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Adoption of the 2014 National Electrical Code Copyright 2014 City of Dubuque Action Items # 5. ITEM TITLE: Adoption of the 2014 National Electrical Code SUMMARY: City Manager recommending adoption of the 2014 edition of the National Electrical Code. ORDINANCE Amending City of Dubuque Code of Ordinances Title 14 Building and Development, Chapter 1 Building Codes, Article D Electrical Code by adopting The National Electrical Code, 2014 Version With Amendments thereto; and adopting a new Section 14-1 d-3 Establishing the Electrical Code Board and Providing for the Powers, Operation, Membership, and Meetings SUGGESTED DISPOSITION: Suggested Disposition: Receive and File; Motion B; Motion A ATTACHMENTS: Description Type ❑ Adoption of 2014 National Electrical Code-MVM Memo City Manager Memo ❑ NEC 2014 Adoption Memo to MVM Staff Memo ❑ 2014 National Electrical Code Ordinance Ordinance THE CITY OF Dubuque UBE I erica .i Masterpiece on the Mississippi 2007-2012-2013 TO: The Honorable Mayor and City Council Members FROM: Michael C. Van Milligen, City Manager SUBJECT: Amending City Electrical Ordinance and Adoption of the 2014 National Electrical Code DATE: December 28, 2014 Building Services Manager Rich Russell recommends City Council adoption of the 2014 edition of the National Electrical Code. The adoption the 2014 edition of the National Electrical Code will keep the City of Dubuque's electrical ordinance consistent with the State of Iowa's requirements and those of other jurisdictions. It will provide a consistent set of guidelines to use when licensed electrical persons from other parts of the state come to Dubuque to work. I concur with the recommendation and respectfully request Mayor and City Council approval. Micliael C. Van Milligen MCVM:jh Attachment cc: Barry Lindahl, City Attorney Cindy Steinhauser, Assistant City Manager Teri Goodmann, Assistant City Manager Rich Russell, Building Services Manager December 18, 2014 TO: Michael C. Van Milligen, City Manager FROM: Rich Russell, Building Services Manager SUBJECT: Amending City Electrical Ordinance and Adoption of the 2014 National Electrical Code Introduction The purpose of this memo is to recommend adoption of the 2014 edition of the National Electrical Code (NEC) with local amendments. Discussion The Electrical Code Board of Appeals met on November 24, 2014 to review the 2014 NEC. Amendments to the published code include allowing property owners to install a regular single receptacle for an appliance that is fixed in place (not easily moved). Examples would include a freezer in the garage, a sump pump or garage door opener. Another amendment will not require arc-fault protection if an existing circuit is extended. The adoption of all of the recommended changes will keep the City of Dubuque's electrical ordinance consistent with the State of Iowa's requirements and those of other jurisdictions. It will help maintain the high standards that our city has always expected and received from persons doing electrical installations. It will also provide a consistent set of guidelines to use when licensed electrical persons from other parts of the state come here to work. Recommendation I recommend adoption of the 2014 National Electrical Code, including the local amendments. Prepared by: Crenna M. Brumwell, Esq. 300 Main Street Suite 330 Dubuque IA 52001 563 589-4381 ORDINANCE NO. 04-15 (Ordinance No. 4-15) AMENDING CITY OF DUBUQUE CODE OF ORDINANCES TITLE 14 BUILDING AND DEVELOPMENT, CHAPTER 1 BUILDING CODES, ARTICLE D ELECTRICAL CODE BY ADOPTING THE NATIONAL ELECTRICAL CODE, 2014 VERSION WITH AMENDMENTS THERETO; AND ADOPTING A NEW SECTION 14-1D-3 ESTABLISHING THE ELECTRICAL CODE BOARD AND PROVIDING FOR THE POWERS, OPERATION, MEMBERSHIP, AND MEETINGS NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT ORDAINED BY THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF DUBUQUE, IOWA: Section 1. Title 14, Chapter 1, Article D of the City of Dubuque Code of Ordinances is amended as follows: 14-1 D-1: NATIONAL ELECTRICAL CODE ADOPTED: Except as hereinafter added to, deleted, modified or amended, there is hereby adopted by reference as the electrical code of the city that certain electrical code known as the national electrical code, 2014 edition, as prepared and edited by the National Fire Protection Agency, Quincy, Massachusetts, and the provisions of such electrical code shall be controlling in the supply of electricity and in the installation, maintenance and use of all electrical conductors and equipment and installation of optical fiber cable within the corporate limits of the city, and shall be known as the Dubuque electrical code. A copy of the national electrical code, 2014 edition, as adopted, shall be on file in the office of the city clerk for public inspection. 14-1 D-2: NATIONAL ELECTRICAL CODE AMENDMENTS: The national electrical code adopted by section 14-1 D-1 of this article is hereby amended as follows: 81-3. Electrical Code Board. See 14-1D-3. 210.8 Ground -Fault Circuit -Interrupter Protection for Personnel Ground -fault circuit -interrupter protection for personnel shall be provided as required in 210.8(A) through (D). The ground -fault circuit -interrupter shall be installed in a readily accessible location. (A) Dwelling Units. All 125 -volt, single-phase, 15- and 20 -ampere receptacles installed in the locations specified in 210.8(A)(1) through (10) shall have ground - fault circuit -interrupter protection for personnel. (2) Garages, and also accessory buildings that have a floor located at or below grade level not intended as habitable rooms and limited to storage areas, work areas, and areas of similar use Exceptions to (2): a. Receptacles that are not readily accessible. b. A single receptacle or a duplex receptacle for two appliances located within dedicated space for each appliance that, in normal use, is not easily moved from one place to another and that is cord - and -plug connected in accordance with 400.7(A)(6), (A)(7), or (A)(8). c. Receptacles installed under the exceptions to section 210.8(A)(2) shall not be considered as meeting the requirements of 210.52(G). (5) Unfinished basements — for purposes of this section, unfinished basements are defined as portions or areas of the basement not intended as habitable rooms and limited to storage areas, work areas, and the like Exceptions to (5): a. A receptacle supplying only a permanently installed fire alarm or burglar alarm system shall not be required to have ground- fault circuit -interrupter protection. b. Receptacles that are not readily accessible. c. A single receptacle or a duplex receptacle for two appliances located within dedicated space for each appliance that, in normal use, is not easily moved from one place to another and that is cord - and -plug connected in accordance with 400.7(A)(6), (A)(7), or (A)(8). d. Receptacles installed under the exceptions to 210.8(A)(5) shall not be considered as meeting the requirements of 210.52(G). 210.2 Arc -Fault Circuit -Interrupter Protection (B) Branch Circuit Extensions or Modifications — Dwelling Units. This section is hereby repealed. 220.12 Lighting Load for Specified Occupancies The current exception to Section 220.12 is hereby repealed and the following is inserted in lieu thereof: a. Where the building is designed and constructed to comply with an energy code adopted by the local authority, the lighting load shall be permitted to be calculated at the values specified in the energy code. 406.4 General Installation Requirements This section is hereby repealed. 14-1D-3: ELECTRICAL CODE BOARD: A. Board Created: There is hereby created the Electrical Code Board. B. Purpose: The purpose of the board is to determine the suitability of alternative materials and methods of installation, to provide for reasonable interpretations of the International Electrical Code, to serve as an appeal body for the decisions of the building official, and to advise the city council on all electrical regulations and procedures. C. Internal Organization And Rules: The board may adopt rules and regulations to govern its organizational procedures as may be necessary and which are not in conflict with this Code of Ordinances or the Iowa Code. D. Procedures For Operation: All administrative, personnel, accounting, budgetary, and procurement policies of the city govern the board in all its operations. E. Membership: 1. The board comprises seven (7) residents of the city, appointed by the city council. 2. Residents must be eighteen (18) years of age or older. 3. Special Qualifications. a. Six (6) members must have a background or experience in electrical engineering, electrical contracting, electrical installation, or electrical maintenance. b. One (1) member must be appointed from the public at -large. F. Oath: Each person, upon appointment or reappointment to the board, must execute an oath of office at the first meeting of the board following the appointment or reappointment or at the city clerk's office any time prior to the first meeting of the board. G. Terms: The term of office for members of the board is three (3) years or until such member's successor is appointed and qualified. H: Vacancies: Vacancies must be filled in the same manner as original appointments. I. Officers/Organization: The board must choose annually a chairperson and vice - chairperson, each to serve a term of one (1) year. The chairperson must appoint a secretary, who need not be a member of the board. The board must fill a vacancy among its officers for the remainder of the officer's unexpired term. J. Meetings: 1. Regular Meetings. The board must meet bi-monthly. 2. Special Meetings. Special meetings may be called by the chairperson or at the written request of a majority of the members. 3. Open Meetings. All meetings must be called and held in conformance with the Iowa Open Meetings Law. 4. Attendance. a. In the event a member of the board has been absent for three (3) or more consecutive meetings of the board, without being excused by the chairperson, such absence will be grounds for the board to recommend to the city council that the position be declared vacant and a replacement appointed. b. Attendance must be entered upon the minutes of all meetings. 5. Minutes. A copy of the minutes of all regular and special meetings of the board must be filed with the city council within ten (10) working days after each meeting, or by the next regularly scheduled city council meeting, whichever is later. 6. Quorum. Four (4) members of the board constitute a quorum for the transaction of business. The affirmative vote of a majority of the members present and voting is necessary for the adoption of any motion or resolution. K. Compensation: Members serve without compensation, provided that they may receive reimbursement for necessary travel and other expenses while on official board business within the limits established in the city administrative policies and budget. L. Removal: The city council may remove any member for cause upon written charges and after a public hearing. M. Powers: The board has the following powers, duties, and responsibilities: 1. Any person who is aggrieved by a decision of the building official on any requirements resulting from the enforcement of this Code of Ordinances may appeal from such decision to the board and the board will serve as an appeal board. In case the aggrieved party is a member of the board, that member is disqualified as a member of the board acting as an appeal board until the appeal has been heard and a decision rendered. The appeal must be made by the person aggrieved giving written notice of such appeal to the building official within seven (7) days of receipt of the decision from which the appeal is taken. The board, sitting as an appeal board, must meet within ten (10) business days after receiving such notice and render a decision within five (5) business days after the hearing. The decision of the board is final unless appealed to the district court as provided by law. The board, after hearing an appeal, has the authority to: a. Uphold the decision of the building official. b. Reverse or modify the decision of the building official but only on finding that the building official incorrectly interpreted the provision of this Code. c. Limitations of Authority. The board has no authority to interpret the administrative provisions of this Code of Ordinances nor is the board empowered to waive any requirements of this Code of Ordinances. In modifying or reversing a decision of the building official, the board may authorize an alternative material or method of construction, provided the Board finds the proposed material or method of construction is satisfactory for the use intended and complies with the provisions of this Code of Ordinances and that the material or method is, for the purpose intended, at least equivalent to that prescribed by this Code of Ordinances in suitability, strength, effectiveness, durability, and safety. All appeals must be conducted in accordance with the procedures specified in this Code of Ordinances. Section 2. Nothing herein effects the term of any person serving as a member of the board as of the effective date of this Ordinance. Section 3. This Ordinance takes effect upon publication. Passed, approved, and adopted the 5th day of January, 2015. Roy D. Buol, Mayor Attest: Trish L. Gleason, Assistant City Clerk STATE OF IOWA {SS: DUBUQUE COUNTY CERTIFICATION OF PUBLICATION I, Suzanne Pike, a Billing Clerk for Woodward Communications, Inc., an Iowa corporation, publisher of the Telegraph Herald,a newspaper of general circulation published in the City of Dubuque, County of Dubuque and State of Iowa; hereby certify that the attached notice was published in said newspaper on the following dates: January 09, 2015, and for which the charge is $113.58. Subscribed to before otary Public in and for Dubuque County, Iowa, this AOf day of , 20 /5 . /Notary Public in and for Dubuque County, Iowa. ": ' Y K. WESTERMEY€R C•,: omission Number 154885 V, Exo. FEB. 1, 2017 Circuit -Interrupter Pro- . tection • (B) Branch, Circuit Extensions or""'Modifi- cations;; s Dwelling Units. This section is hereby, repealed. : 220.12 Lighting...Load for--rSpecified' :'SOccu-' pansies Thee.current exception to Section 220.12 is hereby°.. repealed' : and the following`;:; is inserted in lieu thereof: a. Where the building is - designed _ and constructed to, comply.. ,with an ...energy' code adopted by the local authority, the .'lighting load -shall be permitted to be calculated `at'the, values specified;in;the energy code. 406.4, General .Instal- lation Requirements This section is hereby repealed. 14=1D-3:„.ELECTRICAL CODE BOARD: • A. Board Created: There is hereby OFFICIAL '- created the Electrical .`PUBLICATION- Code,Board .ORDINANCE NO.' 04-15 B. :Purpose:, `The :AMENDING CITY. OF Purpose rp :determine .the ne oard iths TITLEis DUBUQUE' CODE. OF,'.• suitability, alter - ORDINANCES_ • native 'Materials and 14 'BUIL"DING AND .methods of installa- CHA T R 1'BUI NNGT tion,., to provide 'for • CHAPTER, 1 ARTICLEUILDIND reasonable . interpreta- ELECTRI LCO. DBY tions of the Inter - AD PIING ' THE' national" Electrical ADOPTING THE NA-: Code, to serve as an •TIONAL ' ELECTRICAL CODE, 2014 'VERSION , appeal body,for the WITH AMENDMENTS decisions of the THERETO; AND building: official, and to ADOPTING, ,A NEW advise` the •city council SECTION ,14-1D-3, on all electrical regii ESTABLISHING THE:; lationsandprocedures- *ELECTRICAL`' CODE- • C. Internal'Organi- •'l3,OARD: AND"•PRO..-.i zation and Rules: The VIDING -"'FOR THE' board -may adopt:;rules POWERS; :'• OPERAand regulations to ••TION, . MEMBERSHIP,' govern, its; •organiza- ANDMEETINGS. tional "procedures as NOW, THEREFORE;.BE. may be, necessaryand IT. ORDAINED.; BY THE;; which'''' are ' not in CITY 'COUNCILOF'THE ., conflict with this Code CITY-.. -OF 'DUBUQUE,` of Ordinances or the IOWA: •Iowa Code. Section 1.; Title. 14, D. Proceduresfor Chapter 1, Article D of Operation All admit -11s - the City of :Dubuque' trative; personnel, ac- Code of Ordinances is counting, budgetary, 'amended ,as follows: and procurement poli - 14 iD 1 ` NATIONAL: cies of the city govern ELECTRICAL .. CODE the " board -in- all- its' • ADOPTED:; operations Exas cept hereinafter.. E;MembershiP: • "'added to, deleted,, 1 The board coin - modified or amended,' Prises seven .(7): resi- there ,is hereby adopt dents, of the, -city, ed`by reference as the appointed by' the city electrical code of the `" council. city" that oertain elec- 2. Residents must be trical code known . as eighteen (18) 'years of the national ;'electrical age or older. code,. 2014 ,edition, as: pedal Qualifica- prepared and edited by tions. the National Fire a. Six (6) members Protection Agency, must have - a ..back- uincy Massachu ground or experience 'setts; aril • the in 'electrical. engi- provisions '''of, such veering electrical con_ electrical cotleshall be tractrng ;electrical. inr' controlling' in` 'the', stallation, or -electrical supply ; of ; electricity; maintenance: • and in the installation, b.'One. (1)vmember maintenance: and.' use must- be appointed of all ,electrical• .cone from :the public at ductors and'equipment large- • and installatio'n,,,:.of F.Oath Each'person, optical fiber cabfe upon ;appointment or within the' corporate reappointment Oto ,the ' limits of the, city, 'and board;must execute an shall be known as°:the' oath.. of office Jit the Dubuque • electrical first- meeting 'of the code A" copy of. , 'the, • board;:' following: the national • = or. a duplex` receptacle Remy muY'eu:r uy <" I for tv.,-/cirs', appliances chairperson, such . ab. - Heeded. Within tied- sence will be`grounds ','sated space far' -each -kW ':the , board to l appliance that, in recommend to the,oity 'normal " use, is not council that'the',posi 1,"easUy moved from one tion be declared vacant. place "to :another and and ` a replacement that is cord- and -plug appointed. I connected in actor b. -Attendance must , 1'dance"with 400.7(A)(6), be, entered upon the r (A)(7) ,dr (A)(8). minutes . of all I c. - Receptacles meetings. f. installed ;Under the 5. Nlmutes. A copy of eXceptions to; section the ,minutes of ,.all 210.8(A),(2)shali"notbe . regular' and Special. considered as meeting meetings of the board ; "the requirements -of must be filed with, the 21052(0) ' city council within'ten (5) Unfinished .base- (10) ,workmg days after mehts for; purposes,bf each meetin ,, or by ''this seotion unfinIshed 'the' nekt-' regularly 'baserSients' are defined scheduled city council as perilous orareasof meeting, whichever is the basement' ' not later. Intended :as habitable " 6.. Quorum. ! Four (4) rooms; anq limited'' to , members of Itfie board storage" areas, work constitute a quorum areas, and the like ' foF the transaction of Exceptions to (5): business. The affirma- ' a. Ai receptacletive;vote of a majority supplying' only a "of the members permanehtfy Installed present and voting is. .fire 'alarm or burglar "necessary ♦.for 'the alarm system Shall' not adoption ofany motion be required to ,have or resolution. ground- fault circuit K. Compensation; `interrupter protection. Members serge with b Receptacles that out compensation, pro are (iot'teadily acees vided that',they j may sibte receive reinlbiirsement I.. ifor "necessary travel. . c A single receptacle ;or a duplex receptacle and, other 'expenses for two appliances while on official board 1. located Within dedi-" business, Within' the, It cated„ space fereach limits established ' in appliance that,.', i in the city administrative 1'. normal , use, fs ;'not policies and budget" easily moved from_one ,',L.I:Removal; The city' place to'another and council may remove, that is cord and-pIUg any; member for cause connected in. actor- upon written" charges dappce,with 400 7(A)(6), and !,-aafter -a - public °'(A)(7); Or (A)(8),- " ! hearing. , , d. Receptacles Metal- M. Powers: The board: lea,.under:- the. excep- has ., the . •following". tions." to 210.80)(5) • powers, duties ! and' shallnotbe'considered responsibilities . astreetIn'g the require- 1.. Any person' who is rrients of 210.52(0)..., . aggrieved by!" a 210.12 Arc -Fault -decision of the building EFFECT OF AMENDMENT 14-1 D-1 : NATIONAL ELECTRICAL CODE ADOPTED: Except as hereinafter added to, deleted, modified or amended, there is hereby adopted by reference as the electrical code of the city that certain electrical code known as the national electrical code, 20141- edition, as prepared and edited by the National Fire Protection Agency, Quincy, Massachusetts, and the provisions of such electrical code shall be controlling in the supply of electricity and in the installation, maintenance and use of all electrical conductors and equipment and installation of optical fiber cable within the corporate limits of the city, and shall be known as the Dubuque electrical code. A copy of the national electrical code, 20144 edition, as adopted, shall be on file in the office of the city clerk for public inspection. 14-1 D-2: NATIONAL ELECTRICAL CODE AMENDMENTS: The national electrical code adopted by section 14-1D-1 of this article is hereby amended as follows: 81-3. Electrical Code Board. See 14-1 D-3. /a\ 99aFd abli'sh In nFdPFto deteFmine the ",i#,hility of altemative materaa;o nd me#hnds n£ insMlla#inn #n n yule for r able in#e rnreM#inn's n£ this nn rle #n al burly for the rleni'sinn's Of the biiilrling nffinial; to advice the nifii there is hereby n ea#ed the elen#rinal node beard /b\ beFshin The �eGtrin I de heard all siSt f seyeq /7\ merravers Cv� er�v p--n-,� roar-wvcvwrcr „--oo,i �r �T) m etestFiGaleRgi"eeFiRg, eteetrinal nn#mn#ing eleatrinal n's#alla#inn OF eieG main#enanne Rd n e /9\ member shell he a in#ed from the nnblin at large /n�)Tem; Qf llfi--vmoe. f offin f all beard h 'shall h /Q\ . er�x�oe�,--a„-�,er�,�ers� ree�TT�ear4 /r1\ I Anr1 D Ia#inn's The I rl Fd 'shall make 's ah ri I d �� ,es-�teg�,�,m�--r„� a �Qe _� � esu. #ha# 's inh ride"hall inn,irle the fnllnWdng: /'� gea,d Ghori,Ferre„. TheGhamFpersGR Of t;ebna P R Mernberothe I; elen#ed a ally by a ori#y of the heard p 01G) The heard of appeals m FeveFse 9F modify a rle pis inn of the building n££inial nnh, n finning that; R_. The hidlydinn n£Finial he rlin en#h, in#era�,re#erl the n rl n£#hic nne; n b. Thp delis the bwildiR�o£m£'nGial GFeateG aR 6IRReGeGGary hardship i n the appellaRt. The heard of appeals shell reg-dire that si i££inien# evirdenne OF PFQQf he siihmi##erl #n iihs#an#ia#e a nlaims merle r ending the i n£al#erne#es this nnrde mru-owe (e)L' i#a#inns n£ Awthnri#., The ear ppppeas have no a6itheFityTelative4G 'n#erpre#a#inn of the administrative PFOVOGOORS of this node nor shall the hoard he empowered to waiveFeg6ien#s of this anrde may an#hnrize a al#ema#e to the rdenision of the hr.ilydinn n£Finial anrd the p in#enrde rl nrl GOMplies with the PFOVOGOORS of this node a nrd that the mla a#e Fk me#hed o* offered £nr the p6iFpoGe in#enrderl at least ales# #n that presnrlherd by this anrde OR ni#ahili#v s#rens#h e££en#iveness rdwabili#v anrd 210.8 Ground-Fault Circuit-Interrupter Protection for Personnel Ground-fault circuit-interrupter protection for personnel shall be provided as required in 210.8(A) through (D). The ground-fault circuit-interrupter shall be installed in a readily accessible location. (A) Dwelling Units. All 125-volt, single-phase, 15- and 20-ampere receptacles installed in the locations specified in 210.8(A)(1) through (10) shall have ground- fault circuit-interrupter protection for personnel. (2) Garages, and also accessory buildings that have a floor located at or below grade level not intended as habitable rooms and limited to storage areas, work areas, and areas of similar use Exceptions to (2): a. Receptacles that are not readily accessible. b. A single receptacle or a duplex receptacle for two appliances located within dedicated space for each appliance that, in normal use, is not easily moved from one place to another and that is cord- and-plug connected in accordance with 400.7(A)(6), (A)(7), or (A)(8). C. Receptacles installed under the exceptions to section 210.8(A)(2) shall not be considered as meeting the requirements of 210.52(G). (5) Unfinished basements — for purposes of this section, unfinished basements are defined as portions or areas of the basement not intended as habitable rooms and limited to storage areas, work areas, and the like Exceptions to (5): a. A receptacle supplying only a permanently installed fire alarm or burglar alarm system shall not be required to have ground- fault circuit-interrupter protection. b. Receptacles that are not readily accessible. C. A single receptacle or a duplex receptacle for two appliances located within dedicated space for each appliance that, in normal use, is not easily moved from one place to another and that is cord- and-plug connected in accordance with 400.7(A)(6), (A)(7), or (A)(8). d. Receptacles installed under the exceptions to 210.8(A)(5) shall not be considered as meeting the requirements of 210.52(G). 210.12 Arc-Fault Circuit-Interrupter Protection (B) Branch Circuit Extensions or Modifications — Dwelling Units. This section is hereby repealed. 220.12 Lighting Load for Specified Occupancies The current exception to Section 220.12 is hereby repealed and the following is inserted in lieu thereof: a. Where the buildinq is desiqned and constructed to comply with an energy code adopted by the local authority, the lighting load shall be permitted to be calculated at the values specified in the energy code. 406.4 General Installation Requirements This section is hereby repealed. 14-1 D-3: ELECTRICAL CODE BOARD: A. Board Created: There is hereby created the Electrical Code Board. B. Purpose: The purpose of the board is to determine the suitability of alternative materials and methods of installation, to provide for reasonable interpretations of the International Electrical Code, to serve as an appeal body for the decisions of the building official, and to advise the city council on all electrical regulations and procedures. C. Internal Organization And Rules: The board may adopt rules and regulations to govern its organizational procedures as may be necessary and which are not in conflict with this Code of Ordinances or the Iowa Code. D. Procedures For Operation: All administrative, personnel, accounting, budgetary, and procurement policies of the city govern the board in all its operations. E. Membership: 1 . The board comprises seven (7) residents of the city, appointed by the city council. 2. Residents must be eighteen (18) years of age or older. 3. Special Qualifications. a. Six (6) members must have a background or experience in electrical engineering, electrical contracting, electrical installation, or electrical maintenance. b. One (1) member must be appointed from the public at-large. F. Oath: Each person, upon appointment or reappointment to the board, must execute an oath of office at the first meeting of the board following the appointment or reappointment or at the city clerk's office any time prior to the first meeting of the board. G. Terms: The term of office for members of the board is three (3) years or until such member's successor is appointed and qualified. H: Vacancies: Vacancies must be filled in the same manner as original appointments. I. Officers/Organization: The board must choose annually a chairperson and vice- chairperson, each to serve a term of one (1) year. The chairperson must appoint a secretary, who need not be a member of the board. The board must fill a vacancy among its officers for the remainder of the officer's unexpired term. J. Meetings: 1 . Regular Meetings. The board must meet bi-monthly. 2. Special Meetings. Special meetings may be called by the chairperson or at the written request of a maiority of the members. 3. Open Meetings. All meetings must be called and held in conformance with the Iowa Open Meetings Law. 4. Attendance. a. In the event a member of the board has been absent for three (3) or more consecutive meetings of the board, without being excused by the chairperson, such absence will be grounds for the board to recommend to the city council that the position be declared vacant and a replacement appointed. b. Attendance must be entered upon the minutes of all meetings. 5. Minutes. A copy of the minutes of all regular and special meetings of the board must be filed with the city council within ten (10) working days after each meeting, or by the next regularly scheduled city council meeting, whichever is later. 6. Quorum. Four (4) members of the board constitute a quorum for the transaction of business. The affirmative vote of a maiority of the members present and voting is necessary for the adoption of any motion or resolution. K. Compensation: Members serve without compensation, provided that they may receive reimbursement for necessary travel and other expenses while on official board business within the limits established in the city administrative policies and budget. L. Removal: The city council may remove any member for cause upon written charges and after a public hearing. M. Powers: The board has the following powers, duties, and responsibilities: 1 . Any person who is aggrieved by a decision of the building official on any requirements resulting from the enforcement of this Code of Ordinances may appeal from such decision to the board and the board will serve as an appeal board. In case the aggrieved party is a member of the board, that member is disqualified as a member of the board acting as an appeal board until the appeal has been heard and a decision rendered. The appeal must be made by the person aggrieved giving written notice of such appeal to the building official within seven (7) days of receipt of the decision from which the appeal is taken. The board, sitting as an appeal board, must meet within ten (10) business days after receiving such notice and render a decision within five (5) business days after the hearing. The decision of the board is final unless appealed to the district court as provided by law. The board, after hearing an appeal, has the authority to: a. Uphold the decision of the building official. b. Reverse or modify the decision of the building official but only on finding that the building official incorrectly interpreted the provision of this Code. C. Limitations of Authority. The board has no authority to interpret the administrative provisions of this Code of Ordinances nor is the board empowered to waive any requirements of this Code of Ordinances. In modifying or reversinq a decision of the building official, the board may authorize an alternative material or method of construction, provided the Board finds the proposed material or method of construction is satisfactory for the use intended and complies with the provisions of this Code of Ordinances and that the material or method is, for the purpose intended, at least equivalent to that prescribed by this Code of Ordinances in suitability, strength, effectiveness, durability, and safety. All appeals must be conducted in accordance with the procedures specified in this Code of Ordinances.