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Summaries of meetings of the Comm 33, Passenger Ropeways Code Advisory Council Wednesday, August 10, 2011, Noon, Devil’s Head Resort, S6330 Bluff Road, Merrimac, WisconsinCouncil Member Attendance: Jim Engel - Present; Sam Geise - Excused; Hans Hauschild - P; Jim Hubing - P; Don McKay - P; Gren Rudd - P; Rick Schmitz - P; Dennis Schulz - P; Chris Stoddard - P; Rob Walz - P. Visitors: Sid Roslund, Director of Technical Services, National Ski Areas Association Staff: Scott Amacher, Lori Ann Curley, April Hammond, Berni Mattsson, Jim Quast, Dave Vriezen - Jim Engel opened the meeting with introductions. - The meeting summary was approved with one modification to the attendance. The agenda was approved without modification. - Sid Roslund, Director of Technical Services, National Ski Areas Association, presented details of the proposed ANSI B77.1 2011 edition and answered questions from the council and staff. Topics discussed included: - Economic impact on ski hills and other businesses in Wisconsin in light of retroactive requirements. - Clarification of “Operation and Maintenance” ANSI provisions with respect to “design” features and the retroactive application. - Implementation of retroactively requiring rollback devices on all lifts. - Wording regarding the power system provision for communications being “independent of the primary power.” - Cable catchers for saddles and mounts. - Fulfillment of ANSI general inspection obligations. - Communication and control wiring exemptions from the National Electrical Code and overlap with the Wisconsin Electrical Code, Comm 16. - Coordination of Permit-to-Operate recertification dates. - Forms utilized and required for inspections. The next meeting will be Wednesday, September 28, 2011, 10 a.m., Room 3B, Thompson Building, 201 W.Washington Avenue, Madison, Wisconsin. Questions can be directed to Jim Quast, jim.quast@wisconsin.gov, or 608/266-9292. Thursday, July 14, 2011, 10 a.m., Rm 3B, Thompson Commerce Center, 201 W. Washington Ave., Madison, Wisconsin Council Member Attendance: Jim Engel - Present; Sam Geise - Excused; Hans Hauschild - P; Jim Hubing - P; Don McKay - E; Gren Rudd - E; Rick Schmitz - P; Dennis Schulz - P; Chris Stoddard - P; Rob Walz - P. Visitors: None Staff: Lori Ann Curley, April Hammond, Berni Mattsson; Tom Nardelli; Jim Quast; Dave Vriezen 1. Bring meeting to order, welcome and introductions: Jim Quast opened the meeting with introductions. 2. Review agenda: Agenda was approved without modification. 3. Review project scope and timeline: The purpose of the Passenger Ropeways Code Advisory Council is to update Comm 33, Passenger Ropeways, to coincide with the current national standard ANSI B77.1 (2006 or 2011), including additions, deletions, and substitutions as unique to the State of Wisconsin needs. The rule-making process comprises proposing a draft, holding a public hearing/comment session, adjusting the draft as needed, creating the fiinal rule draft for the department secretary, the pertinent legislative committees, and the governor to review. This process should take approximately six to eight months. 4. Council duties/responsibilities: The department values the input of the advisory council, who represents different organizations, associations, and businesses, and perspectives. 2011 Wisconsin Act 21 requires a more detailed economic impact analysis than what was required for the previous code updates, so the department will seek the council’s assistance in evaluating this impact. 5. Division Update: Jim Quast updated the committee that the department now is the Department of Safety and Professional Services (DSPS) and, as such, we are a department in transition. 6. Identification of code issues and concerns: Some of the concerns raised by the Council at this stage included - - Other states will accept third party inspection forms, but not Wisconsin, even though third party inspections are accepted. These third party forms describe what the inspector does more accurately. Wisconsin requires a separate form be submitted for inspections. - The economic impact of non-ski areas (i. e. water parks) also should be considered. - The notices of license inspection dates (Permit to Operate, or PTO) are different than what are required by the insurance industry. Maybe consider a “season” date for the PTO. 7. Program issues: Some of the program issues presented to the council included - - Are things being maintained to code and manufacturer’s standards? In light of the 2009 incident at Devil’s Head, people want to know if these operations are safe. - Why the department form is required instead of accepting the forms from third party inspectors: The department usually does not require fines or penalties because the department has to go through the courts for non-compliance issues. Fees have to be justified, so those paying the fees know they are receiving appropriate support from the department. - The corrections of violations needs to be verified through a follow-up inspection: Both the council and the department want good inspections; a method for accomplishing this needs to be agreed upon. 8. Election of a chairperson: Rob Walz nominated Jim Engel to be chair; Jim Hubing seconded. Motion passed unanimously. 9. Discussion of ANSI B77.1 comparison: The handout analyzing ANSI B77.1 editions from 1999 - 2006 was discussed. The council is willing to adopt the 2011 edition rather than 2006, depending on the status of the 2011 edition in its approval process. A conference will take place at Devil’s Head in August to discuss the ANSI changes. 10. Discussion of working draft of the new code: The working draft of Comm 33 will include only code revisions and changes to the ANSI standard. The draft is not a complete code rewrite. One option for inspections is to have two per year: one with snow, one without; or in two parts: pre-operational and operational. In lieu of two inspections, the concept of a “complete” inspection (one that comprises all needed information whether done in two parts or one) needs parameters from the Council, to consider conditions and ropeways that do not require snow. The council wants to have an operation area have the same inspection and PTO dates. Anti-rollback devices should be required of all passenger ropeways in light of the 2009 incident. 11. Discuss next meeting and adjourn - The next meeting will take place at the end of the August conference at Devil’s Head on Wednesday, August 10, 2011. Any questions can be directed to Jim Quast, jim.quast@wisconsin.gov, or 608-266-9292. County Web sites || City/Town/Village Web sites || State Portal || Build Your Business The Department of Safety and Professional Services Safety and Buildings Division is an equal opportunity service provider and employer. If you need assistance to access services or need material in an alternate format, please contact us, 608-266-3151, TDD Relay dial 711 in Wisconsin or 800-947-3529. |