CDCAN Report

May 27, 2008

R. Michael Paravagna appointed to California's Building StJune 2, 2008vernor Arnold Schwarzenegger announced the appointments of three persons to the California Building Standards Commission, to fill the 3 current vacancies on the 11 member panel, including an appointment to fill the seat reserved for the public from the disability community, vacant since March 2007.  All three appointments require approval (confirmation) by the State Senate.

The Building Standards Commission, chaired by Rosario Marin, Secretary of thJune 2, 2008y that has significant impact on how many of the State laws are implemented through regulations and building codes including those that relate to access rights for people with disabilities, persons who are blind, persons who are deaf, seniors and others.

The public member from the disability community position of the Commission was the source of some controversy when the Governor appointed Kim Blackseth, a person with disabilities, to that seat in March 2006.  Blackseth, of Oakland, withdrew his name from further consideration on March 14, 2007 last year after strong opposition from various disability advocacy organizations and individuals [see CDCAN Report March 14, 2007 in the CDCAN Report archives for 2007 at www.cdcan.us for more information]

June 2, 2008 the commission, as of May 23:

CRAIG DALEY, of San Jose, age 53, a registered Republican, appointed to the Building Standards Commission.vacant Contractor Position (announced May 23, 2008)

  • Since 1999, has served as president of Daley's Drywall & Taping Incorporated.
  • From 1985 to 1998 worked for Daley's Drywall & Taping as vice president and taper superintendent from 1975 to 1985.
  • Member of the American Society for Testing and Materials, Association of the Wall and Ceiling Industry Board of Directors and a trustee for the Northern California Drywall Contractors Association.
  • Also a trustee for the Carpenters Apprenticeship Training Trust and the Drywall Information Trust Fund.

Senate Confirmation Required: YES
Compensation: None - but provides $100 per diem

TONY HOFFMAN, of Pasadena, age 62, a registered Democrat, appointed to the Building Standards Commission to the vacant Organized Labor Position (announced May 23, 2008)

  • Since 1988, served as secretary treasurer and field representative for =
    the Southern California District Council of Laborers.
  • From 1981 to 1987, he served as business manager and secretary =
    treasurer for Laborers Local Union #1464.=20

Senate Confirmation Required: YES
Compensation: None - but provides $100 per diem

R. MICHAEL PARAVAGNA, of Rocklin (near Sacramento), age 56, a registered Democrat, appointed to the Building Standards Commission vacant Public Member/Disabled position (announced May 23, 2008)

  • Since 2007, served as the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) coordinator for the city of Sacramento.
  • From 1993 to 2007, served as chief of the disability access section for the Department of Rehabilitation (DOR).
  • From 1989 to 1993, was an administrator for the Department of Rehabilitation in the vocational rehabilitation work activity program.
  • From 1985 to 1989, he was a supervising business enterprise consultant for the Department of Rehabilitation in the business enterprise program for the blind.
  • Serves on the board of directors for the National Association of ADA Coordinators.
  • Former member of the California Round Table on Outdoor Recreation and Tourism, State Personnel Board Select Advisory Panel on Pride, Merit and Appeals, California State Historic Building Safety Board, Department of Social Services Mass Care Shelter Committee and the Universal Access Workgroup.

Senate Confirmation Required: YES
Compensation: None - but provides $100 per diem

BUILDING STANDARDS COMMISSION IMPACTS ACCESS

Established in 1953 by the California Building Standards Law, the California Building Standards Commission (BSC) is an independent commission within the State and Consumer Services Agency and is responsible for some of the State laws and regulations impacting access rights for persons with disabilities, the blind, the deaf, mental health needs and seniors:

  • Reviewing and approving building standards proposed and adopted by state agencies
  • Codifying and publishing approved building standards in one state building standards code (California Code of Regulations, Title 24)
  • Administering California's building code adoption processes
  • Resolving conflict, duplication, and overlap in building standards
  • Ensuring consistency in the nomenclature and format of the code
  • Hearing appeals resulting from the administration of state building standards
  • Receiving local agency modifications to California Code of Regulations, Title 24
  • Coordinating and managing the model code adoption process for various state agencies
  • Adopting and approving model codes and building standards for buildings owned by the state, including those constructed by the Trustees of the California State University and the Regents of the University of California
  • Adopting and approving model codes for state agencies that fail to adopt these codes within one year of their publication

Within the Building Standards Commission is a Coordinating Councilresponsible for ensuring coordination in the proposal of building standards, assisting in the development of building standards and resolving conflicting building standards, and also five Code Advisory Committees to advise the full Commission and staff on proposed building standards - including one specifically focused on access compliance for persons with disabilities, the blind, the deaf, seniors and others.

MEMBERS OF THE BUILDING STANDARDS COMMISSION

The 11 members of the California Building Standards Commission are appointed by the Governor and require approval (confirmation) by the State Senate. The Secretary of the State and Consumer Services Agency, or the secretary's representative, serves as the Commission Chair.

  • Commission members are supposed to represent the public, building design professionals, the building and construction industry, local government building officials, fire officials, and labor. Members serve four-year staggered terms and are not compensated, but are reimbursed for travel expense.
  • Disability advocates have criticized the Commission's make-up and membership as dominated by business interests and focusing not on enforcement and compliance of access rights.

COMMISSION CHAIR

Rosario Marin, Secretary - State and Consumer Services Agency
Appointed On:  01/31/06   Appointment expires: n/a

MEMBERS (all appointed by the Governor)

1. Isam Hasenin - Vice Chair - Local Building Official Position
Appointed On: 03/18/04   Appointment Expires: 01/01/12

2. Richard Sawhill - Public Member Position
Appointed On: 01/18/05   Appointment Expires: 01/01/09

3. Steven Winkel - Architect Position
Appointed On: 02/27/03   Appointment Expires: 01/01/11

4. Stephen Jensen - Mechanical Engineer Position
Appointed On: 01/18/05   Appointment Expires: 01/01/09

5. Christina Jamison - Local Fire Official Position
Appointed On: 03/10/06   Appointment Expires: 01/01/10

6. VACANT - Organized Labor Position
[filled by Governor announcement 05/23/08]

7. VACANT - Public Member/Disability Position
[filled by Governor announcement 05/23/08]

8. James Barthman - Public Member Position
Appointed On: 03/18/04   Appointment Expires: 01/01/12

9. Susan Dowty - Structural Engineer Position
Appointed On: 03/10/06   Appointment Expires: 01/01/10

10. VACANT - Contractor Position [filled by Governor announcement 05/23/08]