02-14-96 Council Workshop Minutes

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MINUTES CITY COUNCIL FEBRUARY 14, 1996 accessibility provisions are kicking in because the occupancy of the building is being changed. Morelan asked if the City can continue to operate in the building as it has been for a period of time. The Building Official replied that the City could, however, there are still some fire code issues that must be addressed. The accessibility issue would come into play when a building permit is applied for. Otherwise, the handicapped accessibility issues are not retro-active, but fire code issues are. Fahey asked if a building permit is pulled to address the life safety issues, would the ADA requirements kick in. The Building Official replied that the City could make the life safety improvements as well as put in a unisex restroom on the lower level without ADA requirements kicking in for the upper floor. While this was stretching the interpretation of the Code somewhat, as long as the upstairs was used for storage only and the lower level was used for an assembly-type occupancy, this would work. LaValle asked if the same interpretation would apply if the building were owned by a private individual. The Building Official replied that it would. Fahey pointed out that the use of the building has not changed. The Building Official stated that in the upper level, the separation between the office area and storage space is not proper and the doors are not proper from a fire code standpoint. Scalze asked if the Historical Society use could continue in the upper level. Scalze pointed out that in addition to storage, the Historical Society has an office and assembly area in the upper level. Scalze noted that the Fire Department previously used a portion of the upper level for office and assembly area. The Building Official replied that the use could 4