Meeting Minutes

Manheim Township Municipal Building

Wednesday January 18, 2006

Attendees: 

Don Forry, Manheim Township
Ron Kistler, Vice Chair, East Hempfield Twp.
Jeff Helm, Treasurer, Columbia Borough
Lynn M. Stauffer, Secretary, Lancaster Twp.
*See Attendance Roster 

Call to Order: Don Forry, Chair, welcomed all and began the annual organizational and chapter meeting at 1:15 p.m.  He led all in the Pledge of Allegiance. 

Roll Call:   
Don Forry, Chair, Present
Ron Kistler, Vice Chair, Present
Jeff Helm, Treasurer, Present
Lynn M. Stauffer, Secretary, Present 

Approval of Previous Meeting Minutes: The minutes of the September 14, 2005 meeting was approved as submitted on a motion by Gary Horning, seconded by Randy Maurer.  Motion carried. 

Treasurer’s Report: Jeff Helm gave a Treasurer’s Report.  It was noted that there was a balance of $15,110.99 as of 01/01/06.  Chair Don Forry that some memberships paid for at the end of 2005 will be rolled over to a 2006 membership reported it.

Business: 

Michelle Simmons, PA Construction Codes Academy Update:  Michelle updated all members on the PA Construction Codes Academy expanding education program.  She mentioned several new classes scheduled for spring (i.e. two-day Commercial Plumbing, two-day Commercial Energy, Commercial Mechanical).  She also mentioned that the Academy is exploring offering a course one-day a week for 3 or 5 weeks depending on the nature of the course.  Also, the Academy may be mailing out a newsletter or possibly sending one out electronically. 

2006 Election of Officers: On a motion was made by Nancy Halliwell to maintain the same slate of 2005 officers for 2006. the motion was seconded by Shaun Seymour and the members voted unanimously to approve the motion. Chair Don Forry, Vice Chair Ron Kistler, Jeff Helm, Treasurer and Lynn M. Stauffer, Secretary.  Everyone agreed that 2005 was a productive year for LanCode.  During 2005 the membership grew to 85 and continued to provide quality one day seminars such as Accessibility, ASHRAE Energy Training, One and Two-Family Electrical as well as education at the quarterly chapter meetings.

2006 Meeting Schedule: Posted on the web site.

Chapter meetings including educational opportunities are at  Manheim Township Municipal Building and begin at 2:00 as follows:

January 18
March 15
May 18
July 19
September 20
November 15

Training: Chairman Forry encouraged members to check the website for the 2006 meeting schedule and other valuable information on upcoming training sessions.  A general discussion was held on possible future training opportunities.  It was agreed that LanCode's one-day free ICC training should be Means of Egress.

PABCO: A general discussion was held on LanCode’s PABCO membership and e-mail alerts forwarded by executive director Bob Buddenbohn.  All members believe that our PABCO membership is very worthwhile.  Chair Forry noted that Bob might be able to speak at a future LanCode meeting.  The annual chapter membership fee for approximately 85 members is $799. On a motion by Craig Underwood, seconded by Tom Zorbaugh, the members voted unanimously to continue and renew the membership.

PABCO January 13, 2006 Conference: Chair Don Forry informed the members on the PABCO Legislative Conference held recently in Enola at PSATS.  A general discussion followed on how active LanCode and PABCO should be in supporting and opposing proposed legislation that affects the UCC.  It is evident that local constituents who bring their personal experiences, special interest groups with financial backing pressure legislators to introduce House Bills and Senate Bills. The PABCO board of directors will meet March 3 to discuss its role and function, and how best to serve the common interest of the membership.  LanCode members discussed HB881 and its potential adverse impact on the UCC.  HB 881 basically strips away the control of local municipalities to administer and enforce the UCC.  Chair Forry encouraged all members to take action and contact local PA representatives and senators with their concerns.  Contact information for legislators can be accessed from the "Code Link" found on the LanCode web site's home page.

Residential Energy: It was noted that that on January 23, 2006 the Department of Energy mandated new standards affecting the efficiency of residential air conditioners.  The manufacturers of residential air conditioners will now have to meet a seasonal energy efficiency ratio (SEER) of 13 or higher; the current standard is 10.  Essentially this means the new units are 30% more efficient.  The new standards do not require homeowners to change their existing air-conditioning units area.  Replacement parts and services will still be available to maintain current home air conditioners. 

PA Housing Conference: The conference will be held February 23 in Valley Forge this year.  More details will be available on the PHRC web site at www.engr.psu.edu/phrc The conference is the premier technical conference for housing issues in Pennsylvania and attendees will get the latest information on emerging technologies and learn about the biggest problems facing the housing industry.  All sections of the housing industry will benefit including builders, remodelers, code officials, educators, and design professionals.

LanCode Golf Shirts: Jeff Helm will report on this item at the next meeting. 

Meeting Adjournment:  The meeting was adjourned at 2:30 PM on a motion by Don Forry, seconded Ron Maurer and carried. 

Educational Presentation: Immediately following the chapter business meeting, Jo Charland of APA Engineered Wood Association presented Wall Bracing as found in Section R602.10 of the 2003 IRC, Over 40 people attended the training.  The training was made available to the BIA that no cost in order to encourage builder/contractor participation.  The training was informative and beneficial to all those whom attended.

Respectfully submitted, Lynn M. Stauffer - Secretary