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291 AGENDA (continued) ACTION TAKEN (continued) REPORTS OF CITY MANAGER (continued) REPORTS OF CITY MANAGER (continued) 5. (continued) Fire Code already adopted by the City Council iftw and will go into effect whether or not any fee schedule is enacted. Albert Meyers, Mervyn's, stated that he concurs in the recommendations of the Board of Directors of the Chamber of Commerce, stating he does not believe a permit system would cause any signi- ficant decrease in fires. Mr. Fales read the Chamber's recommendations and the replies of the Fire Department contained in Battalion Chief Yoakum's report of June 30, and suggested there is evidently a misunderstanding on the part of the Chamber, since the Fire Department inspects all business occupancies not just some on a selective basis, and the permit system is already instituted through adoption of the Uniform Fire Code. Mr. Fales said the City welcomes the third recommendation relating to a proposed fire safety committee involving Chamber members and the City's public safety departments. City Attorney Schricker advised that there is no need for conjecture in the matter of defini- tion of what are hazardous materials as the Uniform Fire Code states specifically the materials which present particular fire hazards and for which fire permits are to be required. Pete Hughes, 285 Woodside Drive, representing ,... the Redwood City Chamber of Commerce Board of Directors, stated that their principal concern is the establishment of a permit system, sug- gesting businesses might be closed without due process and cited his reasons for opposing issuance of permits. It was pointed out again that the permit sys- tem is established under the Uniform Fire Code and that owners of businesses handling hazardous materials may be ordered closed now, if the public interest is determined to require it. The hearing process covering such closings was described. Art Adams, 1816 Roosevelt, Adams Roofing, ob- jected to the permit system, stating that older buildings might not meet standards, etc. and businessmen could be put out of business. Mr. Adams suggested problems with defining "hazardous materials." Mr. Fales read the list of hazardous materials as defined specifi- cally by the Code. Lengthy discussion followed concerning whether or not Council could act as a hearing board; the hearings now conducted by the Fire Depart- ment; the desire of staff and most businessmen to comply strictly with fire prevention re- quirements; the fact that a formal permit is Reg.Mtg. 7/7/80 Page 6 r