Heights rejects new building codes
Posted On: Wednesday, Dec. 2 2009 05:52 AM
By Mason W. Canales
Killeen Daily HeraldHARKER HEIGHTS – The City Council rejected adoption of the 2009 International Building Codes after a public hearing Tuesday, citing the codes' irrigation backflow requirements.
Councilman John Reider made a motion to pass the long list of building codes, which included fire safety precautions as well as an irrigation backflow requirement that would require residents to pay a private business to test their backflow.
The motion failed to get a second and died. Councilman Rob Robinson was absent from the meeting.
City Manager Steve Carpenter questioned the City Council about why the codes failed shortly after the motion died.
"I haven't talked to anyone, but I think it has to do with the $450 cost per check," Mayor Ed Mullen said, referring to the backflow device on irrigation systems.
During the public hearing, City Building Official David Kingsley discussed the changes that the city made to the backflow codes that reduce the requirements suggested by the international building codes and the Texas Commission on Environmental Quality.
"We have taken the City Council's advice," Kingsley said.
The changes included requiring the test every five years instead of annually, giving a 60-day notice for the test followed by a second 10-day notice before shutting off water to the home, and placing a notice at the home after the water had been turned off.
The backflow device on an irrigation system protects the city's water supply from chemicals that are used in yards as well as animal waste, Kingsley said before the meeting.
Mullen questioned Kingsley about the cost per test and how the city would find irrigation systems in yards.
Kingsley said the average cost per test is $75, and his previous estimates of between $25 and $75 were wrong. The city has also been fairly successful in finding the older systems, but would continue to look, he said.
Councilman Sam Murphey recently tested his irrigation system to see if it had a backflow system, he said. It did not, because it was about 25 years old. The cost of putting a backflow system into his irrigation system was roughly $450, which included the test.
Killeen is already implementing the required annual test on residences with an irrigation system.
Harker Heights city staff will bring the item back to the City Council during another workshop too see if different requirements can be adopted for backflow systems, Carpenter said.
The city will continue to function under the 2006 International Building Codes, until the new codes pass.
The City Council also discussed:
Money for children's safety programs from Bell County.
Adding sidewalks, bike trails and hiking trails to the city's thoroughfare plan.
Extending the sidewalk in front of Harker Heights High School on Farm-to-Market 2410 to Indian Trail.
Contact Mason W. Canales at
mcanales@kdhnews.com or (254) 501-7554.