Epermits Working Group Meeting

Minutes ePermits Working Group Meeting Thursday, August 14, 2014 2:30PM-4:00pm Government Center West ePermits Conference Room 1303A, 1st Floor 1 N. University Drive, Plantation, FL 33324

1. Chairperson Jeff Halsey opened the meeting at 2:35 p.m. and introduced guests from the City of Tamarac.

2. Pat Richardson, Assistant Building Official and Luanne Christiano, ePermits IT Project Manager from the City of Tamarac provided an overview of the City’s successful implementation of ePermits, which went live in March 2014: a. Project timeline b. IT requirements c. Website with fillable forms for all permit applications, ePermits Applicant’s Guide, and System Requirements online d. Application process e. Plan review process f. Obstacles and lessons learned: f.i. Staff training (Permit and Inspection staff) critical f.ii. Customer training and assistance critical f.ii.1. Applicant Guide and System Requirements online f.ii.2. Frequent user training sessions (the last one was held on July 7, 2014) f.ii.3. Hands on training assistance f.iii. Recommend incremental implementation instead of all at once

3. Jeff discussed the draft letter to BORA containing recommendations. Asked that he receive all comments and concerns by Friday, August 15, 2014.

4. Jeff introduced the topic of electronic signatures with the goal that they be completely electronic to remove any barriers. He reminded the group that Professional Engineers had recently changed the rule, and that Professional Geologists should be okay as is, and that the Architects and Interior Designers had also recently changed the rule. Jeff turned it over to Chris to discuss the updated rule and the February 26, 2014 letter from the Chair, State of Florida Board of Architecture and Interior Design.

Chris said that guidelines are needed on how to satisfy the requirements of item (3) of the rule. He said that there is an active effort by a State Standpoint Committee regarding this matter and that the Design Professional Subcommittee will work toward obtaining this clarification within the next couple of months.

There was also discussion regarding electronic signing and sealing rules for the Board of Professional Surveyors and Mappers and the Board of Landscape Architecture. Jeff asked if he could find representatives to participate in the Design Professionals Subcommittee. Though Chris indicated that he preferred professionals from private industry, County would be okay to get started. Vicky Morrow provided handouts to the group on Florida Surveying and Mapping Society (FSMS) draft rules 5J-17 with their recommended changes which went to the workshop on August 13, 2014. She also suggested that Sam Hall to represent the Surveyors / Mappers on the Design Professionals Subcommittee.

5. Jeff suggested that the Working Group’s name be changed to “Florida ePermits Working Group”. It was recommended that we ensure that it is not already being used. It was also mentioned that it be expanded to include other major counties. Though not just now, may expand in the future. Group was okay with the name change.

6. Next meeting in October to be potentially held in Tamarac and invite all cities and building officials.

7. Action Items: a. Jeff will submit the letter from the Florida ePermits Working Group to BORA recommending Chapter 1 revisions. b. Jeff will recommend representatives from the Surveyors/Mappers and Landscape Architects for the Design Professionals Subcommittee. c. The Design Professionals subcommittee will obtain the clarification needed to electronically sign and seal plans and documents in accordance with the 61G1-16.005 rule change of November 11, 2013. d. Connie verify that “Florida ePermits Working Group” is not being used. (Note, this was done on XX/XX/XX via Google, Bing, and Fictitious Names – this name is available. e. Connie will schedule the next meeting in October, post the meeting on the website and send out meeting invitations.

Connie Boden, Broward County/PPD (954) 519-1405 [email protected]

Jeffery Halsey, Broward County/PPD (954) 519-1468 [email protected]

Attendees

Patrick Richardson, Assistant Building Official, City of Tamarac Luanne Christiano, IT Systems Specialist, City of Tamarac Jeff Halsey, Broward County EPGMD/PPD Chris Zimmerman, American Institute of Architects (AIA) Jim Dipietro, Board of Rules and Appeals (BORA) John Siegle, Construction Association of South Florida (CASF) Jack Bennings, Greater Fort Lauderdale Alliance Vicki Morrow, Broward County GIS Marty Gicala, Broward County Enterprise Technology Services (ETS) Gabriella Drice, Broward County GIS Leigh Ammon, Broward County GIS Connie Boden, Broward County PPD