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Item No: 3A <br />Meeting Date: April 2, 2007 <br />Type of Business: Worksession <br />Administrator Review: ____ <br />City of Mounds View Staff Report <br /> <br />To: Honorable Mayor and City Council <br />From: James Ericson, Community Development Director <br />Item Title/Subject: Code Development Process and Residential Fire <br />Sprinklers – Presentation by Kathi Osmonson <br /> <br />Introduction: <br /> <br />Kathi Osmonson, the Mounds View’s Building Official and Fire Marshal, has prepared a <br />powerpoint presentation that outlines the process by which building and related codes are <br />developed and the purposes behind their adoption. <br /> <br />Discussion: <br /> <br />One issue that is being considered for adoption relates to a requirement for all new homes, <br />twin homes and townhomes to be equipped with automatic fire sprinklers. In her <br />presentation, Ms. Osmonson addresses the nationwide problem of residential fires and the <br />property damage and loss of life associated with these preventable tragedies. Ms. <br />Osmonson provides national and state fire statistics and responds to common myths about <br />residential sprinkler systems. <br /> <br />Attached to this cover sheet is an article that appeared in a recent edition of the League of <br />Minnesota Cities weekly bulletin which addresses the issue of proposed legislation dealing <br />with construction codes. The concern, as expressed by the LMC and the Association of <br />Minnesota Building Officials, is that the legislation would confer too much power to trades <br />groups and industry representatives. Their amendments could result in degradation of <br />essential life, health and safety requirements—the very tenets of governing Codes—and <br />could threaten cities ability to conduct independent code inspection activities. <br /> <br />Recommendation: <br /> <br />The information in the attached power point presentation is meant to inform and educate the <br />City Council and community in general about the code development process and one topic in <br />specific which is generating much debate—the requirement to provide residential sprinkler <br />systems in all new homes, twin homes and townhomes. If you have any questions prior to <br />the meeting, please feel free to contact Ms. Osmonson directly at 763-717-4024. <br /> <br />Respectfully submitted, <br /> <br /> <br /> <br />________________________ ___________________________ <br />James Ericson Kathi Osmonson <br />Community Development Director Building Official / Fire Marshal <br />