STANDARD the

MONTHLY NEWSLETTER OF THE BUILDING CODES AND STANDARDS DIVISION

MINNESOTA DEPARTMENT OF ADMINISTRATION • 408 METRO SQUARE BUILDING
121 7TH PLACE EAST • ST. PAUL MN 55101 • VOL. 1, NO. 6

ber
Fall seminars Sept em 2002

hitting the road

SEMINAR TEAM Clockwise, from upper
left: Rich Lockrem, Don Sivigny, Mike Fricke,
Tim Manz, section chief Mike Godfrey, Peter
Kulczyk, Curt Wiehle, and Kelly Denno.
I f you like interactive seminars in a relaxed
classroom setting and a chance to network
with your colleagues, not to mention the latest
information on the State Building Code – the
Building Codes Fall Seminar is for you.
The division will give 11 sets of two-day seminars weekly throughout the
state beginning Sept. 24 and ending Dec. 5, each day from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m.
This fall’s topics are:
Day 1 – introduction to the new Chapter 1300 on code administration,
which replaces Chapter 1 of the “I” codes (morning) and the new Chapter
1311 on rehabilitation of existing buildings (afternoon).
Day 2 – the 2000 International Building Code and its Minnesota-specific
amendments.
Two bound workbooks – about 300 pages each – and electronic slide
Fall seminars Page 3

Chapter honors Kleinbecks from sandbags . . .

T
he directors and staff at the Building Codes and Standards Division want to
congratulate Al Kleinbeck and his wife, Dorothy, on recently being presented
a plaque from the North Star Chapter of Building Officials at the chapter’s
summer conference in Duluth. Al and Dorothy were honored for their long history of
support to the chapter while Al served as executive secretary. . . . to trashbags
Al is a former code official in Albert
Lea, Bloomington, Plymouth, and the State
from the Building Codes and Standards Division and

BCSD is a familiar face in the code profession.

Dorothy, who worked with Al in the City of

directors Plymouth, joined him after her retirement

to also become involved in the chapter’s
Tom Anderson Roseau cleans up . . .
From the directors Page 5 Page 4
Mike Godfrey Don Sivigny Peter Kulczyk Kelly Denno
Section chief Senior building Building code rep Support staff
code rep
SEMINARS RATED HIGH
T
Mike Fricke
Building code rep he Education/Certification Section staff aim
to receive 85 percent satisfaction ratings by
attendees of their twice-yearly seminars,
but they don’t stop at that. Last spring’s seminars
earned a 97.5 percent satisfaction rating from
their attendees. The team continues to improve
its seminars through self-critiquing, poring over
seminar attendees’ evaluations looking for things
to fix, meeting with building officials, product
Rich Lockrem manufacturers, and others in the construction
Building code rep field to keep up with the latest developments, and
performing research on the Web, in the literature,
and, yes, at seminars.
A critical part of being a building code
representative is knowing the finer points of the
State Building Code. Built on the International
Building Codes with amendments to meet
Minnesota needs, the state code is a “living
document” with hundreds of oral and written
Tim Manz interpretations being made to it during its three-year
Mechanical code
rep life.
Working with a ‘living document’
The Education team not only has to be on top of
this moving target at all times, it must also teach
the code and answer difficult questions at the
division’s spring and fall seminars and many other
training classes sponsored by other groups in the
construction field.
Curt Wiehle “Sometimes it feels like an endless foot race,
Accessibility
specialist planning, scheduling, writing, and delivering new
material for each seminar series,” according to
Don Sivigny, the senior building code rep who
coordinates the work of the seminar team. “It’s
rewarding, though, to be able to help a building
2
official or builder with a difficult issue and to know
that the information we provide will help make
safe, sound buildings in Minnesota.”
All of the team members and their supervisor,
Mike Godfrey, have been in the building field
most of their lives and most of them have been
local building officials or inspectors. They share a
common mission that boils down to “building better
communities” – a theme used by the Building Codes
and Standards Division. The team is made up of Don
Sivigny, the coordinator, and Peter Kulczyk, both
of whom devote most of their time to the seminars.
The section’s newest employees – Rich Lockrem
and Mike Fricke – are building official certification
and exam administrators and also teach at the
seminars. Curt Wiehle, the division’s accessibility
specialist, and Tim Manz, the division’s mechanical
code representative, teach seminar courses in their
respective areas, as do others in the division as
their expertise is needed or requested. Kelly Denno
provides the support services that keep the section
running smoothly.
Continuous improvement has been evident in
the section since its inception 30 years ago. The
first seminars were taught in public buildings such
as city halls and vo-tech schools. “Once we were
given a room that connected with – and was the
sole entry to – another classroom, so people were
walking through our seminar all day long,” Mike
Godfrey recalled. “We also would have next-door
neighbors who were working on punch presses.
And then there was the time we were next door to
a group that would burst into song periodically.
We all sat and listened, creating a break for us, too,
although unplanned.” Today, seminars are taught in
hotel conference rooms, which provide an excellent
atmosphere for the instructors and attendees.
Most seminars run smoothly because of the
extensive preparations by the staff. But then there
was the seminar darkened by a power outage. “The
lights came back on at the time we were talking
about the last slide,” Peter said.

Fall seminars
Continued from Page 1
presentations will support staff instruction.
Building officials are encouraged to attend
both seminars, at a cost of $35 each day, which
includes meals and work books. Attendees who
choose to stay overnight are responsible for
their own arrangements and costs.
Although building officials are the main
target for the seminar, architects, engineers,
builders, and other interested persons are also
welcome. Breaks and lunch will offer time for
networking with from 60 to 100 colleagues
Team credentials important
T
he Education/Certification team
has plenty of building code work
experience. Here’s a brief accounting:
Curt Wiehle, an accessibility specialist, began
work as a carpenter in commercial construction.
After sustaining a spinal cord injury, Curt
became involved in disability rights and access
issues. Since 1990 he has worked with the
Oct. 9 - 10
Americans with Disabilities Act as well as
other disability rights laws and issues. He was
employed at the Minnesota State Council on
Disability for four years. Curt transferred to
Building Codes and Standards in fall 1996
and is actively involved in development of the
state’s accessibility code.
Tim Manz, the division’s mechanical code
representative, administers the state mechanical
code. He chairs the Mechanical Code Advisory
Committee, which is finalizing amendments
to the International Mechanical Code that will
be adopted in Minnesota. He was previously
mechanical inspector and assistant building
official in Grand Forks, N.D. Prior to that,
he was employed in the sheet metal and
steel fabrication industry after receiving his
mechanical engineering degree from the
University of North Dakota.
Don Sivigny, senior building code
representative and energy specialist for the
division, administers and teaches at the
division’s fall and spring seminars and other
Team credentials Page 5
each day. Attendance at each of the quizzes and question-and-answer
two seminars earns building officials
21⁄2 continuing education units. Others
sessions are among the learning
tools that have been used. Attendees
may also earn CEUs if their licensing
agency has approved the course.
may ask questions throughout the
presentations. “We try not to put
“This seminar schedule is them to sleep,” Mike added.
perfect timing, with new codes being Brochures for the fall seminars have
finalized this fall,” said Mike Godfrey, been mailed. If you have not received
Education/Certification Section chief. them, call Kelly Denno at (651) 296-1189
“Learning the changes is better before or e-mail her at kelly.denno@state.mn.us.
they’re made.” Mike added that any Registration must be made by U.S. Postal
last-minute changes to the newly Service and be postmarked at least 10
adopted code will be announced on the days prior to the seminar date.
division’s Web site, in the newsletter, For more details about the
and in broadcast e-mails or memos, seminars, go to the division’s Web
whichever is more appropriate. site at www.admin.state.mn.us/
No formal tests are given, but pop buildingcodes.
Locations and dates of Fall 2002 Seminars
DETROIT
LAKES
DULUTH
Oct. 23 - 24
ST.
CLOUD BROOKLYN
Nov. 20 - 21 CENTER
Nov. 12 - 13
MAPLE-
WOOD
Oct. 2 - 3,
Dec. 4 - 5
ST.
PAUL
Nov. 26 - 27
PLYMOUTH
Oct. 30 - 31
BURNS- ROCHESTER
NORTH
VILLE Nov. 6 - 7
MANKATO
Sept. 24 - 25 Oct. 16 - 17
3
 A SALUTE to the volunteers
The following inspectors deserve recognition
for their efforts assisting the Roseau Building
Department in inspection of the flood-damaged
PHOTOS: Above left, buildings: * Terry Zelenka
downtown shows the * Ray Williams
aftermath of rising water; * Bjorn Sveinson
above right, flood damage to
Photos by Doug Nord * Kevin Storstad
a residential structure; and
• * Tom Spoor
below, the cleanup is just
the beginning. Text by Jim Muyres * Jerry Skyberg
* Guy Sharpe

W
* Gina Schulze
ork continues for Roseau Building Official * Dale Schoeppner
Kevin Wiskow. Preliminary June flood impact * Richard Rock
estimates are in and show the widespread
* Duane
effect on Roseau’s 2,500 residents. Approximately 300
families were still displaced in early August, with 131 Ostrowski
families living in FEMA travel trailers. * Don Munson
Of Roseau’s 1,200 dwelling units, 900 were * Michael Miller
affected, with a total estimated damage of $11.4 * William Mesaros
million. The damage to businesses was also * Bruce Melin
widespread: 60 of the 100 businesses were displaced, * Michael McAlister
with estimated damage of $8.3 million. The cost
* Cal Mayfield
impact on the city’s infrastructure and public buildings
was $53.6 million. The total estimated damage from * Joe Kalenze
the flood is $84 million. * Don Hayes
The Disaster Preparedness Manual developed by * Bernard
the North Star Disaster Mitigation Committee, the state Gonshorowski
Division of Emergency Management, and the Building
Codes and Standards Division staff was extremely
useful. The complete manual is available online by
going to www.admin.state.mn.us/buildingcodes and
clicking on “informational print-outs.”
 Team credentials
Continued from Page 3
educational events. He is a
licensed building official and
builder and is HRAI-certified in
residential mechanical ventilation
installation. He has been with the
division since 2000 and before
that was a building inspector for
the city of Woodbury. Don also
was a construction manager for
13 years and a carpenter before
that.
Mike Godfrey, supervisor of the
Education/Certification Section
of the division since 1998, was
a building inspector and later
building official for the City of
Winona, and before that owned
his own contracting business.
He began his building career
as a carpenter in Maryland and
Florida. He studied math and
science at Montgomery College
in Maryland. He began work with
the division in 1986 as a building
code consultant.
Mike Fricke joined the division
this year as a building official
examination and certification
administrator and also teaches
at the division’s fall and spring
seminars and other training
events. He started as a building
inspector in 1990 and was
the building official of White
Bear Lake the last seven
years. His earlier construction
experience includes owning his
own remodeling construction
company. He was also a rehab
project manager for a Vista
low-income housing program,
a lather, and a framing and
remodeling contractor.
Rich Lockrem, a building
official examination and
certification administrator for
the division, also leads training
sessions at the division’s fall and
spring seminars and other events.
He joined the division this spring.
He had been Woodbury’s assistant
building official since 1984. Earlier
construction experience includes
two years’ project management for
a local commercial glazing firm and
six years’ project management for an
Iowa-based commercial developer.
Peter Kulczyk, a building code
representative, develops training
programs and teaches for the
division. Prior to joining the division
four years ago, he spent a decade
working for five construction
companies, followed by the next 15
years in municipal code enforcement. Al Kleinbeck receives plaque from Nell Bean
Kelly Denno has been with
Building Codes and Standards for
nearly five years. She started with
the Elevator Safety Section and
From the directors
just recently accepted the position Continued from Page 1
of administrative support for the
Education/Certification Section. activities. They provided administrative
Kelly assists in the process of and secretarial support for the chapter and
certification and re-certification of conducted the chapter’s contractor education
building officials. She also sets up programs around the state.
hotel accommodations for seminars Nell Bean, the current president of the
and handles the registration process. Northstar Chapter, presented the award. Nell
said, “The North Star board and members
wanted to show their appreciation for all the
hard work, dedication, and selfless sacrifice
Dorothy and Al have given to benefit the
chapter and its members.”
We here at the division want to echo those
comments and thank Al and Dorothy for all
they have contributed to the code enforcement
profession in Minnesota.
BCSD account tech
chairs AGA committee
Jeff Conner, the division’s account tech,
has been selected as chair of the Education
Committee for the Association of Government
Accountants (AGA) for the next year.
Last year, he served as a committee
member. 5
 STANDARD
THE
Minnesota’s newsletter for the building industry
THE BUILDING CODES AND STANDARDS DIVISION
MINNESOTA DEPARTMENT OF ADMINISTRATION
408 METRO SQUARE BUILDING • 121 7TH PLACE E. • ST. PAUL MN 55101
Fall seminars begin . . . 1
Meet the education team . . . 2
Waters recede, Roseau cleans up . . . 4
CALENDAR
Sept. 4 – Minneapolis – State Building
Codes and Standards program for
BOMA on miscellaneous codes
and code items. Contact Don
Sivigny at (651) 297-3600.
Sept. 18 – Redwood Falls – Southwest
Chapter of Building Officials educa-
tion seminar on architecture by
Doreen Frost, AIA. Contact Russell
Thornberg at (507) 238-9461.
Sept. 19 – Mankato – Building official
certification exams. Contact Mike
Fricke at (651) 205-4802.
Sept. 24 – North Mankato – State
Building Codes and Standards Fall
Seminar on administration and
existing buildings. Contact Don
Sivigny at (651) 297-3600.
Sept. 25 – Rochester – State Building
Codes and Standards Division
seminar on IBC amendments.
Contact Deanna Christiensen at
(612) 338-6763.
Sept. 25 – North Mankato – State
Building Codes and Standards
Fall Seminar on IBC. Contact
Don Sivigny at (651) 297-3600.
Sept. 28 – Baxter – State Building
Codes and Standards presentation
for Minnesota Building Permit
Technicians Association on code
changes. Contact Katy Okerstrom
at (763) 767-5121.
Oct. 2 – Maplewood – State Building
Codes and Standards Fall Seminar
on administration and existing
buildings. Contact Don Sivigny at
(651) 297-3600.
Oct. 3 – Maplewood – State Building
Codes and Standards seminar
on IBC. Contact Don Sivigny at
(651) 297-3600.
Prsrt Std
U.S. POSTAGE
PAID
Permit No. 171
St. Paul, MN
in this
SHORTS
issue
C
ongratulations to the state’s
recently designated building
officials:
• Robert Hegner – Greenvale
Township
• Michael Fabini – City of
Cambridge
• Jeff Fagerstrom – City of
Northome, City of Warren
• Kurt F. Wenzel – City of Moorhead
• Donald Rawls – City of Benson
• Matthew Simoneau – City of
Mound
• Nancy Scott – City of Rockville
(newly created this year by
consolidation of City of Pleasant
Lake, City of Rockville, and
Rockville Township)