1- CDBG funding for code administration is already authorized under existing law, and many code departments have received funding for code programs.
2- HUD classifies cities and counties as either "Entitlement Communities" that get a direct allocation of CDBG funding every year, or as "Non-Entitlement Communities," which are smaller in size, who must apply for CDBG funding from their State (or sometimes from their county).
3- To apply for CDBG grant funds, code departments in Entitlement Communities will need to work within their city or county, to include their request in the overall city/county CDBG grant proposal. Code Departments cannot apply directly to HUD for CDBG funding, even under the new amendments to the program.
4- For Non-Entitlement Communities, code departments should likewise work within their own city or county to discuss applying to the state for CDBG funding for code programs.
5- The most important and most critical step to take NOW is to determine who in your city/county administration is responsible for coordinating CDBG programs and funds, and find out what the timeline is for development of the next funding proposal.
6- Once you determine the schedule, it will be useful to schedule a short meeting with your city/county CDBG coordinator, and determine what the expected total funding proposal for the city/county will be, and what they might believe to be a reasonable request from the code administration department.
7- Once you have these key facts at hand, you will be ready to participate in the upcoming ICC/HUD webinar, and utilize the guidance document that we will be publishing.

1- As is obvious from the facts above, unless you convince your city/county coordinator to include funds for code administration in the city/county CDBG proposal, you won't be able to access CDBG funds. So, you must explain why code administration benefits the city/county. Here are a few ideas, for you to consider, and build upon:

a. The best strategy for preventing or reducing community blight and deterioration is a strong code program.
b. Strong code administration is attractive to prospective businesses and to those considering relocation to your community. The Economic Development office may be your ally in seeking to be included in the CDBG proposal.
c. Federal Government requirements for new office space, as well as those of most leading companies, demand energy efficiency, water efficiency, and other green attributes in new buildings, and in leased space. Strong administration of the building codes, including the IECC and IgCC, if applicable, assures them of green buildings.
d. While there are requirements that CDBG funds be used to eliminate blight and help in improving depressed and low-income communities, CDBG funds that pay for the costs of inspecting and enforcing codes in these areas can free up code department funding to enforce green codes, and help with economic development efforts, such as reduced permitting and inspection incentives for new and relocating business entities. Your economic development department can be an ally in this effort.

Smith Retiring from Ashtabula County, Ohio, to Learn Something New

Over the course of his 30-year building safety career in northeast Ohio, David Smith became the first person in the world to earn 45 professional certifications and 17 combined certifications from the Code Council.

Ashtabula County, Ohio, Chief Building Official David Smith, who has worked for the county since 1999, decided to retire at the end of 2012 because of changes in the Public Employee Retirement System (PERS). Smith said he's not ready to quit working, but because of the cost of living adjustment (COLA) changes in PERS that will affect workers who retire starting next year, he decided to lock in the guaranteed 3 percent COLA by retiring in 2012.

"This change (to PERS) is a major one," Smith said. "They are trying to preserve the pension, that's their goal, and nobody can blame them for that. I'm not retiring to quit working; I'm retiring because of the change in the law," he added.

Smith said he's been toying with the idea for several months and recently told the board of his decision. But the county will still have his services until a replacement is hired and acclimated. In a resolution approved Thursday, the board approved re-hiring Smith at an hourly rate during the interim.

The board literally will not be able to find someone with Smith's unique set of credentials. For starters, he is the only person in the world to achieve the distinction of earning every one of the 62 International Code Council certifications. Since achieving the accomplishment a year ago, two additional certifications have been added. The long list of certifications range from basic building inspector to commercial energy, fire inspector, master of special inspection and multiple residential and structural inspection certifications. Smith has taken and passed 45 exams in his quest for this distinction.

His educational background is likewise diverse, especially for someone in the building trades. He received his bachelor of arts in religious studies and his master of arts in applied linguistics. He has an associate's in petroleum technology and a certificate to teach English as a second language. He studied the Arabic language for three years and was a construction foreman in Jordan and a language instructor in Saudi Arabia.

A California native who still loves the surf, Smith came to northeast Ohio as a result of his wife, Mary Lou, who has family in the Cleveland area. Smith said he literally walked into his first job when they moved to northeast Ohio — he went to the Euclid City Hall and asked the mayor's secretary if there was a board where jobs were posted. She introduced him to the mayor, who asked Smith if he would be interested in being the building and zoning inspector. Smith filled that position for eight years. From there, he went to Kent, where he was chief building inspector until coming to Ashtabula County 14 years ago. "It was a very broad position," he said. "This has been a very good experience here; it's given me broad experience."

Smith is the chief building official for all of Ashtabula County — 27 townships, three cities and seven villages. He also works with fire departments and other agencies that deal with public safety. "You work with a lot of different people," Smith said. "It's a team effort. Ultimately, the goal is to provide safety. What we do is preventive work."

Smith occasionally finds himself at odds with people who don't share his passion for doing things the right way. "I'm not popular with that person who, perhaps, is working without a permit," Smith said. "I like to think I take the time to help someone understand the code's requirements. You can always challenge a building official's decision, but you have to understand the code in order to do that."

With Smith's retirement, the county also will lose its certified flood plain manager. Smith has served as administrator of the Federal Emergency Management Agency's Flood Plain Management Program for the county's 27 townships and construction within designated flood plains.

As for his plans once the replacement is hired, Smith said they include more working and learning. "If you look at my life, I'm always learning something," he said.

Source: The Star Beacon | December 29, 2012

Holmes Beach Building Permit Applications Flood City Hall, Break Record

Behind stacks of plans and applications, Holmes Beach building clerk Susan Lonzo works to control the influx of permits and other requests in the city's building department on the last day to submit plans under the expected retroactive building moratorium..