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Adopt a resolution proclaiming the month of May 2019 as Building Safety Month in Solano County
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Published Notice Required? Yes ____ No __X__
Public Hearing Required? Yes ____ No __X__
DEPARTMENTAL RECOMMENDATION:
The Department of Resource Management recommends that the Board adopt a resolution proclaiming the month of May 2019 as Building Safety month in Solano County.
SUMMARY:
Founded by the International Code Council (ICC), Building Safety Month is celebrated by jurisdictions worldwide during the month of May, along with ICC’s 64,000 worldwide members and a diverse partnership of professionals from the building construction, design and safety community. Corporations, government agencies, professional associations, nonprofits and more come together to support Building Safety Month.
The goal of Building Safety Month is to improve public safety by increasing awareness of how building codes and code officials create and sustain safe and sustainable structures that improve and protect the places we live, learn, work, worship and play. The campaign reinforces the need for adoption of modern, model building codes, a strong and efficient system that facilitates code compliance, and a well-trained, professional workforce to maintain the system.
FINANCIAL IMPACT:
The costs associated with preparing this agenda item and the reproduction of handouts provided to the public during Building Safety Month 2019 are a typical operating expense absorbed within the Department of Resource Management’s budget.
DISCUSSION:
This year's Building Safety Month’s theme is “No Code, No Confidence”. Each week during Building Safety Month, a specific building safety issue is highlighted by the ICC. These issues are: Preparing for disasters: Build strong, build smart (Week 1, May 1-5), Ensuring a safer future through training and education (Week 2, May 6-12), Securing clean, abundant water for all communities (Week 3, May 13-19), Construction professionals and homeowners: Partners in safety (Week 4, May 20-26), Innovations in building safety (Week 5, May 27-31). Additional information regarding each week’s specific building safety issue, and action that can be taken to improve safety, can be found on the Building Safety Month portion of the ICC’s web site at www.iccsafe.org.
The Solano County Building Official, building inspectors, plan reviewer, code compliance staff and permit technician work in concert with fire prevention officials, architects, engineers, builders and others in the construction industry to ensure safety of the structures in our community. These individuals and the expertise they bring in an increasingly complex code environment have made great strides in making contemporary buildings safer than those constructed in prior generations. They also provide the bridge to the community in making the codes understandable to the public to facilitate a smooth and effective permitting process. The results are safer buildings that are far more energy efficient.
During Building Safety Month this year, the Department will be talking to individual clients at the Resource Management counter and encouraging them to take, read, and discuss a variety of handouts, including: “Building Green - Living Better,” “ Building Codes - How They Can Help You,” “Flood Cleanup - Safety and Salvaging,” Careers in Code Enforcement,” “Safety Preparedness - Tips for Your Home and Family,” “Building Technology: Then and Now,” “Benefits of Building Permits,” “Prevent Accidents and Save Lives - Pool, Spa and Hot Tub Safety,” and “Mold - Tips on Prevention and Control.” The public is encouraged to participate and learn about the essentials of building safety in Solano County.
ALTERNATIVES:
The Board of Supervisors could choose not to approve the resolution. This is not recommended because the proclamation supports a planned event occurring in jurisdictions across the country that provides positive exposure for the County and helps to raise public awareness about building safety issues and County services.
OTHER AGENCY INVOLVEMENT:
Solano County is a member of the International Code Council, the sponsor of Building Safety Month. The Code Council develops the most widely used building safety and fire prevention codes in the nation.
CAO RECOMMENDATION:
APPROVE DEPARTMENTAL RECOMMENDATION