapter and no ground is broken it will apply to. So if you've got a building there and you're remodeling it and you need -- and you haven't added any materials on the day of adoption, then it will apply to you. And any building that is moved into or within unincorporated Travis County after the adoption of the chapter, it will apply to.
>> okay.
>> any building that has already been started today or yesterday is not going to be affected by this code. It relates to start-up work.
>> buildings being commercial buildings?
>> yes, any building that this would apply to, which doesn't include residential.
>> thank you, judge. I'll be ready next week.
>> and if there are issues that the fire marshal needs to address prior to next week's meeting, can you just call that to our attention? And as part of the backup, if you get it to us by Friday so we'll know if there are substantive issues that we need to address next Tuesday, okay? Thank you.
>> that's why we adopted it because a lot of us -- (indiscernible). Where they need to get.
>> the law keeps the court from going back and forth on various items because it violates open meetings. That's why basically we try to put that onus on staff, on managers. Because there are issues that come to your attention that you may well need to discuss next Tuesday, then let the court know and the appropriate time and way would be Friday as far as the backup for this item.
>> yes.
>> but it will be back on next week, okay? Thank you.
>> thank you.
The Closed Caption log for this Commissioners Court agenda item is provided by Travis County Internet Services. Since this file is derived from the Closed Captions created during live cablecasts, there are occasional spelling and grammatical errors. This Closed Caption log is not an official record the Commissioners Court Meeting and cannot be relied on for official purposes. For official records please contact the County Clerk at (512) 854-4722.
Last Modified:
Wednesday, January 19, 2005 8:11 AM