City Commission Meeting Commission - City of Miami Beach

Afteraction September 8, 2005 City of Miami Beach12:40:33 a.m.R9D Discussion And Status Report Of Fire Department Yearly Inspection Of Condominiums And OtherCommercial & Multi-Family Buildings For The Last Three (3) Years.(Requested by Commissioner Luis R. Garcia, Jr.)(Deferred from July 27, 2005)ACTION: Discussion held.Commissioner Garcia asked Floyd Jordan, Fire Chief, if he needed help or any more fire inspectors.This comment is also included on item C4C:Floyd Jordan, Fire Chief, stated that a report was submitted to the City Manager responding to therequest made by Commissioner Garcia in reference to the status of the unit inspections program for thepast three years. He stated that for the past three years since 2002/2003, 1,800 of the 3,000occupancies have been inspected. In 2003/2004 approximately 1,500 were inspected and as of thedate of the report 780 inspections were completed. He explained that the inspectors assigned to theFire Prevention Division have to do approximately 3,000 inspections a year. Also, the Fire Companiesinspect an additional 2,000 occupancies per year. There was also a request on what had occurred withthe three buildings in questions; Castle Beach, Versailles as well as the Executive Condo. For theCastle Beach in 2002, the records indicate that there were no inspections. In 2003 and 2004 therewere partial inspections. In 2005 there was a full inspection and that was done after the closure. Forthe Versailles in 2002 no inspections were completed. In 2003 a full inspection was completed. In2004 there was none and in 2005 there was a full inspection after the closure. For the ExecutiveCondo in 2002 there was a full inspection; in 2003 there was a complaint inspection. In 2004 there wasno inspection and in 2005 there was a complaint inspection.Commissioner Garcia stated that the pictures received on the violations at the Castle Beach look likethey have existed at least prior to 2003. He questions the quality of that particular inspection. Hestated that the ordinance that originated these inspections is bringing approximately $350,000 a year inrevenues to the City, and there is language in the ordinance that the funds should go towardsenhancement for the Fire Inspections Services, and that has not been happening. He is concernedthat there may be other buildings in the same situation that have fallen through the cracks and the Citymay not know until it is time to close them down.Floyd Jordan, Fire Chief, stated that the Fire Department is concerned about this issue. The CityManager has been very supportive, and additional resources have been allocated in the FY 05/06budget. Over the years the staffing has been enhanced in Fire Prevention Bureau. Staff has increasedfrom three Plans Analysts to six, and a Chief Plans Analyst has been added. The Fire Department isworking with the resources available and is trying to improve. The Department hired an excellent FireMarshal who brings experience and expertise to the position, and who was given the responsibility tolook at what is being done and make recommendations. The Fire Department is in the process ofimplementing those recommendations. Performance standards are now being implemented. The FireDepartment is working on what needs to be done and is getting more resources and addressing someof the older buildings that may experience the same issues as these buildings experienced.Jorge Gonzalez, City Manager, stated that this year’s budget includes a professional engineer that willhelp with the fire inspections.Chief Jordan stated that there is an added position that has not been filled but it is in the sameclassification as a Fire Protection Plans Analysts.Commissioner Garcia stated that at one time there were recommendations to civilianize the FirePrevention Bureau and asked Chief Jordan if he is having trouble attracting Fire Fighters to serve in the40Prepared by the City Clerk’s OfficeM:\$CMB\CITYCLER\AFTERACT\2005\Afteractions\090805\aa090805.doc