CLB Minutes 02/20/2002 RFebruary 20, 2002
TRANSCRIPT OF THE MEETING OF THE
CONTRACTORS' LICENSING BOARD
Naples, Florida, February 20, 2002
LET IT BE REMEMBERED, that the Contractors' Licensing
Board, in and for the County of Collier, having conducted business
herein, met on this date at 9:05 a.m. In REGULAR SESSION in
Building "F" of the Government Complex, East Naples, Florida, with
the following members present:
CHAIRMAN'
ABSENT:
GARY HAYES
SARA BETH WHITE
WALTER CRAWFORD, IV
MICHAEL BARIL
RICHARD JOSLIN
KEN LLOYD
KENNETH DUNNE
LES DICKSON
ALSO PRESENT:
PATRICK NEALE, Attorney for the Board
ROBERT ZACHARY, Assistant County
Attorney
THOMAS BARTOE, License Compliance
Officer
Page 1
AGENDA
COLLIER COUNTY CONTRACTORS' LICENSING BOARD
DATE: February 20, 2002
TIME: 9:00 A.M.
ADMINISTRATION BUILDING
COURTHOUSE COMPLEX
ANY PERSON WHO DECIDES TO APPEAL A DECISION OF THIS BOARD WILL
NEED A RECORD OF THE PROCEEDINGS PERTAINING THERETO, AND
THEREFORE MAY NEED TO ENSURE THAT A VERBATIM RECORD OF THE
PROCEEDINGS IS MADE, WHICH RECORD INCLUDES THAT TESTIMONY AND
EVIDENCE UPON WHICH THE APPEAL IS TO BE BASED.
I. ROLL CALL
II. ADDITIONS OR DELETIONS:
III. APPROVAL OF AGENDA:
IV. APPROVAL OF MINUTES:
DATE: December 19, 2001
Vo
DISCUSSION:
Presentation of Sunshine Law/Public Records/Ethics by County Attorney's
Office.
VI.
NEW BUSINESS:
David Emerson - Req. to qualify a 2nd entity.
Timothy D. Caughenbaugh- Req. to qualify a 2nd entity.
Natalie L. Schaub - Request to be granted Roof Coat, Roof Paint & Roof
Clean license with 9 months experience as a Supervisor.
Jose Camarillo - Req. to be granted Irrigation/Sprinkler license without exams.
VII. OLD BUSINESS:
VIII.
PUBLIC HEARINGS:
IX. REPORTS:
X. NEXT MEETING DATE:
March 20, 2002
February 20, 2002
CHAIRMAN HAYES' I want to call the meeting to order,
Collier County Contractors' Licensing, February 20th, 9:05 a.m.
Any person who decides to appeal a decision of this board will
need a record of the proceedings pertaining thereto and, therefore,
may need to ensure that a verbatim record of the proceedings is
made, which record includes that testimony and evidence upon which
an appeal is to be based.
I'd like to start roll call to my right.
MR. DUNNE: Ken Dunne, present.
MR. BARIL: Michael Baril.
MR. CRAWFORD: Walter Crawford.
CHAIRMAN HAYES: Gary Hayes.
MR. JOSLIN: Richard Joslin.
MS. WHITE: Sara Beth White.
MR. LLOYD: Kenneth Lloyd.
CHAIRMAN HAYES: Do we have any additions or deletions
to the agenda?
MR. BARTOE: Good morning. Mr. Chairman, board
members, for the record, I'm Tom Bartoe, Collier County licensing
compliance officer.
We have under discussion a deletion. The county attorney's
office would like to postpone their presentation. They could not be
here this morning, and they'd like to reschedule it for another
meeting.
And, I believe we should put it under discussion -- I have an
addition. We have in the audience Kathy Pope who's a state certified
general contractor that would like to address the board, and I have
more additions.
Under old business I have three items. The second entity form
is the first item. We have to come up with a fee to charge. The
second item, Mr. Neale wants to discuss procedures for hearings.
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February 20, 2002
The third item, Mr. Zachary wants to discuss the ordinance
amendments.
CHAIRMAN HAYES' Okay. So we're going to use those two
items -- those three items as old business, not under discussion?
MR. BARTOE: I put it under "old business." If you want it
under discussion, it doesn't matter.
CHAIRMAN HAYES: I was just going to suggest, if you had it
under discussion, if we moved it down to after reports anyway. So
this will do just fine. We just won't have any -- any discussion up
there. I'll just move the motion for discussion down low. Okay.
MR. BARTOE: Sounds good, and staff has no more changes to
the agenda.
CHAIRMAN HAYES' Any other additions or deletions to the
agenda?
I need a motion for approval of the agenda.
MR. JOSLIN' So moved, Joslin.
CHAIRMAN HAYES: I have a motion, need a second.
MS. WHITE: Second, White.
CHAIRMAN HAYES: I have a motion and second. All in
favor.
(Unanimous response.)
CHAIRMAN HAYES: Opposed.
(No response.)
CHAIRMAN HAYES: Very well. Before we go onto the
minutes, I would like to introduce our new members to the board.
We have Michael Baril and Kenneth Dunne, our new members to the
board. We welcome you with open arms. MR. DUNNE: Thank you.
CHAIRMAN HAYES: We try not to be extremely formal, but
we try to be as straight up as we can be. Don't hesitate to participate.
If you feel like you need to make a motion or add to a discussion, it's
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February 20, 2002
all welcome.
MR. DUNNE: Okay. Thank you very much. Pleasure to be
here.
CHAIRMAN HAYES: Okay. Approval of the minutes of
December 19th. I.need a motion.
MR. LLOYD: I make a motion that we approve the minutes,
Lloyd.
CHAIRMAN HAYES' I have a motion. I need a second.
MR. JOSLIN: Joslin, second.
CHAIRMAN HAYES: I have a motion and second. All in
favor.
(Unanimous response.)
CHAIRMAN HAYES: Opposed.
(No response.)
CHAIRMAN HAYES: Very well. Okay. Under new business,
David Emerson, request to qualify second entity. Are you here, Mr.
Emerson?
MR. EMERSON: Yup.
CHAIRMAN HAYES' Would you come up to the podium
please, sir. Because everything that you're going to be telling us is
going to be entered as an evidence .for the reason for our decision, I'm
going to have to ask you to get sworn in. Our court reporter will
take care of it.
(The oath was administered.)
CHAIRMAN HAYES: Good morning, sir.
MR. EMERSON: Good morning.
CHAIRMAN HAYES' Your name for the record?
MR. EMERSON: David Emerson.
CHAIRMAN HAYES: And your reason for being here?
MR. EMERSON: The title of business, new business, second
business.
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February 20, 2002
CHAIRMAN HAYES' What's your reason for wanting to do
that?
MR. EMERSON: Money.
CHAIRMAN HAYES: You can't make money in your first
one?
MR. EMERSON: You can make money in both of them.
CHAIRMAN HAYES: That's double management, though.
MR. EMERSON: Yeah, but we got help now. The first one I
don't have any help.
CHAIRMAN HAYES' You currently qualify with what
company?
MR. EMERSON' Emerson Electric of Southwest Florida.
CHAIRMAN HAYES' And -- and you're looking to qualify
who?
MR. EMERSON: KVA Electric.
CHAIRMAN HAYES: What's the difference between the two
companies?
MR. EMERSON: Partners in the second one. The first one I'm
by myself.
MR. JOSLIN: How long has Emerson Electric been in
business?
MR. EMERSON: Excuse me?
MR. JOSLIN: How long has Emerson Electric been in
business?
MR. EMERSON: Year and a half now.
MR. JOSLIN: Year and a half.
CHAIRMAN HAYES: Mr. Bartoe, is there anything specific or
any any concerns that staff may have?
MR. BARTOE: Office staff advised me -- and I have not had
time to review this; I have been on vacation -- that they needed a --
because Mr. Emerson is not sole owner of this second entity, that
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February 20, 2002
they need a credit report on Mr. Jenkins and Mr. Russo, and that
supposedly Mr. Emerson was to bring those to this meeting and pass
them out to you.
CHAIRMAN HAYES'
COURT REPORTER:
You have them? He's made copies of it.
May I have a copy, too, please.
CHAIRMAN HAYES: You're in partners with these two other
gentlemen, Ken Jenkins and Vinny Russo? MR. EMERSON' Yes, sir.
CHAIRMAN HAYES' Are you equal partners with them?
MR. EMERSON: Excuse me?
CHAIRMAN HAYES' Are you equal partners with them?
MR. EMERSON: I can't hear you.
CHAIRMAN HAYES' Are you equal partners with them?
MR. EMERSON: Not really, no.
CHAIRMAN HAYES: Okay. Mr. Neale, this is probably our
first second entity that we've entertained with the new form. MR. NEALE: Right.
CHAIRMAN HAYES: I'm going to ask you to ride along with
us, perhaps, and steer us through some of these things in case we
seem a little bit dumb about it. MR. NEALE: Sure.
CHAIRMAN HAYES: We have -- your form is as new to you
as it is to us.
MR. EMERSON: You have to speak up for me. I'm hard of
hearing.
CHAIRMAN HAYES: Your form that you filled out for second
entity --
MR. EMERSON: Okay.
CHAIRMAN HAYES: -- is new for us as well.
MR. EMERSON: Okay.
CHAIRMAN HAYES: So we're going to try to take this thing
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February 20, 2002
through here and -- and try to act as smooth as possible. MR. EMERSON: Okay.
MR. DUNNE: I have a question. Sir -- sir, how many
employees do you have?
MR. EMERSON: With which company?
MR. DUNNE: The company that we're looking at here to
qualify.
MR. EMERSON: Four. Right? Four.
MR. DUNNE: You don't have --
MR. EMERSON: Plus three and one additional.
MR. DUNNE: Okay. So you don't have any other electricians?
MR. EMERSON: No. Us three -- we're all -- us three of us are
electricians, and there's one other.
MR. DUNNE: Okay. Do you plan on hiring any other
electricians, 'cause it says here that --
MR. EMERSON: Oh, of course, yeah. Absolutely.
MR. DUNNE: Yeah. And you're going to carry workmen's
comp, and have you -- do you have workmen's compensation, or do
you have the exclusion?
MR. EMERSON: I'm exempt.
MR. DUNNE' Exactly.
CHAIRMAN HAYES' Anything that is said out there, you'll
either have to say it directly to him or come up here and be sworn in
as well. Okay. It has to go on record.
Mr. Neale, I'm trying to go through this thing as well, but I don't
see as part of this new form the responsibility for financial
management, the financially responsible officer.
MR. NEALE: Well, there -- you know, we eliminated financial
officer, but what it should have --
MR. ZACHARY: It's got toward the end --
Mr. Chairman, there's a resolution of authorization. I think it's at the
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February 20, 2002
last -- last page of our form, the county's form.
MR. NEALE' Where they authorize him to --
MR. ZACHARY: Authorize him to act for the company, the
KVA, the new entity.
MR. NEALE: It's after the last page. There's an affidavit
whereby he says that he has full authority to supervise, and then
there's a subsequent resolution of authorization where the corporation
authorizes him and gives him full authority to act in all matters.
CHAIRMAN HAYES' I see it now.
MR. ZACHARY: Page 9.
CHAIRMAN HAYES: Mr. Emerson, so you are aware of your
financial responsibilities in this new company?
MR. EMERSON: Yup. I'm aware of all responsibility.
CHAIRMAN HAYES:
(No response.)
Any other questions from the board?
CHAIRMAN HAYES: I need a motion.
MR. BARTOE: I have a question. I see that all three owners
have signed a notice of election to be exempt from workers' comp.
What about their employee?
MR. EMERSON: Employees will have workmen's comp.
MR. BARTOE: I see no workers' comp insurance with the
package.
CHAIRMAN HAYES: There's not a base certificate?
MR. BARTOE: I see general liability near the end.
MR. CRAWFORD: The package refers to just three employees.
You had said three. You had said three.
He had said four.
MR. EMERSON: Well, we ain't got the business going yet, but
there will be.
MR. CRAWFORD: Okay. I'm satisfied with that.
MR. EMERSON: Plans in the immediate future, but-- is what
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February 20, 2002
I'm answering his question.
MR. JOSLIN: Mr. Chairman, I'd like to make a motion. I see
nothing wrong with the packet. The credit reports are all in line for
all three gentlemen. So I'd like to make a motion that we approve this
application.
MR. CRAWFORD: Second, Crawford.
CHAIRMAN HAYES' I have a motion and second. Any
further discussion on the board? (No response.)
CHAIRMAN HAYES: Calling for the vote. All in favor.
(Unanimous response.)
CHAIRMAN HAYES: Opposed.
(No response.)
CHAIRMAN HAYES: Very well, Mr. Emerson. That's as easy
as it gets.
MR. BARTOE: I woUld -- I would like to make the statement to
Mr. Emerson and everyone else here requesting something similar
today. You will not be able to come into the office until tomorrow to
obtain your license for this second entity because I have everyone's
packet here. The office staff won't have them available till tomorrow
morning.
MR. EMERSON: Yup. Thank you.
CHAIRMAN HAYES: Thank you. Timothy D.
Caughenbaugh, request to qualify second entity. Are you here, sir?
(No response.)
CHAIRMAN HAYES: We have the packet as part of our
agenda. You don't have any idea what happened,
Mr. Bartoe?
MR. BARTOE: No idea at all, sir.
CHAIRMAN HAYES: I suggest that we just table it until he is
present.
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February 20, 2002
Natalie L. Schaub, request to be granted roof coat, roof paint,
and roof cleaning license with a nine-month experience as a
supervisor. Are you here?
MS. SCHAUB: Yes, I am.
CHAIRMAN HAYES: Good morning.
MS. SCHAUB: Good morning.
CHAIRMAN HAYES: I'm going to have to ask you to be
sworn in as well.
(The oath was administered.)
CHAIRMAN HAYES: Your name for the record?
MS. SCHAUB: Natalie Lowe Schaub.
CHAIRMAN HAYES: Schaub?
MS. SCHAUB: Schaub, correct.
CHAIRMAN HAYES: I apologize for the mispronunciation.
MS. SCHAUB: That's how I pronounce it. My husband may
say it a different way. So that's okay.
CHAIRMAN HAYES: Your reason for being here this
morning?
MS. SCHAUB: What we're looking for is our company has
been in business for about a year. It's a -- we're a Subchapter S
Corporation. My husband has experience. I took the business law
class that -- in order for him to pressure clean the roofs, and I passed,
and I also am doing some hands-on pressure cleaning since there's
only two owners of the company and we're quite small. I help out on
the weekends as needed. So what we're looking for, because I only
have the year experience, is a variance to do the roof pressure
cleaning.
CHAIRMAN HAYES: So it's you and your husband?
MS. SCHAUB: That is correct.
CHAIRMAN HAYES: And he's also just got year's -- one-year
experience?
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February 20, 2002
MS. SCHAUB: Well, correct. He has the year approximately,
correct.
MR. CRAWFORD: Which license are you operating under
now?
MS. SCHAUB' We're currently an occupational license just for
the walls and sidewalks and lanai only. MR. CRAWFORD: Okay.
MR. BARTOE: They need our competency card to be able to
do roofs.
CHAIRMAN HAYES: And how short are they,
Mr. Bartoe, of qualifying for that?
MR. BARTOE: I believe the ordinance says two year's
experience.
CHAIRMAN HAYES: It is. So you've 12 of 24 under your
belt?
MS. SCHAUB: That is correct.
MR. BARIL: Mr. Chairman, I have a question.
MS. SCHAUB: Sure.
MR. BARIL: Do you have any warranties for water-tight
roofing?
MS. SCHAUB: We're actually not going to be doing any
painting on the roofs, even though that's part of what this is for.
We're actually going to be doing the pressure cleaning, and we do
have insurance in place also.
MR. BARIL' Do you warranty your work to -- to Waterproof
existing roofs that are leaking? Is that part of your coating?
MS. SCHAUB: We're not actually doing -- no. All we're doing
pretty much at this point is just the pressure cleaning of it and,
obviously, if there's any leakage because of that, we do have
insurance that has been in place since operation of business of last
February.
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February 20, 2002
MR. BARIL: So you're not actually going out and repairing
roofs.
MS. SCHAUB: No, we're not.
MR. BARIL: -- that are leaking with your coating process?
MS. SCHAUB: No, we are not.
MR. CRAWFORD: I think our problem is that that -- the
license that you're requesting would authorize you to do that --
MS. SCHAUB: Correct.
MR. CRAWFORD: -- even though you may not choose to do
SO.
CHAIRMAN HAYES: Well, we've been known to place
restrictions on a license in the past, but what I'm concerned about
MS. SCHAUB: Uh-huh.
CHAIRMAN HAYES: -- is I'm sitting here recognizing the
ordinance --
MS. SCHAUB' Correct.
CHAIRMAN HAYES' -- and requirements that the ordinance
places in place, trying to figure out why should we be interested in
granting you a variance.
MS. SCHAUB: Okay. I guess I can state pretty much -- you
know, obviously I'm an honest person and integrity, both my husband
and myself, where we do quality work. I've worked in the banking
industry for 12-plus years. I've been multiple fingerprinted. I've
been background checked. I've been drug tested and everything you
can imagine, and we're an honest company that's out there.
We've done work for people. As you'll see, we have some
references there. Since I completed that documentation back in
November, I have other people who have stated that if we need
additional references I can give out their phone numbers for the work
that my husband and myself have done. I've actually had to help him
on the weekends quite a bit of time, which is quite exciting to run a
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February 20, 2002
pressure cleaner. Not the most glamorous job you'd want to do.
MR. CRAWFORD: So, Mr. Bartoe, so I'm clear, the
requirements for this license are two years of experience, business
and law portion of the exam, and that's it?
MR. BARTOE: That's it. And I see by the packet she scored an
80 on the business and law.
MR. DUNNE: I have a question.
MS. SCHAUB: Sure.
CHAIRMAN HAYES: Do you-- you have some experience in
cleaning roofs at this point in time?
MS. SCHAUB: No. We have none at this point because we
obviously can't be cleaning roofs because we're not granted that
licensing. We're actually strictly abiding by all rules and regulations
and the laws that are out there.
MR. DUNNE: That's good. I wasn't-- I was -- are you
cognizant or aware of the inherent safety problems in working on a
roof and you or your husband are aware of the OSHA requirements?
And, you know, falling off the roof is --
MS. SCHAUB: It's intense, yes. And there is a safety harness
that once this license is granted that we've looked at purchasing, and
I'm not sure how it rigs up. I have no idea on that. I know how to do
a few little bits of-- you know, give me a pressure cleaner, and I can
run it, but there's a safety harness that I believe attaches to the vehicle
so if he falls off or I fall off. I -- I'm doing -- what I would be doing
it on, like, scaffolding type -- not actually on the roof. I hope not.
MR. DUNNE: Okay.
MS. SCHAUB: Okay.
MS. WHITE: I'm not -- excuse me -- I'm not quite sure that you
answered Chairman Hayes' question -- MS. SCHAUB: Okay.
MS. WHITE: -- when he asked you exactly why it is you
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February 20, 2002
thought we should grant you a variance.
MS. SCHAUB: Well, part of the -- and we're trying to operate
this new company that my husband wants to initiate, and I'm
supporting him 100 percent in all areas as any spouse would do. And
what we've done is so far we've been operating the business, and here
we are just pressure cleaning the sides. I didn't realize that it was an
obstacle when I went to create all the documentation and I met with
Maggie. I did not realize that it was going to be an issue because of
the two years' experience when I took the actual business law class.
I've invested -- you know, I went to, you know, a four-day class for
that during a medical -- a medical issue of myself that I had, and !
took a class that I passed on the first time, and I felt I was back in
college.
So I just sort of feel that we're like trying to be as honest as
possible in our business and -- you know, I just sort of feel like I'm
running up against some obstacles. And I know that there's not the
two years' experience; however, you know, I am trying to be as
honest as possible regarding that issue, or I wouldn't be here today.
CHAIRMAN HAYES: I was going to suggest, Ms. White, that
that's exactly what I'm looking at with these affidavits. It's easy
enough to get somebody to sign an affidavit saying you've had two
years' experience and come in here with that, or when you make an
application for license, it's easy enough for somebody to sign an
affidavit saying that they knew them for two years and they have
chosen -- not chosen that route makes me believe a little bit closer in
their integrity than the normal person sometimes who may come in
here and find out that you have to have two years' experience, head
down the street, 7-Eleven, find somebody to swear out an affidavit
for, and then come in here and plop two years' experience down in
front of us. And if that's the only problem, then it wouldn't even have
been an issue. Staff would have issued the license right then and
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February 20, 2002
there on the face value of those affidavits.
Instead, she's come in here with a short affidavit and had to face
the board. So I think it attests to your integrity, and I appreciate that.
MS. SCHAUB: Thank you very much.
CHAIRMAN HAYES: However, I'm still not totally convinced.
MS. WHITE: I mean, she's got one year of experience, and our
rules are two.
CHAIRMAN HAYES: The truth of the matter is got one year
experience in steam -- in pressure cleaning. Never been on a roof.
MS. WHITE: Never been on a roof.
CHAIRMAN HAYES: Once again, I appreciate that. That was
a nice little move earlier from one of our board members because you
can't imagine how many people come in here and say, "Oh, yeah, I've
got plenty of experience. I've been on all kinds of roofs." Really?
Without a license?
MS. SCHAUB: That is correct.
CHAIRMAN HAYES: So you have answered the questions
honestly, I believe. You know what I'm saying?
MS. WHITE: I definitely appreciate that, but I'm just
questioning the other side of it. You know, whether the experience is
there for the citizens of Collier County for someone to be on their
roof that's never been on a roof.
CHAIRMAN HAYES: I have to agree with you.
MS. WHITE: I'm a little concerned about that one.
MR. BARTOE: If I may, I believe when this section -- this
license was added to the ordinance -- and maybe Mr. Neale can
correct me if I'm wrong. I believe if-- if people -- you know, showed
that they had a cleaning license, they had X amount of days to be
grandfathered in; is that correct, Mr. Neale?
MR. NEALE: I believe so, but I'm not 100 percent sure on that
one. That's--
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February 20, 2002
CHAIRMAN HAYES: I think Mr. Crawford actually brought
up a real good point earlier. Cleaning and painting are two different
animals.
MS. SCHAUB: That is correct.
CHAIRMAN HAYES: I'm -- I'm not real comfortable with
those licenses all being together to begin with. Painting a roof and
pressure cleaning a roof are like new construction and remodel.
They're night and day different.
MR. BARTOE: And probably 90 percent of your people
licensed to do it do not paint.
MR. JOSLIN: How did that portion of that license or that
requirement get into that particular license? How did we add that to
it?
MR. BARTOE: I do not know.
MR. JOSLIN: How do you paint a roof?.
CHAIRMAN HAYES: Mr. Neale, do you have the state
statute? Do they have a license similar to that? Why they married
actual physical painting and cleaning in the same --
MR. CRAWFORD: Well, it's probably because typically you
would pressure clean it before you repaint it, resurface and that's --
CHAIRMAN HAYES: And that -- and I understand that. But if
all I want is -- is cleaning, why should you do -- be the burden.
That's kind of like some of our other licenses. You got to go through
an awful lot to get a big boy license to do a little bit of work. MR. CRAWFORD: I agree.
MR. NEALE: State licensure is -- this is a solely local license,
so it doesn't fall under any -- CHAIRMAN HAYES:
at all?
MR. NEALE: No.
MR. BARTOE:
It's not regulated under the state statute
No, sir. And I believe one of the main reasons
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February 20, 2002
for putting this in the ordinance originally was due to damage that
could be caused by the contractor, especially on tile roofs. And the
way it was before, if we got any complaints, we could do nothing
about it because they were not licensed through our department. And
now we can -- if they're properly licensed, we can work to resolve the
matter if there's damage.
MR. NEALE: Mr. Bartoe is exactly right on that. As I
remember the process of it being adopted, and the process was such
that this board had received -- staff had received a number of
complaints on contractors who did roof cleaning or painting and
damage to tile roofs and -- or roofs generally, and there was no way
the board could go after them. So the board created this license
category.
MS. WHITE: Does this also -- the painting, does this also
include the roof coating that they're doing so much around town --
that's considered painting?
MR. NEALE' That's part of the -- part of what's permitted.
This is a roof coating, painting, and cleaning license. So it's a fairly
broad scope.
MS. WHITE: It sure is.
CHAIRMAN HAYES: Well, we're missing our resident roofer
this morning. He would probably be able to add something to this
particular case. In any event, we have to go forward with it. Mr.
Bartoe, in the past I'm sure that we have, for one reason or another,
issued licenses with similar circumstances, but we've also been
placing restrictions on those licenses. Is there any way that we could
possibly entertain the possibility of granting the license with the
restrictions of nonpainting and allowing these people to continue with
their life?
MR. BARTOE: I feel you could, but Mr. Neale could probably
direct you better on that.
Page 17
February 20, 2002
MR. NEALE: As you correctly said, the board has in the past
issued restricted certificates of competency. The example listed in
the ordinance is that an applicant for a certificate is a floor covering
installation contractor. They have the required experience of laying
carpets and/or tiles but not wood flooring. So they can be restricted
to only one portion, and I know this board in the past has -- has
granted licenses that are restricted to certain areas of the scope of the
license.
MR. CRAWFORD: I hate to be the bad guy here, and I know
roof cleaning probably isn't that difficult, but there are concerns about
breaking tiles, about falling off, about safety, and I think without any
roof experience at all this board would be foolish to grant that
license. Perhaps you could gain some experience and come back,
and then there would be something for us to put our feet into, but
right now there's no experience, and you're a very honest and capable
person. But, Mr. Chairman, I make a motion that we deny this
request until we see some type of experience. MS. WHITE: White, second.
CHAIRMAN HAYES: I have a motion and a second. Any
further discussion on the topic? (No response.)
MR. JOSLIN: I have one thing to ask -- to ask. With this
particular license in place, the way it stands now, how -- if she's only
doing pressure cleaning on lanais and patios, outside ground level
work, how would someone gain experience?
MR. BARTOE: The only way would be to be an employee of a
licensed company.
CHAIRMAN HAYES: Go to work for somebody.
MR. BARTOE: The only legal way.
CHAIRMAN HAYES: That's the general way it happens
anyway, apprenticeship, programming under a licensed contractor for
Page 18
February 20, 2002
a length of time and --
MR. NEALE: Helpers, roofers -- you know.
CHAIRMAN HAYES: Exactly.
MR. NEALE: And the plumbing and electrical have organized
apprenticeship programs.
CHAIRMAN HAYES: I realize, Ms. Schaub, that we're not
talking rocket science here.
MS. SCHAUB: That's correct. Obviously, it's not rocket
science.
CHAIRMAN HAYES: So much so that there's not even a
technical exam for it. So the only thing qualifying you to do this type
of work is your experience.
MS. SCHAUB: Exactly.
CHAIRMAN HAYES: Had you had an exam, a technical exam,
for it and passed that and still been short your experience, I think this
board would probably feel a little bit different about it. But since
there's not any way of testing your skill in the particular trade --
again, I know it's not rocket science, but we are charged with
maintaining some form of integrity in the licensing industry. And I
think Mr. Crawford has just -- right on target that this board would
have a hard time based on nothing.
MS. SCHAUB: Okay. And that's fine. Just note that we did try
to do the legal thing of going through and having someone sponsor
us. Obviously, competition is really tough out there, and no one was
willing to do that. I contacted four companies just so you know.
CHAIRMAN HAYES' There is no question about it, and I
really am not thrilled about rewarding your honesty with a negative;
however, something needs to be in place, some other form, and I
think we'd be more than thrilled to say thank you for your honesty
and integrity, and I wish we could do more.
I have a motion and a second on the floor. Any further
Page 19
February 20, 2002
discussion?
(No response.)
CHAIRMAN HAYES:
All in favor.
(Unanimous response.)
CHAIRMAN HAYES:
(No response.)
I need to call for the vote.
Opposed.
CHAIRMAN HAYES' And your reason for being here this
morning?
MR. CAMARILLO. Sir, I'd like to request that the board grant
me my license. I couldn't pass the test 'cause I have a speech
impediment. I can't put the words together. I tried it three times, and
every time I go back I do better and better, but not quite yet doing the
test, the 75 percent. I'm more than equipped to do the irrigation. If
the board permits me, I have some blueprints' that shows the work I'm
doing, the future work I'm going to be doing with the company I'm
Page 20
CHAIRMAN HAYES: I apologize at this point.
MS. SCHAUB' No problem. Thank you-all for your time.
CHAIRMAN HAYES: Jose Camarillo, are you here, sir?
MR. CAMARILLO: Yes, sir.
CHAIRMAN HAYES' Request to be granted irrigation
sprinkler license withoUt exams. Good morning. MR. CAMARILLO: Good morning.
CHAIRMAN HAYES: I'm going to ask you to be sworn in.
MR. CAMARILLO: Yes, sir.
(The oath was administered.)
CHAIRMAN HAYES: Your name for the record.
MR. CAMARILLO:: Jose Luis Camarillo.
CHAIRMAN HAYES: Say your last name again.
MR. CAMARILLO: Camarillo, like, "Amarillo" just with a
February 20, 2002
working with right now.
CHAIRMAN HAYES: Where are you working right now?
MR. CAMARILLO: For DiVosta, right offVanderbilt Beach,
DiVosta Homes.
CHAIRMAN HAYES: DiVosta Homes?
MR. CAMARILLO: Yes. Yes, sir.
CHAIRMAN HAYES: What capacity are you working there
now in?
MR. CAMARILLO: I'm the lead man. I have seven people
under me. We do the mainline irrigation system. I do the blueprints,
make sure every house is properly-- for the inspections before the
inspectors get there to inspect it.
CHAIRMAN HAYES: Are you an employee for DiVosta?
MR. CAMARILLO: Yes, sir, at this time.
MR. JOSLIN: How long have you been doing this business?
MR. CAMARILLO: I've been doing the irrigation business for
15 years.
CHAIRMAN HAYES: Here in Naples?
MR. CAMARILLO: Right outside Naples. I think it's 858 or
Oil Road-- Oil Well Road, citrus companies, that kind, and then I
just moved. They work too many hours, so I decided to get a daytime
job too.
MR. CRAWFORD: Mr. Camarillo, your experience seems to
be in place, and it's the test that's giving you a hard time. The
concern to this board, I think, would be your ability to manage a
business and handle accounts and properly estimate costs, and our
concern would be to the consumer. Have you ever managed a
business or--
MR. CAMARILLO: I -- most of my businesses my wife and I
sit down and discuss it. We hire a personal accountant for our
records; that way we won't make mistakes. He goes back and for--
Page 21
February 20, 2002
as to make sure the customers -- that's -- I'm going to get into that
with the customers, and I'm going to give them a guarantee where if I
make a mistake I can come back and ensure them the mistake will be
with no cost to them.
CHAIRMAN HAYES' What's your level of, education?
MR. CAMARILLO: I went to the 11 th grade, sir, in Stuart,
Florida, but it was in '75 that I attended school and then had to drop
out to help my f,amily support themselves. So I.just kept to the
irrigation business and other source of, work since then.
CHAIRMAN HAYES: It's not like you haven't tried. I see three
attempts, three separate occasions; November of' last year, January of,
this year, and August of, last year.
MR. CAMARILLO: Yes, sir.
MR. DUNNE: Pardon me. Can I take a look at one of. the plan
sets, Mr. Chairman?
CHAIRMAN HAYES: Sure.
MR. CAMARILLO: May I? This is --
CHAIRMAN HAYES: Come on up.
MR. CAMARILLO: -- if, anybody wants to see some more.
Some of, the blueprints are f,rom last year's project that I
accomplished. One of' them is the present that I'm working on, and
another one blueprint is the future in a couple months that I have to
be aware of'bef,ore I go bef,ore --
MR. DUNNE' Are you involved with -- when you're at DiVosta
-- Island Walk, is that the one?
MR. CAMARILLO: Yes, sir.
MR. DUNNE. Are you involved with talking with the
purchasing people and telling them how much pipe you need to do a
certain portion of, the work?
MR. CAMARILLO: No, sir. That is done in back. Everything
have to be placed. You have to go to the units, and ! have another
Page 22
February 20, 2002
man that does that, and I stay in front of them, make sure everything
is being put properly. So there's a supervisor. I am just a foreman.
MR. DUNNE: Okay.
MR. CRAWFORD: The point of the question, I believe, was,
do you have the ability to estimate pipe, to estimate cost?
MR. CAMARILLO: Yes, sir. That is -- I think if there's a letter
-- oh, I got a letter here that that's part of my job. I got to do
inventory every week, make sure how much we're spending, and I got
that letter with me. If you like to see it, I would be more than
welcome to show it to you.
MR. DUNNE: Yes. Thank you.
CHAIRMAN HAYES: Mr. Camarillo, the licensing practice
and procedure and ordinances and statutes are for a reason. What
would you suggest the reason for that is other than the government
wanting to make money?
MR. CAMARILLO: The reason is for you to comply with
coding and make you familiar with that coding. That's for the benefit
of everybody, sir.
CHAIRMAN HAYES: Why do you think the testing is in
place?
MR. CAMARILLO: The test is to -- to give you -- see how
much you know about the license you want to accomplish or attain.
MS. WHITE: So your problem with the testing is the language
barrier; is that correct?
MR. CAMARILLO: Yes, ma'am. If you notice, every time I
went I did better and better, but still not -- I read the book, like, three
times, and my wife helps me with the words. And I try to get -- I
want to do -- if I go back, if you deny me, I still going to be trying.
I'm going to come back if I have to, but I'm -- I'm going to go back to
school, take night classes, get my GED so I can help -- better help
myself.
Page 23
February 20, 2002
MR. CRAWFORD: Mr. Bartoe, is there a -- an oral exam
available locally?
MR. BARTOE: Yes, I believe there is.
MR. CRAWFORD: That may be an option.
CHAIRMAN HAYES: We -- we hoped for that in the past. I
don't think that's an easy task to get into.
MR. NEALE: Just for the board's consideration, in 22-184 of
the Collier County Ordinance, Subsection C (as read): "The board
may consider the applicant's relevant recent experience in the specific
trade and based upon such experience may waive testing
requirements if convinced that the applicant is qualified by
experience whereby such competency -- competency testing would
be superfluous." That would be for the board.
MR. DUNNE: Thank you. That's very informative. Can I make
a comment?
CHAIRMAN HAYES: Sure.
MR. DUNNE: I -- I think from the letter that I saw from
DiVosta the people that you work for are very impressed with your --
your skill in doing the irrigation, and they are apparently aware that
you're here, and you're apparently trying your best to do this and,
hopefully, we can find a way to help this gentleman, and my
comment's said there.
CHAIRMAN HAYES: Mr. Dunne, in the past we have been
known to consider temporary licensing based on conditions changing
in the near future and a time limit on it. We have had times that an
individual, like Mr. Camarillo, has been in here and they've got a job
opportunity facing them within the next week or two or three, and
without that job opportunity they're not going to be able to go in
business for a much longer time. And we have seen fit to grant a
temporary license so that he wouldn't miss the boat at that particular
time, but still yet require that they come up with the qualifications at
Page 24
February 20, 2002
a later date. Should they not later become qualified, then the license
is revoked.
There are some possible remedies and options here. My concern
even with doing that is for what reason does it need to be expedited in
a temporary manner? I'm going' to tell you that I'd be surprised.
I agree with Mr. Neale in what you're saying when such testing
would be superfluous. Doesn't that mainly apply to a lapsed license,
whereas, they have had the exam perhaps at one time or something
has changed in their industry, for example, needing the business and
law where they didn't need it before?
MR. NEALE: This board has in the past, in my memory,
reviewed applications where the person has had extensive experience
outside this jurisdiction and was applying for a new license and
granted licenses on that basis. I believe the board has also granted a
license in the past on a basis of extensive experience for someone
who was unable to pass the test. I think the board has taken these
steps based on the evidence presented.
CHAIRMAN HAYES: I'm -- my memory is just not all that
wonderful. I do agree with you that I can remember that we have
done that, but I also was under the impression we did one or two
things with it; either some form of restriction and/or temperance. It
was temporary until such time as this or that was done. Now, I don't
remember for sure, Mr. Bartoe. Do you remember?
MR. BARTOE: Also to add to what Mr. Neale said, I remember
in the past where a young gentleman only needed a business and law
test for a license he was going for, and he just could not pass it, and
he testified that his mother and an accountant did his books, and the
board accepted that.
MR. CRAWFORD: He was a carpet installer. That was about
three months ago.
CHAIRMAN HAYES: Right.
Page 25
February 20, 2002
MS. WHITE: My only concern is the business and law.
Because, I mean, as far as running the business, he does all the
material ordering. It's noted in the DiVosta letter. MR. CAMARILLO: Yes, ma'am.
MS. WHITE: He runs a crew. I'm sure he knows what he's
doing. It's just this business and law aspect of it.
MR. CAMARILLO: I read the book, like, three times, and I'm
familiar with it, but I just can't put it into words because most of my
life, like, I've been working with my hands. When you get a book,
it's kind of hard for me to, you know, comprehend what they're
saying. So that's why we hired a man to run our books. That way
there won't be no mistake on our part or me charging anybody more
than we should. So that's -- that's -- and my wife is going to help.
She's going to run that. She's smarter. I'm going to do the -- the
labor work.
MR. CRAWFORD: What were your immediate plans for your
new business?
MR. CAMARILLO: Right now get all the licenses and then get
more familiar with the -- with where the purchases is where I can --
then when I feel comfortable, I can give better estimates, sir.
MR. CRAWFORD: But, in other words, you're not going to go
to work directly for DiVosta? They will continue their own
company?
MR. CAMARILLO: Excuse me?
CHAIRMAN HAYES: In other words, will you work for
DiVosta Homes?
MR. CAMARILLO: Yes, sir.
CHAIRMAN HAYES: After you get this license?
MR. CAMARILLO: Yes, sir. I'm going to work still for
DiVosta --
CHAIRMAN HAYES: Okay.
Page 26
February 20, 2002
MR. CAMARILLO: -- probably another year until I'm sure that
my business is going to pick up and make sure I'm doing it right.
CHAIRMAN HAYES: I would possibly entertain a temporary
license. What my concern would be -- would be that if we were to
recommend to issue you a temporary license, say, for perhaps one
year, and at the end of one year come back before the board and
without any customer complaints, Mr. Bartoe, or any other outside
influence, perhaps we could make it a permanent license after that
period of time if we choose to do so. I am concerned with just
saying, "It's over with. You can have your license. See you around"
at this point. But if we can maintain some form of surveillance and
revisit this thing in a period of time, I might feel a little bit more
comfortable myself as to granting maybe a temporary license. Mr.
Neale, you have any thoughts on that?
MR. NEALE: Well, just again, I guess I've been sitting in this
chair for too long. I remember more things than most. In the past
what this board has done, they've taken several approaches to these
type situations. One approach the board has taken in the past was to
grant a conditional license subject to the person operating the
business without complaint for a period of a year to be reviewed by
staff. If the staff had a complaint, then it would come back before the
board. If the staff had heard no complaints and had no problems,
then it would automatically be granted as a -- as a standard license, so
it avoided this board having to re-review it again in a year. But it did
require staff to monitor it over the period of the year and go forward
there. The other thing the board has done in the past is to require the
applicant to come back in a yearl present what he had done over the
course of that year, and the board could review it. So the board has
pretty wide latitude in that.
CHAIRMAN HAYES: Mr. Bartoe, do you remember any of
those occurrences?
Page 27
February 20, 2002
MR. BARTOE: Yeah, I remember those occurrences. I don't
remember anybody ever having to come back before the board
because of complaints.
CHAIRMAN HAYES: Well, one of my concerns is when that
license gets issued is the word "temporary" on that puppy.'?
MR. BARTOE: Whatever the board's request is, temporary,
conditional.
CHAIRMAN HAYES: And then next time if-- if perhaps
somehow or another we missed our window of time limit, the next
time that license came up for renewal the agency perhaps could see
the word "temporary" and realize that this wasn't a permanent to
begin with.
MR. BARTOE: Correct.
CHAIRMAN HAYES: That's what I would be concerned with.
MR. NEALE: It's my understanding that staff when -- when --
these licenses would have a legend on them of temporary,
conditional, restricted or whatever when they come up for renewal.
Staff pays special attention to those licenses, reviews them, reviews
the file, and makes sure everything is cleaned up to that point. So,
am I correct, Mr. Bartoe?
MR. BARTOE: That's correct.
CHAIRMAN HAYES: Any recommendations?
MR. CRAWFORD: I think that's appropriate here, Mr.
Chairman. I'd like to make a motion that we approve Mr. Camarillo's
irrigation license on a conditional basis that staff will review and
monitor it over a one-year period with the word "conditional" printed
on the license. That's it.
MS. WHITE: Second, White.
CHAIRMAN HAYES: I have a motion and a second. Any
further discussion?
MR. NEALE: The only thing that we -- that the board has done
Page 28
February 20, 2002
in the past is set forth what the conditions were so that the staff has
some guidance on that.
MR. CRAWFORD: I guess the conditions would be that are --
if there are any complaints of any kind that the -- Mr. Camarillo
would appear before this board and review them.
CHAIRMAN HAYES: Whether the complaints were
substantiated or not?
MR. CRAWFORD: I think so.
CHAIRMAN HAYES: Okay. We have an amended motion.
MR. DUNNE: Could you repeat that again, what about the
complaints being--
CHAIRMAN HAYES: Substantiated?
MR. DUNNE: Right.
CHAIRMAN HAYES: If there was a complaint--
MR. DUNNE: Right.
CHAIRMAN HAYES: -- but it was called in as a complaint and
perhaps found to be not of significant substance to be able to file a
written compliant, I still want to know it was a complaint. In other
words --
MR. DUNNE: You want to know it's a complaint but that it
hasn't been proved and it's just a complaint.
CHAIRMAN HAYES: At this point in time, being a temporary
from this board, I'm suggesting that a conviction is not necessary.
MR. DUNNE: Okay. Fine. Oh, somebody can just call up and
complain and then--
CHAIRMAN HAYES: I'm not saying that that will deny our
reapproval. I just want to know about it.
(Multiple speakers.)
MR. DUNNE: Fine. No problem.
MR. BARTOE: Because, Mr. Dunne, we do get frivolous
complaints at times.
Page 29
February 20, 2002
CHAIRMAN HAYES: Yes, we do. No question.
MR. DUNNE: Right. IfI could just ask
Mr. Camarillo, is it your intention to go and try and take this test
again?
MR. CAMARILLO: Yes, sir.
MR. DUNNE: Like the business law, and you said your wife is
-- is pretty good at some of that so -- MR. CAMARILLO: Yes, sir.
MR. DUNNE: -- she can maybe help you along?
MR. CAMARILLO: Yes, sir.
MR. DUNNE: Okay. Great.
MR. CAMARILLO: I have given -- what it is that every time I
go there I get so nervous and they only give you such amount of time.
I start to do it, then before I know it time is getting away from me, so
I just start going faster, and that's my problem, sir. I don't want to
rush it if-- I know if I could take it again -- plus, if you notice, every
time I do it I get better and better at it, but it also costs money, you
know, and my wife -- I'm the only supporter of the family, so I just
can't be missing work and going to take these tests.
MR. CRAWFORD: Right. But just so we're clear, if this
motion passes, it would be frivolous for you to retake the test.
MS. WHITE: I have a question.
CHAIRMAN HAYES: Yes.
MS. WHITE: Why couldn't we give this exam without a time
limit, if that's the problem?
MR. NEALE: Because they won't. That's the way it's -- it's a
three-hour test or a two-hour test, and that's the way they're set up by
the testing agency.
MS. WHITE: And we have no ability to amend that?
MR. NEALE: No.
CHAIRMAN HAYES: That's correct. Mr. Crawford, the words
Page 30
February 20, 2002
of the motion are -- in fact, it may even be that before it's over with it
may need to be repeated, and I hate to do that to you, but the way I
understand the motion is he's done trying to pass tests if we approve
this motion on the floor.
MR. CRAWFORD: Correct.
CHAIRMAN HAYES: Okay.
MR. CRAWFORD: So let me restate the motion just so we're
all clear. Mr. Chairman, the motion is that we approve Mr.
Camarillo's irrigation license on a conditional basis with the words
"conditional" stamped on his license, and if there are any complaints
of any kind over a one-year period from the date of issuance he will
be requested to appear before this board so we can discuss the
complaints.
MS. WHITE: Second, White.
CHAIRMAN HAYES: We do have a restated motion, and we
do have a second. Any other discussion on the issue? (No response.)
CHAIRMAN HAYES: Call for the vote. All in favor.
(Unanimous response.)
CHAIRMAN HAYES: Opposed.
(No response.)
CHAIRMAN HAYES: It carries. You're going to have a
conditional license.
MR. CAMARILLO: Thank you.
CHAIRMAN HAYES: You're welcome.
MR. BARTOE: Mr. Camarillo, you'll have to come in the office
tomorrow, and you can take care of obtaining that license from the
office staff, Maggie or Karen.
MR. CAMARILLO: Okay, sir.
MR. DUNNE: Good luck.
CHAIRMAN HAYES: Is that the letter?
Page 31
February 20, 2002
MS. WHITE: Oh, yes.
CHAIRMAN HAYES: Here's that letter here. Good luck.
Okay. That concludes our new business. Under old business I have
three items. Is there something we missed, or are you just enjoying
the entertainment? Okay. Okay. You're going to challenge us one
day, huh?
MR. DUNNE: Come by and visit any day.
MR. CRAWFORD: You're very welcome to stay. We thought
we were holding you up. Okay. All right.
MR. BARTOE: Did Mr. Caughenbaugh show up?
MR. CAUGHENBAUGH: Yes.
CHAIRMAN HAYES: Oh, that's good. Great. Would you
come up, sir. We'll continue with the new business. Timothy
Caughenbaugh, request to qualify second entity. Would you come up
to the podium, please? I'm going to ask you to be sworn in before we
go any further.
(The oath was administered.)
CHAIRMAN HAYES: Your name for the record.
MR. CAUGHENBAUGH: Tim Caughenbaugh.
CHAIRMAN HAYES: Good morning, sir. You're reason for
being here this morning?
MR. CAUGHENBAUGH: To apply for a second license in
same business that I'm in right now.
CHAIRMAN HAYES: What's wrong with the license and
business you have now?
MR. CAUGHENBAUGH: Not a thing.
CHAIRMAN HAYES: Then why are you--
MR. CAUGHENBAUGH: I bought a glass franchise which
now would be auto glass which we don't do and, you know, 24-hour
glass replacement with the franchise. There's about 100 of us now in
the country. Every three months we get together, share ideas, and we
Page 32
February 20, 2002
have a staff which helps us with marketing, advertising. I never have
before.
CHAIRMAN HAYES: What is your total affiliation with the
new entity? Do you own it lock, stock, and barrel?
MR. CAUGHENBAUGH: You mean-- yes.
CHAIRMAN HAYES: The new company?
MR. CAUGHENBAUGH: This franchise, correct.
MR. CRAWFORD: What's the name of the new business?
MR. CAUGHENBAUGH: Glass Doctor.
MR. CRAWFORD: Glass Doctor. Apparently you qualified
Gary's Glass?
MR. CAUGHENBAUGH: Correct.
MR. NEALE: I just want to make it clear for the board and
myself, the new entity will do only automotive glass, or does it do all
types?
MR. CAUGHENBAUGH: Automotive and, like, flat glass,
glazed-- you know, broken glass, emergencies, 24-hour. Which we -
- we have the capability of doing now.
CHAIRMAN HAYES: Just like a franchise.
MR. DUNNE: Do you also install shutters?
MR. CAUGHENBAUGH: Yes, we do.
CHAIRMAN HAYES: For the new board members, we review
the entire packet, and one of the items in these packets is always a
credit report, and it needs to be reviewed. And when we're looking at
opposing questions and possibly granting the second entities -- I just
bring it up; he's got an excellent credit report -- but anytime we're
looking at qualifying a second entity, this is a requirement. And it
doesn't -- we need to review it as we're reviewing the whole packet
and understand what we're looking at. MR. DUNNE: Okay.
MR. CRAWFORD: So you said you currently install shutters
Page 33
February 20, 2002
also?
MR,
MR,
MR,
MR,
MR
MR,
CAUGHENBAUGH: Yes.
CRAWFORD: And what license is that?
CAUGHENBAUGH: It's aluminum.
CRAWFORD: Okay.
CAUGHENBAUGH:
CRAWFORD: Okay.
You have the aluminum license?
Yeah.
MR. CAUGHENBAUGH: This would be just glazing over.
CHAIRMAN HAYES: Okay. The company is the Glass
Doctor of Southwest Florida.
MR. CAUGHENBAUGH: Right.
CHAIRMAN HAYES: Is that a d/b/a?
MR. CAUGHENBAUGH: Yes, it is.
CHAIRMAN HAYES: Okay. Because your corporation is
Caughenbaugh Enterprises.
MR. CAUGHENBAUGH: Exactly.
CHAIRMAN HAYES: So it would be Caughenbaugh
Enterprises d/b/a Glass Doctor of Southwest Florida? MR. CAUGHENBAUGH: Correct.
MR. JOSLIN: How long have you owned Gary's Glass?
MR. CAUGHENBAUGH: I'm sorry?
MR. JOSLIN: How long have you owned Gary's Glass?
MR. CAUGHENBAUGH: Over seven years, going on my
eighth year.
MR. JOSLIN: Mr. Chairman, I'll make the motion we grant this
license. I see nothing really wrong with the packet.
CHAIRMAN HAYES: I have a motion. I need a second.
MR. BARIL: Baril, second.
CHAIRMAN HAYES: I have a motion and a second. Any other
discussion?
(No response.)
Page 34
February 20, 2002
CHAIRMAN HAYES:
(Unanimous response.)
CHAIRMAN HAYES:
(No response.)
All in favor.
Opposed.
CHAIRMAN HAYES: Very well. You'll need to wait till
tomorrow before your paperwork's back down to the county, but
you're good to go.
MR. CAUGHENBAUGH: All right. Thank you.
CHAIRMAN HAYES: Thank you. Okay. We have three items
under old business. Item for discussion is the ordinance amendments.
Mr. Zachary, you wanted to mention something on that?
MR. ZACHARY: Yes, Mr. Chairman, we have -- of course, our
ordinance amendment was approved by the board and ready to go,
and then I -- I noticed a couple of things in 489, the state statute that
had changed, and that -- that I assumed you would want to
incorporate into the ordinance revision that we were currently -- we
currently were preparing. But knowing better than to assume
anything, I thought I'd bring it before the board to let you know what
those changes were to get the board's approval before I went ahead.
Then I can incorporate those in the amendment that we have ready to
go very easily and do it all at one time.
The first one was -- and I handed that out to you it's the changes
in the state statute to the commercial pool spa contractor -- residential
pool spa contractor and swimming pool spa contractor licenses, and I
think that pretty well sets out in the handout that I gave you the
changes that are made in the state statute. And that's the discussion I
wanted to have whether the board wanted to incorporate those
changes into our ordinance that would track the language exactly as
in the state statute.
CHAIRMAN HAYES: Okay. The state statute currently allows
solar heating as part of a pool and spa contractors license?
Page 35
February 20, 2002
MR. ZACHARY: No. That was -- that was -- that was
something separate. The solar contractor was a different -- a different
part of the state statute.
I'm I'm just dealing now with the handout I gave you that deals
only with the commercial pool and spa contractor and residential and
swimming pool, which -- which are presently in our ordinance they
just changed the language a little bit.
CHAIRMAN HAYES: Okay. I'm--
MR. ZACHARY: You see the underlines and the strike-
throughs?
CHAIRMAN HAYES: Right. The underlines in the
commercial pool and spa says (as read): "Pool heaters." It doesn't
specify whether they're heat pumps, electric, gas, or solar. So it
really doesn't even relate to the solar license as we have it in the local
ordinance.
MR. ZACHARY: That's correct.
CHAIRMAN HAYES: Then why are we looking at it?
MR. ZACHARY: Because of the changes in the language.
MR. NEALE: In the state statute.
MR. ZACHARY: In the state statute.
MR. CRAWFORD: It looks to me they just clarified a few
things. They just -- they spelled -- spelled out a few things.
MR. ZACHARY: Exactly. The language has been--
MR. CRAWFORD: Pool heaters, perimeter filter piping.
CHAIRMAN HAYES: Okay. The solar contractor is in our
ordinance; right?
MR. BARTOE: Mr. Hayes?
CHAIRMAN HAYES: Yes, sir.
MR. BARTOE: They're discussing page 29.
CHAIRMAN HAYES: Yeah.
MR. BARTOE: Underlying -- underlined words are added.
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February 20, 2002
CHAIRMAN HAYES: I've got it. I just didn't see the word
"solar" anywhere in here.
MR. BARTOE: Ah, that will come later, I believe.
MR. NEALE. That's later. That's something different. That's a
different -- that's a different topic.
CHAIRMAN HAYES: I apologize. I'm just floating around
lost. Okay. So Section "O" in our ordinance under solar contractor--
MR. LLOYD: Excuse me, Mr. Chairman, no, this sheet right
here (indicating) will be discussed later. Just turn it over for a
moment. We're going to be looking at page 29 only. CHAIRMAN HAYES: Thank you.
MR. ZACHARY: And that was just a page 29 out of-- out of
the laws or the whole session law, so you just got part of that session
law, and that part just deals with 489-105, which is the state statute,
and we track the language of the state statute as far as state certified
and registered contractors in our ordinance. And they've changed the
language of these three particular state licenses, and so my suggestion
is that we just amend our ordinance to track the language as it is in
the state statute, which we -- in every other category we do that
anyway. So just to -- just to have our language current and updated
with the state statute.
CHAIRMAN HAYES: Mr. Bartoe, are you familiar with the
difference in those two languages now?
MR. BARTOE: I'm familiar with what Mr. Zachary is
requesting the board to approve, and I agree with him. It's the new
wording that's underlined in the state statutes for commercial pool
contractors, residential pool contractors to -- to add that to our
ordinance so that our ordinance coincides with what the state is
doing.
CHAIRMAN HAYES: Okay. My only concern with that-- and
the reason I ask for it is -- that if you have been going down the road
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February 20, 2002
for the last few years enforcing our ordinance, not 489, but our
ordinance and there was some significant changes in the
qualifications to carry that license or operate under that license, that
you wouldn't in trouble if that all got changed and you weren't aware
of it, or didn't realize the ramifications on our local contractors.
MR. BARTOE: I believe we have a pool contractor on the
board, and you should get his thoughts on this. CHAIRMAN HAYES: Good point.
MR. ZACHARY: And, Mr. Chairman, if I could add, too, that's
generally what we do. I know the last one with Mr. -- Mr. Palmer
was here, the last ordinance amendment that we did, we went back in
and incorporated the language that they added or taken away from the
state statute in our ordinance. So this is a periodic thing that we do to
keep -- to keep up with the language that states -- pretty much
mandates that they're certified and registered contractors. This is
nothing that Collier County itself is going to do that -- all of the state
certified contractors are going to have to do that anyway with the
state statute.
CHAIRMAN HAYES: I agree. There's no question that
throughout the -- as long as I've been on this board we've done our
very best to track along with -- parallel to the state in all of its
writings, because it is almost impossible to enforce one format of it
without enforcing the other. So I understand that and that makes
sense. I just didn't want any surprises on our local contractors that,
well, now that we've amended our ordinance, you've got to have 88
more years of experience before you can get this license.
MR. NEALE: And the -- the issue with this really is more
important in licenses that are described specifically in state statute
and, therefore, are registered licenses. Because if there are registered
license or required to be a registered license, it really should mirror
the state statute.
Page 38
February 20, 2002
CHAIRMAN HAYES: Right. Okay.
MR. JOSLIN: If I could add something, just for the record I
guess. The way I read this and the way that I have been a pool
contractor for as many as years as I have, what appears they've done
is just taking the superfluous words out of the ordinance to shorten it
up. Meaning that construction is all things that are related to the
construction of a swimming pool. In that ordinance what they did
was they broke it down into all the things that are included in'that
scope of the work, and all they did, I believe, on this -- this particular
ordinance is they've taken out all the little items and just put them all
into one word meaning construction.
MR. CRAWFORD: Yeah. It looks like what they did, Mr.
Joslin, is they -- this affects probably the maintenance licenses more
than the contractor license, like, I would assume that now a
maintenance contractor cannot replace a pump, and my question
would be, have they been doing that in Collier County to date?
MR. JOSLIN: Maintenance contractor is allowed to replace
equipment.
MR. CRAWFORD: Okay. So is there an overlap in licenses
then?
MR. NEALE: There is and, in fact, it's even addressed in--
MR. CRAWFORD: Oh, good.
MR. NEALE: -- in one of these, wherein it says the scope of
work -- I just had it and I lost it -- where the scope of work does
include a license set out below it, it's -- so they recognize that in here,
I think.
MR. BARTOE: If I may --
MR. NEALE: Yeah. It's in "J," commercial pool and spa
contractor is -- it goes through and then after the strike-through --
let's see, and also includes the scope of work with a swimming pool
and spa-servicing contractor. So they by specific reference have
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February 20, 2002
incorporated swimming pool and spa servicing contractor and
commercial pool and spa contractor, and they've also done the same
in the residential pool and spa contractor. So they recognize that
there is an overlap of work there. So the people with the higher-level
license can -- are specifically permitted to do everything.
MR. CRAWFORD: That's what I thought. I think it's just a
clarification.
MR. NEALE: Right. The thing is if you look at it, the language
that's struck out basically tells you how to build a pool, whereas the
new language says you're allowed to build a pool. Because if they --
you know, theoretically if they had left something out of there in
what's been stricken, theoretically a pool contractor could go out and
not be able to build a pool because it didn't say that he could put in
XYZ, because it wasn't specifically listed. So they've made it simpler
to administer, I think, frankly.
MR. CRAWFORD: We don't make the product; we make the
product better.
MR. NEALE: That's it. Right.
CHAIRMAN HAYES: Mr. Bartoe, did you have something
else to say?
MR. BARTOE: I was going to add that -- I see what they have
underlined as new is we already have in here worded, but Mr. Neale
just explained that, how it'll have to be changed.
CHAIRMAN HAYES: Okay. Mr. Zachary, you looking for a
motion from this board to approve or--
MR. ZACHARY: Or just some direction and general
consensus, and I'll go ahead and put it in -- put it in the amendment. I
don't know whether the board wants me to bring the amendment
back, or we can 'take this and run with it.
MR. NEALE: Take it to the county commission.
MR. ZACHARY: Take it to the commissioners as is if you
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February 20, 2002
approve this language or give me direction that this language is fine
that we change the language of our ordinance to track exactly the
state statute.
CHAIRMAN HAYES: I think more than anything else this
board appreciates the fact that you brought this to our attention.
There's not a whole lot we're going to suggest other than to go
forward with it anyway. So ! don't know. Does anybody on the
board feel we need to make a motion or just nod our heads perhaps?
MR. ZACHARY: Or a motion if you feel more comfortable
would be on the record, and there wouldn't be any doubt.
MR. NEALE: I think that would be appropriate.
CHAIRMAN HAYES: Okay. I need a motion to approve the
amendments.
MR. CRAWFORD: Mr. Chairman, I make a motion that we
approve the amended state statute and adopt it within our local
ordinance.
MR. JOSLIN: Joslin, second.
CHAIRMAN HAYES: I have a motion and second. Any
further discussion?
(No response.)
CHAIRMAN HAYES: All in favor.
(Unanimous response.)
CHAIRMAN HAYES: Opposed.
(No response.)
CHAIRMAN HAYES: Super. It's official.
MR. ZACHARY: Okay. Now, there was -- there was another--
another two paragraphs in the state statute that have been there that
are not included in our ordinance either, and I discussed this briefly
with staff, and one of them is the solar contractor which is the single
sheet I gave you. It's under paragraph "O," and paragraph "P" is
pollution -- pollutant storage systems contractor. Now, Mr. Bartoe
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February 20, 2002
and I discussed that, and there's a-- in our ordinance there is a
specialty contractor that's entitled "solar heater installation
contractor." So this -- the state statute actually goes beyond what our
ordinance provides for.
And also there's a -- under our ordinance there's a pollution
storage contractor, and we've looked at that, but-- and that says --
and that specifically says that we do not have a -- a county certificate
of competency is not available for a pollution storage contractor.
And the contractor must have a state pollution license. So between
staff, our discussions, we think maybe we ought to leave that one
alone, but I want the board to look at the language of that solar
contractor that I handed out, and perhaps we can discuss whether they
want to incorporate or we want to incorporate that language into our
ordinance or leave our ordinance alone as it is.
MR. NEALE: I would think just -- to the counsel and board, I
would suggest that the board does adopt this language with the
addition of our requirements. That's the other thing that was on the
previous one, the requirements for testing and such will be included
in the -- will be mirrored -- will be the same requirements as we
currently have, so that will be added to the beginning of this
swimming pool and spa and all those. And the same thing with the
solar heater or solar contractor.
I would suggest that the board adopt the state language because,
again, this is a contract, a license category that's required to be
registered and because it is enumerated in the' statute, so you want to
mirror the statute as closely as you possibly can. But this board can
set out the licensing requirements -- the testing requirements and so
forth.
MR. ZACHARY: If I might -- I'm sorry I didn't make a copy of
our ordinance, but if I could quickly read it. It's pretty short (as
read): "The solar heating installation contractor requires 24 months
Page 42
February 20, 2002
experience, a passing grade on a three-hour test, and a passing grade
on a two-hour business and law test.
That means those who have knowledge to install, alter, repair, or
replace any solar hot water heating system for residences or for
residential swimming pools including collectors, storage, and
expansion tanks, heat exchangers, piping, valves, pumps, sensors, and
low voltage controls which connect to existing plumbing, stubouts,
and electrical disconnects."
So that's a little bit different language, and it includes only solar
swimming pool installations, I believe.
MR. NEALE: Actually, it does all.
MR. ZACHARY: Yes.
MR. NEALE: But the big difference that I read is that our solar
heater installation contractor solely permits residential installations.
It does not permit commercial installation.
MR. BARTOE: And I met with other staff members this
morning, and we feel scratch residential. If you can do it in
residential, why can't you do it in commercial.
MR. NEALE: Right. Well, and that's the thing is the proposed
language from the state says that you can do it whether public,
private, or otherwise regardless of use. So that opens it up to any
types of installation.
MR. BARTOE: I think the easiest -- I think the easiest way to
make our ordinance coincide with the state is to just scratch out "for
residences" and "for residential."
MR. NEALE: I -- well, I agree that would get most of it done. I
would recommend to the board and recommend to staff that we adopt
the language as set out in the statute just so that we're consistent.
MR. JOSLIN: I have to make a comment on this only because
what you're telling me is that a solar contractor -- by taking out the
residential portion and making him a full-blown solar contractor to do
Page 43
February 20, 2002
either commercial or residential swimming, pools, I have a problem
with that for sure, because I can count numerous developments here
that have solar heaters in them, and they're always installed
improperly by solar contractors. A commercial pool has to have a
certain flow rate. We just start tapping into some pumps, breaking
systems open and putting in solar panels, you're dealing with
pressure, and you're probably going to be depleting the capability of
that pool to turn over its pumpage overtimes. And I don't feel as
though a solar contractor has the -- call it the experience requirements
that would allow him to do that. So I would like to leave the word
"residential" in there and let the pool contractor handle installation
for a solar or make it a combination of both. That's going to turn him
into a pool contractor in a sense or servicing contractor to a degree.
MR. CRAWFORD: But then where does the commercial solar
contractor go?
MR. NEALE: He would be the guy with a state license.
MR. CRAWFORD: Okay.
MR. JOSLIN: Right. Right. He'd have to be, exactly.
MR. CRAWFORD: Which--
MR. JOSLIN: As I -- as I read the statute -- and I'm not really
certain if this is true or not, because that's what I've been told,
because I haven't tried to do it since someone told me that I couldn't.
But by this new code we just adopted a few minutes ago, it says that I
would be allowed or any pool contractor would be allowed to install
package pool heaters. Now, how do we define a "pool package, pool
heater"? Is a solar system a package pool heater?
CHAIRMAN HAYES: Any heaters. It says pool heaters,
period. It didn't define what type it was or anything else.
MR. JOSLIN: It says pretty clear right here. It says (as read):
"The installation of package pool heaters."
MR. NEALE: Package pool heaters is what it says, yeah.
Page 44
February 20, 2002
MR. JOSLIN: So I can go down to Home Depot or go to Pinch-
a-Penny and buy ten panels, buy the valves, buy the equipment,
everything I need as a package and go put it on as a pool contractor.
I have been told in the past that I have to have a separate license to do
this. So I'm not allowed to touch solar systems.
MR. NEALE: I -- I think it all depends on how you define
"package pool heaters." I have -- I have no idea what that is so ...
CHAIRMAN HAYES: It seems quite clear in this what we --
this ordinance amendment that we've already adopted that you are
legally allowed to do that at this point.
MR. JOSLIN: Right. Yup. I don't know how the -- how the
county requirements have -- do they go above that, or have they set
other rules that I'm not really aware of or of what a pool contractor
can do? Because I've been told by several solar people -- installers
that a pool contractor cannot put up a solar system. It's solely now a
solar license, just like this secondary one reads for solar.
CHAIRMAN HAYES: Okay. But what I'm telling you then in
the past there was a difference between our ordinance and the state
statute. As of today with our motion, there is no difference. MR. JOSLIN: Okay.
CHAIRMAN HAYES: So it's not an issue you even need to
worry about any longer; is that correct,
Mr. Neale?
MR. NEALE: Well, once the -- once the Board of County
Commissioners has adopted it.
CHAIRMAN HAYES: Once the county commissioners have
adopted it. I'm sorry. Now, on the other hand, what you're saying
about the solar contractor, as long as you're a pool contractor, you
don't need to have a solar license to put a solar system on any longer,
commercial or residential.
MR. JOSLIN: Correct.
Page 45
February 20, 2002
CHAIRMAN HAYES: You're saying that if you're a solar
contractor, that all of the requirements for that exam are mainly for
residential and that you really aren't qualified to do a commercial
solar system for a commercial pool because there are different flow
rates and requirements required there than may be on residential
pool?
MR. JOSLIN: Correct, yes.
CHAIRMAN HAYES: And a pool contractor knows those
things, whereas a solar contractor not only might not know it, but
actually won't be tested on it?
MR. JOSLIN: Exactly. Exactly.
CHAIRMAN HAYES: Mr. Neale, did you understand that?
MR. NEALE: No. Sorry. I was doing something else here.
MR. CRAWFORD: What we're considering is limiting the solar
contractor to residential only. Is that okay?
MR. NEALE: I think, certainly, this board could-- could do
that, but then what would have to be done is a solar -- there could be
a solar contractor that gets a state license who would come down and
be able to do it because, you know, that's specifically permitted in the
statute. That is a specialty contractor under the state statute. So that
would require him to get a state solar contractors license as opposed
to being
MR. JOSLIN: I've never seen the solar testing or a person that
has had a solar license that has passed a solar test, so I really don't
know exactly what's in that test. There may be items in that test that -
- that separate that commercial aspect.
MR. NEALE: Yeah. Because our-- our ordinance requires a
passing grade on a three-hour test for solar heater installation
contractor, and, Mr. Bartoe, do you know if that's a specific test for
solar heater installation that experience this or
MR. BARTOE: If the ordinance is worded this way, I feel it has
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February 20, 2002
to be
MR. NEALE: Must be one, yeah.
CHAIRMAN HAYES: Well, I'm going to say the same thing,
Mr. Joslin. I, as a plumbing contractor, would have the same
concerns, to put in a solar water heater system in a potable water
system. The reason that a plumbing license is -- is required to do
water, potable water, is not just for the sanitary sewer, but to make
sure we prevent and maintain a prevention of backflow
contamination to the potable water system.
A solar contractor is not totally aware of some of the issues that
I'm aware of as a plumbing contractor regarding safety and
contamination prevention of potable water. So the same thing would
be my concern; however, it's been way past us years earlier that the
solar industry created their own license very much like the water
treatment industry has and pulled it away from mine, my plumbing
license the same as you see has happened to you and your pool
license. I would hope and suggest that over the period of years they
have amended and rearranged the license testing requirements for the
solar contractor to take into consideration some of your pressure drop
and concerns and cycles of turnover as well as my potable protection
from a backflow.
I don't know. As long as the state statute is written to approve it,
I'd say that we'd be hard-pressed to change that.
MR. ZACHARY: I think that's one of our options is to just
leave the state as it is and leave ours as it is and just -- and go on.
MR. NEALE: Uh-huh. And that basically -- what that would
say is if we left -- if this board left ours as it is and left the state as it
is -- is people who have the local license would be restricted to doing
only residential solar, period. They would have to go get a state
license to do commercial solar.
MR. CRAWFORD: I think I like that idea.
Page 47
February 20, 2002
MR. NEALE: So, I mean, if that -- if that's the pleasure of the
board, certainly--
CHAIRMAN HAYES: Just leaving it the way it is?
MR. NEALE: Just leave it the way it is and let the state --
CHAIRMAN HAYES: Let the state handle it that way.
MR. NEALE: That would be a state license. The difference is,
of course, is if the state contractor does something wrong, this board
can still have enforcement against them, but it's still a state license,
and so it will have to go through state contract -- contracting issuing
license boards.
CHAIRMAN HAYES: I understand so --
MR. NEALE: But it is -- it would be only a state registered, not
a state certificate so ...
CHAIRMAN HAYES: You want to make a motion,
Mr. Crawford?
MR. CRAWFORD: Based on this, Mr. Chairman, I would
make a motion that we do not adopt Section O, solar contractor, of
the state law into our local ordinance.
MR. BARTOE: Mr. Crawford, if you would, would you add
Section P?
MR. CRAWFORD: Well, I was going to bring that up. I
believe we all agreed that we also will not adopt Section P, pollutant
storage system contractor to our local ordinance.
CHAIRMAN HAYES: I have a motion. I need a second.
MR. JOSLIN: Joslin, second.
CHAIRMAN HAYES: I have a motion and a second. Any
further discussion on the board?
(No response.)
CHAIRMAN HAYES:
(Unanimous response.)
CHAIRMAN HAYES:
Calling for the vote. All in favor.
Opposed.
Page 48
February 20, 2002
(No response.)
CHAIRMAN HAYES: Very well, Mr. Zachary. That -- that
work for you?
MR. ZACHARY: Yeah, thank you. We'll get it all done at once
and get the amendment passed post haste.
CHAIRMAN HAYES: Okay. Next item perhaps is second
entity form fee. Mr. Bartoe, you want to chat about that a second?
MR. BARTOE: Yes. On our new form of which staffhas
started using on the front page, Item No. 9, application fee of blank.
Make check payable to Collier County Board of County
Commissioners. We need this board to make a recommendation as to
what that fee will be. I don't know if Mr. Neale knows what the state
charges or not for second entity.
I discussed it with other staff members, and they feel a fee of
$50 would cover the cost of the extra work involved. And we are not
able to charge this fee until this board recommends a fee and we get it
-- we get an amendment to the fee ordinance approved by the
commissioners and signed by Tallahassee and back to us. Then we
can start collecting the fee. As it is of today, everybody came before
you. There was no fee for doing this paperwork.
MR. NEALE: The state charges $169 for certified contractors
and 100 -- $104 for registered contractors. Don't ask me how they
came up with those numbers.
MR. CRAWFORD: I really think that's a business decision as
opposed to a policy decision of the board. It needs to be whatever
covers your cost to process it. If $50 is what's been recommended --
what was it prior to this?
MR. BARTOE: Nothing. Even before we come up with this
form there was no fee to apply to qualify a second entity.
MR. DUNNE: How many person hours do you think it would
take to go through the paperwork, two or three
Page 49
February 20, 2002
or
MR. BARTOE: It depends on the amount of applications
received and since Mr. Ossorio has come on board concentrating on
unlicensed contractors only, that is why this board is seeing a lot of
people coming in here to qualify second entities, because the man
that he cited may not be able to pass a test, may not have the
qualifications and everything else, so he gets his friend to qualify him
who's already qualifying one company. That's why the board's seeing
an influx of second entities.
MR. CRAWFORD: I think the $50 or $100 or whatever it may
be isn't going to cover the actual cost. The more I think about it, it's
more it's more of a -- it's something that requires the person to want
to do it. In other words, it makes it a little more difficult for
somebody that really wants to do it and it separates out some of the
frivolous applications perhaps.
MR. BARTOE: At this time all of the staff members I've
discussed it with feel that 50 would cover it. I feel if we would need
an increase in the future we could request it.
MR. NEALE: Yeah. What--
MR. BARTOE: I believe we need a --
MR. NEALE: A motion --
(Multiple speakers.)
MR. BARTOE: -- a motion from this board so that we can
proceed with the Board of County Commissioners. CHAIRMAN HAYES: Sorry.
MR. DUNNE: I -- I think $50 is too low. A burden rate for --
you know, a burden rate for just an employee's salary is far and above
what the actual hourly salary is.
MR. CRAWFORD: It probably is a little low, but in the past I
guess we haven't charged anything. We're dealing with some small
contractors, you know, so ...
Page 50
February 20, 2002
MR. DUNNE: Okay.
CHAIRMAN HAYES: Anybody interested in making a
motion? I'll make the motion that we approve a $50 fee for second
entity application.
MR. DUNNE: Dunne, second.
CHAIRMAN HAYES: I have a motion and a second. Any
further discussion?
(No response.)
CHAIRMAN HAYES: All in favor.
(Unanimous response.)
CHAIRMAN HAYES: All opposed.
(No response.)
CHAIRMAN HAYES: Very well. Okay. That one's done.
Now, we have the discussion on the procedure. Mr. Neale handed us
out some procedures on disciplinary hearings. I think you've done
that once before. We didn't discuss it too much at that time.
MR. NEALE: What this actually was is the direction from the
board at the last meeting. We had -- I presented essentially the same
language to the board, except in memorandum form. The board of
directors came back with it set out as a procedure, so I made a couple
of minor changes to it to set it out as a procedure. So it's just what
the board reviewed last time except with some -- with it such that the
board can adopt it as a procedure of this board and put in the records
of the board.
CHAIRMAN HAYES: For the benefit of the new members of
the board, in years past we've done public hearings. We've tried to
mirror the standard legal procedures as much as possible, and we
have stumbled and been guided by our attorney, Mr. Zachary, maybe
the plaintiff's attorney or the defendant's attorney in some cases, to
try to do the best we can to maintain a formal procedure in hearings.
They can get pretty radical. They can get extensive. They can get
Page 51
February 20, 2002
complicated. It can actually get rowdy. Practically like a court of
law. Consequently, we have asked Mr. Neale to put together a
formal procedure that we may adopt and then follow on all public
hearings so that irregardless of what comes up in a hearing we're able
to maintain a format and maintain some structure to the hearings.
And in reviewing it, this is the second time we've seen it with some
changes. This is practically exactly what we asked for, and
apparently it is the generally, legally accepted policy and procedure
in a hearing format as well.
MR. NEALE: Yeah. Okay. What this was, it was based on the
manner in which this board has conducted its hearings basically since
it was created. It's also based on Florida Statutes so -- okay, Florida
Administrative Code. Set out in a way that's -- the board can provide
clear direction to respondents as to what they're going to be facing
when they come here. Makes it easier on staff. Makes it easier on the
county attorney's office and also on the respondents to prepare their
case. And, frankly, as I -- as I noted at the last meeting, what it does
is also provide this board with a stronger legal position should a
decision of the board ever be challenged on one of these issues, as
long as the board can show that they followed these procedures, that
the argument that they were not granted procedural due process
would essentially be eliminated.
CHAIRMAN HAYES: It just covers our butt on that should we
run into a -- an appeal based on lack of structure or -- well, we didn't
know the procedure.
MR. DUNNE: Outstanding.
CHAIRMAN HAYES: Yes. I need a motion from someone to
adopt these procedures for the hearings.
MR. DUNNE: Motion to adopt the procedures for disciplinary
hearings.
MR. JOSLIN: Joslin, second.
Page 52
February 20, 2002
CHAIRMAN HAYES: I have a motion and a second. Any
further discussion?
MR. BARIL: Yeah. I would like to know should there be
between Item 4 and Item 5 a rebuttal case by respondent?
MR. NEALE: That is typically not -- it wouldn't be permitted in
a court of law typically, and so what we tried to do is follow
essentially the same process that you would have in a court of law.
So that's why there's not -- it's not in there, and this is -- as I say, this
is the way, basically, it was handed down to me how the cases are
done here, and we've continued to do it the same way. MR. BARIL: Fair enough.
CHAIRMAN HAYES: And, once again, I said at the beginning
of this meeting we are quasi-judicial which means that should there
be a reasonable rebuttal need on the respondent's behalf we would not
deny them the privilege of doing that. MR. BARIL: Okay.
CHAIRMAN HAYES: Okay. We have not in the past.
MR. BARIL: Fair enough.
MR. NEALE: Yeah. And that's permitted in the language that's
in here where it says the filing general sequence should be followed.
So what it does allow is that if there is a necessity for something else
the board can set that up.
MR. BARIL: This would not preclude the respondent from
having an opportunity to voice something after the rebuttal case?
MR. NEALE: Yeah. That's more -- as Mr. Hayes said, that's
more open kind of forum than the straight court of law. MR. BARIL: Okay.
CHAIRMAN HAYES: This is a general guideline, if you will,
at the very least, something that can be documented. MR. BARIL: Okay.
CHAIRMAN HAYES: Okay. Any further discussion?
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February 20, 2002
(No response.)
CHAIRMAN HAYES:
(Unanimous response.)
CHAIRMAN HAYES:
(No response.)
All in favor.
Opposed.
Page 54
CHAIRMAN HAYES: Super. One more item of business.
We'll have this all worked out one day, Mr. Neale, where we know
what we're doing.
MR. NEALE: It keeps going forward.
CHAIRMAN HAYES: Okay.
MR. NEALE: I do have one request for the board. Our meeting
is scheduled for March 20th next month, and I will not be around on
March 20th. So if we could reschedule it to either the week before or
the week after or, Mr. Bartoe, you'd indicated that there may be no
necessity for a meeting next month?
MR. BARTOE: The only necessity might be someone that's in a
big hurry to qualify second entity, but if the board's not going to
meet, it'll have to wait. I, myself, sent out notice to a contractor
yesterday to schedule a hearing for him to appear, I believe, it's -- the
third Wednesday is April 20th for a hearing, which could possibly get
postponed. Could possibly be resolved; however, I have scheduled a
hearing for a contractor due to a complaint I received April 20th.
MR. NEALE: So that's not scheduled for next month either?
MR. BARTOE: No. That's not for next month.
That was my mistake. I'm glad I made it if you cannot be here.
MR. NEALE: I'm glad you made it, too, frankly.
CHAIRMAN HAYES: Okay. Then if that's the case, then we
might not have a meeting in March, and it would be in April, and that
would be on what day? I'm afraid that's the 17th.
MR. BARTOE: I believe it's the 20th, third Wednesday.
CHAIRMAN HAYES: The 20th of April, according to the
February 20, 2002
MR. BARTOE:
out to the contractor.
the 20th.
calendar --
MR. BARTOE: Is it the 17th? Okay. Third Wednesday.
CHAIRMAN HAYES: Third Wednesday-- if this is a 2002
calendar, the 20th of April is on a Saturday. MR. BARTOE: Okay.
CHAIRMAN HAYES: So the 17th--
MR. ZACHARY: I've got a calendar in front of me. Yeah, third
Wednesday is the 17th.
CHAIRMAN HAYES: Okay. Well--
My mistake, and I better check my notice I sent
I probably put the 17th and just thought I put
then.
CHAIRMAN HAYES: Okay. I have -- I have plans to be out
of town as well, so your vice chair may have to chair that meeting.
MR. NEALE' So, basically, we're saying there will be no
March meeting?
CHAIRMAN HAYES: Okay. Next meeting will be April 17th
Okay. We have one more item of discussion.
Kathy Pope, I apologize for the length of her day, and you've had to
sit there, and you've been very patient. You requested to address the
board. Either one.
MS. POPE: All morning you've been talking about experience
and licensing, and I think you-all do a great job, and I thought you
might want to be aware of the new state certified license exam
application that just came out about two weeks ago, and that's for 17
different categories; plumbing, swimming pool, general contractor,
roofing and 13 other ones as well.
For about 20 years the state used a form something like this
(indicating) where -- you guys might remember-- you put down how
many years of experience you had. It had to be verified, certified by
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February 20, 2002
someone that knew that you had performed that work either, another
contractor, an architect, or an engineer. That had to be sworn in front
of a notary two times, and then you also had to list the jobs that you
did your work on and what contractors you worked for, and that page
had to be sworn and notarized two more times.
The new application is a person just simply checks a box. Most
people fall into the category that says (as read): "Four years
experience as a workman or foreman of-- at least one year must have
been as a foreman," and you sign it at the bottom. You don't list jobs.
Nobody verifies that. It's pretty wide open. So, I mean, eventually
it's going to fall back here and on staff as to when these people get
these licenses that just sign this and have -- even though they are
attesting to something, they may not have any experience.
CHAIRMAN HAYES: What form is that?
MS. POPE: This -- this is the state exam application for 17
categories; plumbing, roofing, swimming--
MR. JOSLIN: For someone who would want to take a test to
become one of these categories.
MS. POPE: Right. All 17 state categories now use this form.
MR. NEALE: One of which being the solar contractor.
MS. POPE: That's correct. They're on here: Solar, air
conditioning, building, roofing, plumbing, general contractors,
mechanical, commercial pool, residential pool, servicing pool,
residential contractors, sheet metal, underground utilities, solar,
drywall, gas line, and pollutant storage. Check a box, sign it, you go
take the test.
MR. BARTOE: That's all the licenses that were A through P in
the state ordinance?
MR. NEALE: Yup.
CHAIRMAN HAYES: So, basically, you're saying it's a lot
easier to get a state license than it used to be?
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February 20, 2002
MS. POPE: Well, the test isn't any easier, but it's a lot easier to
get up there because some people were very intimidated -- and
especially if they were honest and truthful people -- about filling out
this old application. And even if they weren't so honest and truthful,
the person that certified them, their license could be in jeopardy if
they signed it that they had this experience and lied. Now, they're not
even -- you know, just checking a box.
MR. NEALE: I would suggest that the person is still liable to
the state for penalties for -- if they misrepresent that. MS. POPE: Oh, it says that.
MR. NEALE' However, it's only upon investigation, probably,
that the state would determine that.
MS. POPE: Now it's only an attestation statement, not
notarized, not an affidavit. And you could have these copies.
MR. NEALE: Could I see a copy?
MS. POPE: Sure.
MR. BARTOE: I have advised Ms. Pope that, you know, our
ordinance, our requirements have not changed, and I can see her
concern with the state forms.
MR. JOSLIN: Talking your forms or we talking just a
competency code type license?
MR. BARTOE: I'm sorry?
MR. JOSLIN: If you go take the state test, a person doesn't have
to go through Collier County to go take a state test, do they? MR. BARTOE: No.
MR. JOSLIN: So that's the form she's talking about; fight?
CHAIRMAN HAYES: For the state.
MR. JOSLIN: For the state.
MS. POPE: Does Collier still have residential building and
general contractor?
CHAIRMAN HAYES: Correct.
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February 20, 2002
MS. POPE: You do not?
MR. BARTOE: No, we do.
MS. POPE: You still do?
MR. BARTOE: Yes.
MS. POPE: I thought the state took over the Division 1.
MR. BARTOE: No, they haven't.
MS. POPE: Okay. So then a person could go --
MR. BARTOE: If they have, they have not notified Collier
County yet.
(Multiple speakers.)
CHAIRMAN HAYES: One at a time.
MR. NEALE: The state has been talking about taking over all
the licenses for a long time. They have -- they have not yet done so.
MS. POPE: Right.
MR. NEALE: It's a continuing item of discussion that the
legislature keeps beating back, frankly.
CHAIRMAN HAYES: Well, I'm-- we -- we all do dearly hope
that as the state continues to take over more and more and more
jurisdictional responsibility that they maintain their-- some integrity
of professionalism involved with it. Showing up with an application
like that definitely seems to harm that integrity somewhat. It's a
whole lot easier to tell a story like that and to say, "Well, I didn't
understand that question," than it is to lie on an affidavit. MS. POPE: Exactly.
CHAIRMAN HAYES: Interesting. Anybody have any
questions of Ms. Pope?
MR. CRAWFORD: Thank you.
CHAIRMAN HAYES: We appreciate you taking your time to
bring this to our attention. I just hope that one day or another we
could help influence an amendment of such a thing, but so many
times our hands are tied when it comes to the state.
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February 20, 2002
MR. NEALE: And one of the parts of this is that it actually is
not statutory these type of matters. This is adopted as a -- as a
procedure under the administrative code by the state construction
industry licensing board staff; that this is not even something that
goes through the legislature or anything else. It's just a staff adoption.
CHAIRMAN HAYES: Right.
MR. NEALE: And they've had staff cutbacks up there, and I'm
sure this was in part done to make it easier on them.
CHAIRMAN HAYES: No question. Thank you,
Ms. Pope. Mr. Bartoe.
MR. BARTOE: I have a question in regards to our $50 fee that
the board recommended adopting.
Mr. Zachary, do we get that ready to go before the Board of County
Commissioners for the fee ordinance and amendment, or what's the
process?
MR. ZACHARY: I'll find out.
CHAIRMAN HAYES: Okay. Obviously, we have no public
hearings. Mr. Bartoe, are there any reports? MR. BARTOE: None by staff.
CHAIRMAN HAYES: Any other reports from any other
direction? We discussed earlier our next meeting, April the 17th.
Anybody have anything else they want to bring up or discuss or
mention?
MR. JOSLIN: Just one thing I'll just mention. I'm not sure it
really applies or how soon it will apply, but the county just adopted
the new swimming pool code, which is very involved for not only
commercial but residential pools. So, I mean, I'm sure staff is going
to probably see some actions coming out of this probably before long
because of the construction. We've had several pool contractors in
here before us before with so-called workmanship. So might be
aware of it. We may see more.
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February 20, 2002
CHAIRMAN HAYES: Things are going to change with that
new code. I'm under the impression that the county or the whole
state -- every county in the state must adopt it now, March 1st. MR. NEALE: Yup.
CHAIRMAN HAYES: Yup. And now that was put off again
from January 1 st once already.
MR. NEALE: Whether it'll be put off again is still up to
question. They've been pushing this new building code back for Lord
knows how long. It was supposed to be originally adopted last year
sometime.
MR. DUNNE: We've only got six days left.
MR. NEALE: And in the past they pushed it forward. It should
be adopted this time, but, you know, you folks who operate under it
every day know better than I do.
CHAIRMAN HAYES: Right. Okay. I need a motion for
adjournment.
MR. JOSLIN: I move we adjourn.
CHAIRMAN HAYES: We're adjourned.
There being no further business for the good of the County, the
meeting was adjourned by order of the Chair at 10:47 a.m.
CONTRACTORS' LICENSING BOARD
GARY HAYES, CHAIRMAN
TRANSCRIPT PREPARED ON BEHALF OF DONOVAN COURT
REPORTING, INC., BY CAROLYN J. FORD
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