09/28/1995 Minutes - Laserfiche WebLink

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. ` they are not. Mr. Rindfleisch stated that a buyer seldom accepted a house if there was a problem which would put his family iu jeopardy. Mr. Brink stated that, because the inspectors have a liability, they make sure that buyers laiow about defects or code violations. Mr. Brink stated that home inspectors are more and more qualified and real estate agents recommend three or four inspectors, and they make sure that a person is qualified before they recommend him. Mr. Engoglia stated that the law forcing people to disclose latent defects has revolutionized the whole real estate industry, and tliere are many law suits, but the city does not know how many law suits have been filed. The real estate companies have been policing tlus, because they do not want to get involved in the suits. As an attomey, Ms. Hess disputed that the city could not be held liable if they put out their own standards and set forth a number of inspectors who do inspections in the community, and, if something does go wrong, a home owner may come back to the city. Mr. Gareau stated that he could not under the current status since the city has government immunity. The members discussed the issues among themselves. Mr. Kazak stated that, if any licensing is done, it should probably be done at a State level. J. Kazak moved to table the issue of registering private home inspectors and he would like a letter issued to the State to ask for their advise on this situation or ask the State Legislation to adopt legislation to cover this. The motion was seconded by D. Spoerke, aud unauimously approved. Law Director Gareau agreed to draft a motion to the State requesting this. Mr. Rindfleisch suggested that standards should be adopted, not just licensing. He would work with the city on any problems that the city might have and would give them copies of the standards. There may not be a quorum available on the next meeting on October 26th, but a ineeting will be set up. A copy of the motion will be sent to Ms. Hess after it is drafted by Mr. Gareau and reviewed by the board aud she will distribute it all interested parties. Mr. Kazak noted that council had refused to modify the notification procedures for notifications required for appeal to the Property Maintenance code as requested by the board. Mr. Gareau agreed that 500 feet was totally impractical, because it could fall in the in the middle of the lot. It had been suggested that it could be the same notification that is sent for the board of zoning appeals. He suggested that the board send the message to council again with one or two more examples of how many residents must be notified. Mr. Kazak agreed to go to council to address the issue. The clerk stated that if t}us notification is required, she is going to ask that the board send a letter to the Service Director and the Engineering Department asking them to determine the pennauent parcel numbers that fall witlun the 500 feet radius. Mr. Gareau stated these issues did not impact the entire neighborhood, only the immediate neighbors. VII. ADJOURNMENT: Building Commissioner Conway advised that there might be an appeal from Hill's Department Store regarcliug their arborvitae behind tltem, and since there may not be a quorum at the next meeting, he asked if they could move a meeting up. It was tentatively decided to have a meeting on October 12th. R Burk, Chairman B. Oring, Clerk of 4