07/13/1995 Minutes - Laserfiche WebLink

Home Browse Search

businesses on the basis that: such licensiug would cost the citizens more money; would 'uilubit the free transfer and sale of real estate; would not accomplish the goals that it was supposed to. He offered to make a free inspection on the property that was not properly inspected, and noted that if the inspector was a member of ASHI a complaint could be filed. He stressed that home inspectors are not code officials aud he was told that a private inspector was going to be required to report code violations to the city and questioned this requirement when this report was supposed to be confidential. He believed that there should be au ongoing safety and sanitary inspection for all homes in the city, without targeting the homes that are to be sold. Building Commissioner Conway clarified that Council is no longer interested in priar to sale inspectious, at tlus time they are only talking about licensing inspectors. W. Rindfleisch responded that his letter addresses this, and asked that the board produce a written statement as to what they are proposing. He offered to discuss these issues with Mr. Conway. Mr. Conway responded that this meeting had been plauned as a work session to formulate a written position, but as this point the inembers are reviewing their information. Mr. Rindfleisch concluded by asking that the board review lus letter, and advised that ASHI's positiou is that they are not into municipal licensing or registration because there are 55 communities in Cuyahoga Couuty. They are hired as professional cousultants and the city is trying to regulate professional opuuons. Mr. Burk advised that the board's goal was to have all the inspectors working in North Olmsted to be as qualified as he is. It was agreed that Mr. Rindfleisch's information would be distributed to all the members of Council. Mr. Stull, president and owner of Brady and Hendersou Inspections, was administered the oath, and reminded the members that some licensed remodelers and contractors are incompetent, and licensing is not the answer. Mr. Pravato was sworn in at tlus time, and as a veteran, objected to politicians stealing peoples freedoms, since the constitution guarantees life, liberty, and the pursuit ofhappiness, and he believed that what they are doing in this business is the pursuit of happiness because they are doing it within the bounds of law. After he listed the various organizations that he believed in, Mr. Burk asked that he keep his remarks relative to what is being discussed tlus evening, and he responded that tlus policy was taking away some people's freedom. He stated that politicians only understood money and votes, and any North Olmsted politicians supporting this idea would be defeated at the uext electiou. Mr. James Nemastil was administered the oath and advised that the home mspection business is about 25 years old, uot a relatively new business. He asked the primary objective and what beuefit is perceived in licensing. He believed that the market place takes care of incompetence, and if an inspector is not competent, he will not last long. Mr. Crow was sworn in at tlus time, and believed that the city is doing what ASHI has already accomplished with theu- testing, continuiug educatiou, and the members are true professionals. He asked why the city did not use the already established standard and insist upou ASHI membership. This would not enhance the city coffers, but noted that buyers and sellers did not need any more expense. He cited a case where a bauk would not accept a home inspection because the inspector was not an ASHI member and the couple had to pay h'vn to do a second inspection. Mr. Kazak responded that the city could not force someone to join an orgauizatiou. Mr. Eugoglia stated that tlus would be uo different than requiring a license. Mr. Crow believed that only ASHI members will remain in the business for very 1ong. Mr. Rindfleisch agreed that the city could not require memberslup, and asked that the members study the official position of ASHI wluch states that there is no need for licensiug, but noted that the individual members can speak for themselves. In response to Gouncilman McKay's questiou, Mr. Engoglia advised that the members are discussing tlus, no decisiou has been made. Mr. McKay stated that the Council realizes this, and once the board has established a criteria, Council will make their decision. He did not believe that the city having a list of qualified home inspectors available, would be taking away people's freedoms. Mr. Piar noted that the Better Business Bureau did have such a service and will send out lists. Ms. Stockage, a resident and a Realtor, was swarn in. She believed that it would be more helpful to educate the consumer, aud the real estate community recommends housiug inspectious iu their purchase agreements and the State Disclosure form has been helpful to the consumer. There are other ways to accomplish these goals and noted that 3