Orange County NC Website
996 <br />This is a preliminary report on implementation of the state-- <br />mandated fire inspection program and options for financing the program. <br />State Building Code Council acted in late 1991 to mandate a schedule c <br />inspections by local governments of "buildings, structures and premises that <br />pose dangers of fire, explosion, or related hazards." This inspection <br />schedule must be approved by the Board of Commissioners and submitted to the <br />North Carolina Department of Insurance by January 1, 1993. <br />Commissioner Halkiotis asked who will inspect the buildings in the <br />Town of Hillsborough and was told that that decision needs to be made. <br />Rod Visser outlined the steps the County needs to take before <br />adopting a plan. He also expanded on the scope of the program. This <br />information is included in the agenda abstract. An ordinance on <br />implementation of the fire inspection program will need to be developed. Also <br />an appropriate fee schedule will need to be approved. This is .scheduled for <br />the November quarterly public hearing. <br />Commissioner Gordon voiced her concern with adding this to the <br />quarterly public hearing since there are several other items on that agenda. <br />She asked and the ad-.inistration agreed that this item will be placed on a <br />regular meeting agenda. <br />Commissioner Halkiotis expressed a concern with contracting with <br />the Town of Hillsborough to provide these inspections. He feels the County <br />should not get involved with doing the inspections for Hillsborough. Rod <br />Visser explained that the Town of Hillsborough is not set up to do these <br />inspections. The fees charged for these inspections would cover the costs <br />involved in doing these inspections. <br />In answer to a question from Commissioner Insko, Nick Waters <br />explained that reinspections for someone out of compliance takes place after <br />30 hours or in 30 days. <br />John Link asked if the Board would support the County pursuing <br />this as a cost recovery program. Commissioner Insko expressed a concern <br />about the cost of day care and how this fee would add to that cost. <br />Commissioner Gordon suggested that this fee be returned to these facilities <br />in the form of a grant. John rink indicated they would bring back to the <br />Board several options including one for fees for non-profit organizations. <br />Also, he would like support for contracting out this program instead of doing <br />it inhouse. The Board feels that all option.z should be explored. <br />B. EMERGENCY COMMUNICATIONS COVERAGE IMPROVEMENTS <br />Rod Visser presented a status report on the planned improvements <br />to the County's system of emergency radio communications transmitters. He <br />made reference to a report given in May on options available to eliminate <br />"dead spots". The recommended solution was tc pursue construction of three <br />"voting receiver' sites at the Cedar Grove Fire Station #2, White Cross Fire <br />Station and the Chapel Hill Fire Station at Glen Lennox. The report in the <br />agenda abstract outlined the steps and estimated timetable for the first <br />phase of the project implementation which will be at Cedar Grove. Thr <br />recommendation is that a self support tower be erected. The bids will ): <br />received the end of November and construction will take place in January with <br />the receiver working in February. Rod Visser explained that they have also