School board picks building plan review

DICKINSON — Despite a $65,646 disagreement about whether Sam Vitanza Stadium needs backup power for an elevator, the school board decided Monday that the city’s interpretation of building codes beats the alternative.

The alternative, which was rejected by a majority of the Dickinson school board, would have placed future construction projects under the review of the International Code Council, which writes building codes.

City Administrator Julie Johnston, in a Feb. 11 letter to school Superintendent Leland Williams, gave the district an ultimatum, saying the city would not accept future plans until the board chose either the International Code Council or the city’s review process.

Voters recently approved a $107.5 million bond, which will fund, among other things, construction of buildings and classroom space to accommodate the district’s 26 percent growth this school year and projected skyrocketing enrollment.

Board member Ken Bowen led the opposition against hiring the International Code Council for plan review, saying any decision it made would be beyond the scope of local control.

“I don’t know how they determine who the inspectors are or whether they’re qualified,” Bowen said. “At least the city is responsible to the taxpayers.”

Board member J.T. Floyd said city officials are only held responsible at “election time.” He said he abstained from voting, and the measure to work with the city passed 5-0.

“They just don’t have staff qualified to inspect and permit (it),” Floyd said of the city’s decision to require the generator at the stadium. “It’s their job, but they don’t have the staff.”

Johnston didn’t comment on city staff qualifications, but said the International Building Code requires the elevator to have backup power.

“The city advised representatives of Dickinson Independent School District, PBK Architects and Durotech as far back as November 2006 of this requirement,” Johnston said.

“At that time, (they) advised the city that plans for the elevator ... would be submitted at a later date by the subcontractor doing the installation.”

Johnston said the city has yet to receive plans for the elevator or generator for permitting.

The ultimatum issued by the city excluded plan review of the generator for the elevator at the $12.8 million stadium’s press box.

Although the school district’s temporary occupancy certificate expired Jan. 31, the city, in an effort to work with the district to keep the stadium open, required the district to sign a liability waiver, saying the district wouldn’t hold the city responsible for anything that resulted from its use.

The release of liability expires Feb. 29, and Williams has said the district would have the $65,646 generator delivered likely in late May.

The district must install the generator in order to meet the city’s building code and obtain a final occupancy certificate.

Although Johnston said the city hasn’t discussed closing the stadium, it remains unclear what the city would do when the liability release expires.

“The city will work with DISD to ensure its continued use of the stadium,” Johnston said.