Message From President

Robert C. Hubbard,
President

Dear Colleague:

Just a reminder, it is time once again to renew your membership to the Maryland Building Officials Association (MBOA). Your participation is essential to our mission at MBOA to promote professionalism among Maryland’s code enforcement community.

As you are aware, the MBOA is a local chapter of the Building Officials and Codes Administrators International (BOCA). Simply remit your membership application and dues today, and you will be entitled to MBOA discounts on the purchase of all BOCA publications, as well as, seminars and seminar material. Furthermore, based upon our total membership, MBOA may be eligible for free BOCA seminars to which only members may benefit.

At all MBOA sponsored educational seminars continuing education units are awarded which may be utilized to maintain certification credit by serving on an MBOA committee or the Executive Board.

MBOA is also an affiliated chapter of the International Code Council (ICC) and supports the unification of the nations model code organizations.

Closer to home, MBOA is involved in keeping it’s membership appraised and educated on topics such as the Maryland Building Performance Standards and the Maryland Building Rehabilitation Code. We work cooperatively with the Maryland Department of Housing and Community Development to provide seminars on issues such as energy performance standards for buildings and accessibility guidelines.

Smart Code Update

The Maryland Rehabilitation Code Council held its third meeting on November 9, 2000 to review the current draft of the Maryland Rehabilitation Code. For a complete update of the process and for a copy of the current draft of the Rehab Code, please refer to the Smart Codes website at www.dhcd.state.md.us. Click on Smart Growth and DHCD and then click on Smart Codes Information. The code and other information can be downloaded directly from this website.

BOCA Annual Conference Highlights

BOCA’s 85th Annual Conference was held September 18- 21, 2000 in Rochester, New York. There were several actions taken by the membership that are significant to the MBOA membership.

William R. Bryant, M.C.O., Code Enforcement Administrator, Anne Arundel County, was reelected to a two-year term on the BOCA Board of Directors. John M. Gibson, Jr., M.C.O., Director of Permits and Inspections, Frederick County, was elected to a two-year term on the BOCA Board of Directors. This is the first time that the State of Maryland has had two members on the BOCA Board of Directors.

This is an extremely rare opportunity for the State of Maryland to have two BOCA board members, and is an indication of caliber of code enforcement personnel in the state. This alliance provides a unique opportunity for us collectively to impart our views on national code issues. Congratulations to Bill and John. Lets give them the support they need to give Maryland the national attention it deserves in code enforcement activities.

The new Officers and Directors for BOCA are: Rodney Blane, President; James T. Ryan, Vice President; Steven Shapiro, Secretary/ Treasurer; Paul Myers, Immediate Past President; Directors: Kenneth Andrews; Edwin Berkel; Ronald Brendel; William Bryant; Judson Collins; Cindy Davis; William Dupler; Ronald Estepp; Roger Fox; John Gibson; Wayne Jewell; Steven Regoli; Ronald Wetmore.

The Members endorsed Resolution 2000- 6, The future of the International Code Council. This resolution calls for the consolidation of the goods and services provided by BOCA, ICBO and SBCCI. It also urges the members and leaders of the ICC, BOCA, ICBO and SBCCI to initiate further consolidation of the independent activities of BOCA, ICBO and SBCCI with the goal of one organization.

Members also endorsed Resolution 2000- 7, The future of the ICC Code Development Process. This resolution encourages the ICC Board to adopt an ICC consensus process that is both timely and appropriate for the continued development of the International Codes.

Upcoming Training Events

Meet Your Board

Robert Hubbard, President
(Montgomery County)

Bill Bryant, 1st Vice President
(Anne Arundel County)

Michael Maring, 2nd Vice President
(Carroll County)

Tom Matzen, Secretary
(Prince George’s County)

Phil Waclawski, Treasurer
(Prince George’s County)

Shahriar Amiri, Director
(Montgomery County)

George Martin, Director
(Howard County)

Cliff Lee, Director
(City of Gaithersburg)

Richard Truitt, Director
(Harford County)

John Gibson, Immediate Past President
(Frederick County)

International Building Code

Jim Hanna
Maryland Code Administration

Maryland is in the process of revising the Maryland Building Performance Standard regulations to the new International Building Code (IBC). Amendments to the IBC recommended by the Codes Administration include the same modifications that were made to the 1996 BOCA National Building Code. The proposal will be published in the Maryland Register hopefully by mid November. Public hearings will be scheduled during the month of December. Be certain to keep up-to-date by referring to Code Lynx on the internet at www.lhi5.umbc.edu/dhcd.

Another Chapter Benefit

Bill Byant
1st Vice President

As we all are considering the adoption of the International Building Code one thing surely comes to mind. How much are the code books going to cost and what the impact will be on our budgets. One cost saving factor is a reduction in cost of the BOCA members’ price for the International code books. Members of MBOA can receive additional savings on orders of ICC code books and other publications that are offered by BOCA. An additional 20% cost savings maybe received on orders of publications simply ordering them through MBOA Chapter # 11. Orders will be placed as soon as the orders are received for convenience of our membership. Please send your order forms to MBOA; attention Bill Bryant; P.O. Box 57; Tracy’s Land, Maryland 20779 Checks shall be made out to MBOA. Orders will be placed with BOCA shortly there after.

The 20% discount is not available for the bundles of codes that are already offered at a significant lower price.

Open Letter to Legislator

Robert C. Hubbard
President

Dear Elected Official:

The members of the Maryland Building Officials Association wish you success in the upcoming Maryland General Assembly session. And, we would like to offer our professional and technical knowledge on issues concerning building construction regulation and/or code enforcement that might challenge you during the upcoming session.

MBOA is a not for profit organization comprised of over 400 county and municipal code enforcement officials from across Maryland. Our mission is to promote professionalism and consistency in the application and enforcement of building codes throughout the State. To accomplish our mission we sponsor statewide education programs, disseminate code-related information, and review and comment on legislation such as last years Maryland Building Rehabilitation Code.

MBOA is a chartered chapter of both the Building Officials and Codes Administrators International and the International Codes Council. We are proud to announce that two MBOA executives hold elected positions on the BOCA Executive Board. As well several members hold positions on national committees addressing such issues as building accessibility and fire protection.

Again we look forward to working with you to insure that Maryland’s built environment is safe for it’s citizens and visitors. If our membership may assist you in any fashion, please do not hesitate to phone me at 240-777-6363, e-mail me at robert.hubbard@co.mo.md.us, or write.