HomeMy WebLinkAboutMN-EBP-2025-08-18Attendees:
Dave Warden
Aaron Vergason
Joe Donofrio
Tom Hayward
Scott Gibson Introductions
•Joe started 4 months ago as the City Plumbing Inspector. He has been digging deep in the existing inspection program and is
trying to make improvements. Backflow prevention, fines/violations, and grease interceptors, just to name a few.
•Joe served on City of Auburn board for 3 years. Likes to have a vote from the board. Things to do in the field, it's nice to
bounce things off with people.
Violations
•Need to have a fine structure or fee structure.
•The City currently has a $500/violation/day system but lacks any kind of ticket process to ensure that the violator is notified.
•Attorney's office will be helping us develop a ticket and how to work with the City court system for the appearance.
•City of Auburn does $1,000/$3,000/$5,000 escalating penalty system.
•Have the fee structure cover everything including non-license holders, grease trap issues, backflow testing problems, stolen
water, etc.
•0 tolerance for unlicensed plumbing work.
Backflow Prevention
•All commercial and all industrial must have a testable backflow. All residential units 4 and above also needs it. Anything 10
units and above needs redundancy which is bypass and backflow.
•City working on a software solution (VEPO) but legal wants us to put an RFP out to ensure that the advertisement system is
fair and equitable.
•Joe will do the backflow design on the most basic services.
•There are currently 2,000 devices in the city but only 154 on record.
Grease Interceptors
•Joe will be inspecting grease traps, but getting reports for RPZs.
•Grease trap letters are going out with requests for pumping schedule, maintenance, etc. They need to have service
records/logs.
Public Comment
•None
Members of the Board Comments
•Tom feels that there should be a Journeyman licensing/certification process. Come up with a test structure for journeyman.
This would then be spelled out in the form of a license. Joe said he would have no problem writing a Journeyman's test.
•Some discussion on what to do with the license rolls so that we can update our active lists. Group agreed that the license
holder must register to become inactive. Active/Inactive system desired.
Code Enforcement Items
•Failed inspection fee? Maybe $75 per inspection?
Examining Board of Plumbers
Monday, August 18, 2025 9:56 AM
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