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c ?A <br />require a remedy of serious hazards would the city be held liable. Mr. Burk clarified for Mr. Aaron that <br />he was asking the Law Director if the city should require home inspections of all homes being sold, this <br />has not been decided. In reference to the minutes of Ju1y 13th on the top of page 4, W. Kazak read a <br />question by Ms. Stockage, a real estate agent, who thought that the city might have a problem <br />recommending an inspector to a consumer, and questioned what the city's liability would be, considering <br />that an inspector rendered an opinion which was different from a contractor who is obligated to do a job <br />that meets code. Mr. Engoglia stated that the city does not recommend a specific contractor, they merely <br />provide a list of contractors who are registered, and this would be handled the same way. He also advised <br />that sometimes a bank will require a private home inspection. Mr. Aaron stated that he has done some <br />inspections for banks, but it is not common. Mr. Burk would like to know if it would be possible for the <br />city of North Olmsted to accept inspectors by reviewing and accepting the association that they are with, <br />if the association's requirements are reviewed and found to be satisfactory to the city. He advised that <br />would not be just ASHI, but any such orgauization and clarified that the city could not require any <br />inspector to join any orgauization. The members agreed that the letter took care of many of the questions <br />raised in the minutes of July 13th. Mr. Engoglia questioned what was meant by serious hazard in item <br />number 6, and noted that any serious hazard should be taken care of. Mr. Aaron stated that an inspector's <br />obligation is to the person employing him but if he found something that was an immediate hazard, like a <br />gas leak, he would ask his client if he could tell the home owners, and they always agree. In answer to <br />Mr. Burk's question, he stated that if a rotting floor board were to be a real danger to someone walking <br />through the house, he would feel an obligation to inform the owner. Mr. Burk stated that the board's <br />concern is the health, life and safety of the residence of North Olmsted and this would be the opportunity <br />to have the city notified of something like this. Mr. Engoglia believed that an inspector should report any <br />hazard to the Building Department, whether the house sale went through or not. He clarified for Mr. <br />Aaron, that the city would only want a report on serious hazards, not the complete report. Mr. Kazak <br />agreed that the Building Commissioner only wanted a report on §erious problems. Mr. Aaron is <br />concerned that if the home ovvuer knows that having an inspection might bring a city official in, they <br />might refuse to allow the inspection. Mr. Burk pointed out that if the inspection were required on all <br />home sales, then there would be no choice. Mr. Aaron wondered if the city had the necessary city <br />inspectors to follow up on the any reported hazardous conditions. Mr. Kazak did not believe that there <br />would be that many. Mr. Aaron asked where they would draw the.line, and mentioned several electrical <br />violations that might be considered hazardous. Mr. Kazak believed that there is a fine line there, since <br />some of the homes were built before some of the electrical codes were instituted. Mr. Burk stated that <br />there would only be a nominal fee for licensing and a nominal fee for permits, this is not to generate <br />revenue for the city. Mr. Aaron responded that there would be some cost and there would also be a time <br />factor. It was clarified that they could do the registration by mail, but they would have to get the permit <br />from city hall and he believed that time spent would be a real hardship since inspectors work in a wide <br />area. Mr. Burk thought that there might be some way to have the report mailed to the realtor who could <br />then send it to the city and the fee could be billed to the inspector. The board would like to make it as <br />easy as possible. Mr. Engoglia stated that in Florida contractors are registered by the State and can work <br />any where in the State. The members agreed to refer both letters and the minutes to the Law <br />Department, and if possible would like the Law Director to meet with board after he,has reviewed them. <br />VII. ADJOURNMENT: <br />The meeting was adjourned at 8:30 p.m. <br />R Burk, Chairman <br />t3. <br />B. Oring, C-ferk of Commissions <br />2