Findings Of Fact At all times relevant thereto, respondent, Benjamin R. Newbold, Jr., held registered electrical contractor license number ER 0001170 issued by petitioner, Department of Professional Regulation, Florida Electrical Contractors Licensing Board. He was granted registration in September, 1974 after evidencing competency in Metropolitan Dade County. His present address is Route 3, Box 839, Silver Springs, Florida. He also holds a registered electrical contractor's license with the City of Ocala and, as such, is authorized to pull permits and perform electrical work within that city. At all times relevant thereto, respondent, Edward I. Hammond, held registered electrical contractor license number ER 0003860 issued by petitioner. Hammond was granted registration in September, 1975 after evidencing competency in Marion County, Florida. However, Hammond is not qualified to perform electrical work within the City of Ocala since he had not obtained the required certificate of competency. His present address is 2529 Northeast 6th Street, Ocala, Florida. Section 2.63 of the Ocala City Code provides in part that "no person shall engage in said businesses or occupations (of a contractor) in the city until such person shall have first stood a satisfactory examination before the examining board as to his qualifications and fitness to engage in such occupation or business." On or about March 22, 1983, Drake Contracting Company, a construction firm in Oca1a, Florida, entered into a contract with H & H Electrical Contractor Company (H & H), an electrical firm in Silver Springs, Florida, wherein H & H would perform the electrical work on a construction project for Caviness Buick, 2060 Southwest College Road, Ocala, Florida. The agreed-upon price was $42,113. Hammond was the owner of H & H. In order to perform the work required in the above contract, it was necessary that the person doing the work be certified by the City of Ocala. On April 7, 1983, Newbold filed an application for an electrical permit with the City of Ocala to perform the work on the Caviness Buick project. The application did not reflect that H & H was associated in any respect with the job. Thereafter, on April 13, the City code enforcement officer learned through a telephonic complaint that H & H had no certificate of competency. On April 19, the officer contacted Hammond on the job site to advise him that H & H was in violation of the City code and that he could not perform the job. After being told their endeavors were illegal, respondents entered into a written "joint venture" on April 21, 1983, and agreed to work jointly on the Caviness Buick project and split the profits, if any. Newbold was to be in charge of supervising the employees on the job. Newbold had qualified for a certificate of competency with the City in 1978. Using that certificate, he filed an application for contractor's certificate with the City on May 4, 1983 seeking to qualify H & H. This application was apparently granted by the City shortly thereafter. From that point on, H & H was qualified to contract electrical work within the City. Respondents contended that an informal agreement between the two existed prior to obtaining the contract to do the job and that it was formalized in writing after the City made its complaint.
Recommendation Based on the foregoing findings of fact and conclusions of law, it is RECOMMENDED that respondent Newbold be found guilty of violating Subsections 489.533(1)(k), Florida Statutes, and that a $100 fine be imposed for such conduct, the fine to be paid within thirty (30) days from date of final order in this cause. It is further RECOMMENDED that respondent Hammond be found guilty of violating Subsection 489.513(4), Florida Statutes, and that a $200 fine be imposed for such conduct, the fine to be paid within thirty (30) days from date of final order in this cause. DONE and ORDERED this 8th day of November, 1983, in Tallahassee, Florida. DONALD R. ALEXANDER Hearing Officer Division of Administrative Hearings The Oakland Building 2009 Apalachee Parkway Tallahassee, Florida 32301 (904) 488-9675 Filed with the Clerk of the Division of Administrative Hearings this 8th day of November, 1983. COPIES FURNISHED: Charles Tunnicliff, Esquire 130 North Monroe Street Tallahassee, Florida 32301 Mr. Benjamin R. Newbold, Jr. Route 3, Box 830 Silver Springs, Florida 32688 Mr. Edward I. Hammond 2529 Northeast 6th Street Ocala, Florida 32670 Mr. Alan R. Smith Executive Director Florida Electrical Contractors Licensing Board 130 North Monroe Street Tallahassee, Florida 32301 Mr. Fred Roche Secretary Department of Professional Regulation 130 North Monroe Street Tallahassee, Florida 32301
The Issue Whether Respondent violated Subsection 489.531(1), Florida Statutes (2003),1 by engaging in the unlicensed practice of electrical contracting, and, if so, what disciplinary action should be imposed.
Findings Of Fact Based on the evidence and testimony of the witnesses presented and the entire record in this proceeding, the following facts are found: At all times material hereto, Respondent was not licensed or had ever been licensed to engage in electrical contracting in the State of Florida. At all times material hereto, Sundance Home Remodeling, Inc., did not possess a certificate of authority to practice as an electrical contractor qualified business. At all times material hereto, Respondent was the sole owner/operator of Sundance Home Remodeling, Inc. Respondent has an occupational carpentry license from Hillsborough County, Florida, and uses the general contractors’ licenses of others. In April 2003, Respondent contracted with Phyllis Price to do the following work at Ms. Price's residence in Riverview, Florida: enclose her back porch, add on a screened room, change the French doors in some of the bedrooms, and install electric ceiling fans, an electric outlet, and an exterior light. On or about April 17, 2003, Respondent contracted with Ms. Price to install and hook up four electric ceiling fans and install one exterior light for $130.00. On or about April 26, 2003, Respondent submitted a proposal to Ms. Price for the installation of one electric outlet at her residence for $25.00. Respondent completed the work that he contracted to do for Ms. Price, including the electrical work. Ms. Price paid Respondent at least $5,240.00 for the work that he performed. Of that amount, Ms. Price paid Respondent a total of $180.00 for the electrical work he performed at her residence. The electrical work contracted and performed by Respondent required a permit. No evidence was presented that, prior to this time, Respondent has been subject to disciplinary action for the unlicensed practice of electrical contracting. The total investigative costs to the Department of Business and Professional Regulation, excluding costs associated with any attorney’s time, was $313.00.
Recommendation Based on the foregoing findings of fact and conclusions of law, it is RECOMMENDED that a final order be entered that (1) finds Respondent not guilty of the charges alleged in Count One of the Administrative Complaint; (2) finds Respondent guilty of the charges in Count Two and Count Three of the Administrative Complaint; (3) imposes on Respondent an administrative fine of $1,000.00 for each violation, for a total administrative fine of $2,000; and (4) assesses Respondent costs of $313.00, for the investigation and prosecution of this case, excluding costs associated with an attorney's time. DONE AND ENTERED this 27th day of July, 2006, in Tallahassee, Leon County, Florida. S CAROLYN S. HOLIFIELD Administrative Law Judge Division of Administrative Hearings The DeSoto Building 1230 Apalachee Parkway Tallahassee, Florida 32399-3060 (850) 488-9675 SUNCOM 278-9675 Fax Filing (850) 921-6847 www.doah.state.fl.us Filed with the Clerk of the Division of Administrative Hearings this 27th day of July, 2006.
The Issue Whether the Respondent failed to provide proof of workers' compensation coverage or exemption, and proof of having completed 14 hours of approved continuing education in response to an audit conducted by the Electrical Contractors Licensing Board for the biennium commencing September 1, 1996, and terminating on August 31, 1998, in violation of Subsection 489.533(1)(o), Florida Statutes, by violating Subsections 489.515(3) and 489.517(3), Florida Statutes, and Rule 61G6- 9.011, Florida Administrative Code, as alleged in the Amended Administrative Complaint.
Findings Of Fact The Petitioner is the State of Florida, Department of Business and Professional Regulation (DBPR), the state agency charged with regulating the practice of electrical contracting in Florida and those licensed under Chapter 489, Florida Statutes, pursuant to Section 20.165, and Chapter 455, Florida Statutes. The Respondent is, and has been at all times material to the allegations in the Amended Administrative Complaint, an electrical contractor licensed by the Electrical Contractors Licensing Board. From 1987 until 2000, the Respondent was a registered electrical contractor, holding license number ER 0010816. Since August of 2000 the Respondent has been a certified electrical contractor holding license number EC 0002356. The Respondent's practice pursuant to his registered license was a prerequisite to issuance of his certified license. All insurance and continuing education requirements for renewal of a license issued by the ECLB are set forth in Sections 489.515 and 489.517, Florida Statutes, as well as Rule 61G6-9.004, Florida Administrative Code, and are identical for certified and registered electrical contractors. In March of 1999 the ECLB conducted a random audit of the insurance and continuing education requirements established in Rule 61G6-9.004, Florida Administrative Code, for the biennium commencing September 1, 1996, and terminating August 31, 1998. The Respondent was one of the licensees randomly chosen for this audit. In response to the initial audit letter sent to the Respondent on March 17, 1999, the Respondent submitted insurance and continuing education documentation. This documentation reflects: no evidence of workers' compensation coverage or exemption for the audit period; no evidence of approved continuing education for the audit period; and no evidence of required liability insurance for the audit period. The continuing education documentation submitted by the Respondent was for the prior biennium, in February 1996. On July 19, 1999, the ECLB forwarded the Respondent a follow-up letter, indicating that he was still lacking the documents enumerated in Finding of Fact Number 5. In response to this letter, the Respondent submitted documentation of the required liability insurance and of workers' compensation for May 1, 1997 through June 22, 1999. At hearing, the Respondent produced a document similar to those previously provided to the DBPR documenting his workmen's compensation insurance from March 1, 1995 to May 1, 1997. The date of this document was the same as the date on the materials previously furnished to DBPR. The Respondent testified that his insurance agent had faxed the requested documents to DBPR and sent copies to him. He received all of the documents substantiating his insurance from May 1, 1997 until June 22, 1999. His agent presumably forwarded or faxed the same documents to DBPR. DBPR produced all the documents except the one for the period of March 1, 1995 until May 1, 1997. The Respondent provided enough information to raise a genuine question whether this document was lost by DBPR. It is concluded that it is as likely DBPR lost the record as it is the record was not sent. There was no additional documentation of the required continuing education submitted at hearing. Subsequent to the completion of the audit, the ECLB initiated a complaint with the Bureau of Consumer Services at DBPR. This complaint alleges that the Respondent failed to document required workers' compensation coverage or exemption for the entire audit period and failed to document required continuing education within the audit period. The Respondent was initially issued citations for resolution of the alleged violations herein. Each of these citations provided for a $500 administrative fine. The continuing education violation was documented as DBPR case number 2000-08338 and the workers' compensation violation was documented as 2000-05654. The Respondent chose to dispute these citations, and as a result, this matter was handled pursuant to the provisions of Section 455.225, Florida Statutes. The Respondent has failed to document completion of hours of board approved continuing education between September 1, 1996 and August 31, 1998. The Respondent failed to obtain any board approved continuing education between September 1, 1996 and August 31, 1998. In DBPR case number 2000-08338, the Petitioner incurred non-legal costs in the amount of $31.70. In DBPR case number 2000-05654, the Petitioner incurred non-legal costs in the amount of $42.47. However, this cost may not be recovered.
Recommendation Based upon the foregoing Findings of Fact and Conclusions of Law set forth herein, it is RECOMMENDED: That a final order be entered imposing an administrative fine of $500 against the Respondent for Count II of the Amended Administrative Complaint. It is further recommended that the Respondent be required to pay the non-legal costs incurred by the Petitioner in both agency cases totaling $31.70. DONE AND ENTERED this 14th day of September, 2001, in Tallahassee, Leon County, Florida. STEPHEN F. DEAN Administrative Law Judge Division of Administrative Hearings The DeSoto Building 1230 Apalachee Parkway Tallahassee, Florida 32399-3060 (850) 488-9675 SUNCOM 278-9675 Fax Filing (850) 921-6847 www.doah.state.fl.us Filed with the Clerk of the Division of Administrative Hearings this 14th day of September, 2001. COPIES FURNISHED: Laura P. Gaffney, Esquire Department of Business and Professional Regulation 1940 North Monroe Street, Suite 60 Tallahassee, Florida 32399-0792 David Karably Post Office Box 12 Earleton, Florida 32631 Hardy L. Roberts, III, General Counsel Department of Business and Professional Regulation 1940 North Monroe Street Tallahassee, Florida 32399-2202 Anthony B. Spivey, Executive Director Electrical Contractors Licensing Board Department of Business and Professional Regulation 1940 North Monroe Street Tallahassee, Florida 32399-0792
The Issue The Petitioner has applied to take the Electrical Contractors' Licensing Board licensure examination and the Board proposes to deny the Petitioner's application on the ground that the Petitioner does not fully meet the experience requirements which are prerequisites to taking the examination. The parties stipulated that the Petitioner has satisfied one-half of the experience requirement pursuant to Rule 21GG-5.03(2), Florida Administrative Code, by reason of his having a bachelor's degree in electrical engineering from the University of Miami. Thus, the central issue in this case is whether the Petitioner's professional and business experience constitutes one and one-half years "proven experience in the trade as an electrical contractor or in a responsible management position with an electrical contractor." See Section 2489.521, Fla. Stat., Rule 2100-5.03(1), F.A.C.
Findings Of Fact Based on the testimony of the witnesses, the exhibits received in evidence, and the stipulations of the parties, I make the following findings of fact. Mr. Juan M. Reynes has applied to the Electrical Contractors' Licensing Board (hereinafter referred to as "the Board") to take the licensure examination for certification as an electrical contractor. Mr. Reynes' application was denied because the Board concluded that he had failed to demonstrate the experience required by Section 2489.521, Florida Statutes, as interpreted by Rule 21GG-5.03, Florida Administrative Code. Mr. Reynes is originally from Cuba, where his father ran an electrical contracting company. When Mr. Reynes was a teenager he began working in his father's business in 1949. He worked in a number of capacities, including work as an apprentice to an electrical engineer. Thereafter Mr. Reynes studied electrical engineering at the University of Havana and received a degree in electrical engineering during the middle or late 1950's. Thereafter, Mr. Reynes was licensed as an electrical engineer in Cuba. Following receipt of his degree and license as an electrical engineer, Mr. Reynes continued to work for his father's electrical contracting company from 1958 until sometime in 1962. During the period from 1958 to 1962, Mr. Reynes was involved in all aspects of the management of his father's electrical contracting company. His involvement in the management of the business included such things as signing contracts for the company, locating new business for the company, obtaining the necessary permits, dealing with the supply houses, and keeping the necessary employee records. In Cuba a license to practice electrical engineering also authorized the licensee to engage in the business of electrical contracting. The permitting procedure in Cuba was one in which permission to construct was obtained by having the appropriate government officials sign the blue prints. It was necessary to have an electrical engineer degree in order to submit blue prints for government approval. At the time Mr. Reynes was working as a licensed electrical engineer with his father's company there were laws in Cuba similar to Florida's worker's compensation laws and unemployment compensation laws. Workers in Cuba were also guaranteed certain other benefits such as guaranteed vacation days and sick leave. It was necessary to keep records regarding each employee. At the time Cuba did not have any laws similar to the Social Security laws in this country. When Mr. Reynes was studying for his electrical engineering degree in Cuba, his course work included studying the law of contracts. Thereafter Mr. Reynes spent a number of years in jail in Cuba as a political prisoner. Following his release from jail, from October of 1970 until January 1972 Mr. Reynes worked on some extensive electrical construction projects for Alfa Romeo in Cuba. After finishing that project, Mr. Reynes was able to obtain permission to leave Cuba and move to Spain. All of the electrical construction projects that Mr. Reynes was involved in within Cuba were built pursuant to the latest available edition of the North American National Electric Code. In Spain, Mr. Reynes did some work in the fields of electronics and electrical engineering. He left Spain and came to the United States. In the United States he has worked for a lot of companies in a variety of positions related to one aspect or another of electricity, but most of that experience is not relevant to the experience requirements for taking the electrical contractor's certification examination. While working in the United States, Mr. Reynes studied electrical engineering at the University of Miami and received a bachelor's degree in electrical engineering in May of 1981. He graduated cum laude as a result of receiving high grades, which he was able to do while also working full time to support himself and his family. In October of 1981, he took the licensure examination for professional engineer and passed it the first time he took it. Since February of 1982, he has been licensed as a professional engineer by the Board of Professional Engineers of the State of Florida. Since being licensed as a professional engineer, Mr. Reynes has owned and operated his own electrical engineering business. He has worked as an engineering consultant for several general contractors and electrical contractors, but he has not been in a responsible management position with an electrical contractor since coming to the United States, nor has he pulled any building permits for electrical construction in the United States. However, in working for electrical contractors, he has done such things as calculate the total number of man hours required for projects, calculate the total cost of supplies for projects, and supervised the actual construction of projects. In the operation of his own business Mr. Reynes has one full-time employee and two part-time employees. In the operation of his own business he has become familiar with such matters as preparation of payroll and the necessary deductions, the Internal Revenue Service requirements for businesses, worker's compensation insurance, and unemployment compensation insurance. An important part of the experience required by the applicable statute and rule is experience in the business activities aspect of electrical contracting. These activities include such things as payroll, insurance, bonding, worker's compensation, unemployment compensation, contract, and building laws.
Recommendation On the basis of all of the foregoing it is recommended that the Electrical Contractor's Licensing Board issue a Final Order concluding that Mr. Reynes is eligible to take the next electrical contractors' certification examination. DONE and ORDERED this 29th of November 1984, at Tallahassee, Florida. MICHAEL M. PARRISH Hearing Officer Division of Administrative Hearings The Oakland Building 2009 Apalachee Parkway Tallahassee, Florida 32399-1550 (904) 488-9675 FILED with the Clerk of the Division of Administrative Hearings this 29th day of November 1984. COPIES FURNISHED: Juan M. Reynes, 336 W. 16th Street Hialeah, Florida 33010 Arthur Wallberg, Esquire Assistant Attorney General Room 1601 The Capitol Tallahassee, Florida 323301 Allen R. Smith, Jr. Executive Director Florida Electrical Contractors' Licensing Board 130 N. Monroe Street Tallahassee, Florida 32301
The Issue Whether the Petitioner, Bert S. McLaughlin, qualifies for licensure as an unlimited electrical contractor in the state of Florida by endorsement pursuant to Section 489.511, Florida Statutes. Whether the Resolution adopted by the Florida Electrical Contractrors' Board (Board) on July 19, 1985 and readopted in substance on March 30, 1987 and May 15, 1987 estops the Board from denying the Petitioner an unlimited electrical contractor's license by endorsement pursuant to Section 489.511, Florida Statutes.
Findings Of Fact Upon consideration of the oral and documentary evidence adduced at the hearing, the following relevant facts are found: On July 19, 1985, the Florida Electrical Contractors' Licensing Board (Board) adopted a Resolution which provides in pertinent part as follows: WHEREAS, the Florida Electrical Contractors Licensing Board has diligently compared its licensing standards with those of the unlimited electrical contractors licensed by the North Carolina State Board of Examiners of Electrical Contractors, and, WHEREAS, the Florida Electrical Contractors Licensing Board has thoroughly reviewed the examinations that North Carolina candidates for unlimited licensure must pass and found them substantially similar to or equivalent to, the Florida licensure examination, now, THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED, that the Florida Electrical Contractors Licensing Board will, upon receipt of a properly completed application from a properly licensed unlimited North Carolina electrical contractor who has obtained licensure by the North Carolina written exam, license by endorsement in accordance with Section 489.511(9), Florida Statutes NOTICE OF CANCELLATION, this Resolution may be rescinded upon 90 days notice to North Carolina, if it is determined by the Florida Electrical Contractors Licensing Board, that the licensing standards for unlimited electrical contractors in North Carolina are no longer comparable with the licensing standards of certified electrical contractors licensed pursuant to Chapter 489, Florida Statutes The above Resolution was readopted in substance by the Board on March 30, 1987 and Nay 15, 1987. The Board made a specific finding on May 15, 1987, when it readopted the Resolution, that the North Carolina examination for unlimited electrical contractors were "substantially similar to or equivalent to, the Florida licensure examination." The Board relied on that finding, without any further finding as to equivalency of the examinations, to grant licensure by endorsement from unlimited electrical contractors licensed in North Carolina who had successfully passed the North Carolina written unlimited electrical contractors examination up until August 31, 1988. In October, 1988, the issue of the equivalency of the Florida examinations and the North Carolina examinations was raised by the Board. In December, 1988, the Board was provided current and previous examination blueprints of the North Carolina examinations by Block and Associates, who prepared the North Carolina examinations. Upon review of the examination blueprints of the North Carolina examinations, the Board determined that the North Carolina examinations were not "substantially equivalent to" the Florida examinations. This finding was based mainly on the fact that North Carolina's examinations did not contain any portion on business which the Board considered essential. From the documents reviewed by the Board, the Board was unable to make a determination as to whether the business portion of the examination was included in the North Carolina examinations at the time of its finding of equivalency on May 15, 1987. However, the Board did determine apparently based on those documents, no later than its February 1, 1989, meeting, that at the time Petitioner took the North Carolina examination on September 23, 1988 it did not contain a business portion, and thereby was not "substantially equivalent to" the Florida examination. Petitioner took and passed the examination in North Carolina for unlimited electrical contractors on September 23, 1988. On November 28, 1988, Petitioner was granted a unlimited classification licence to practice electrical contracting in the state of North Carolina. Petitioner submitted an application to the Board on December 8, 1988, for licensure as an unlimited electrical contractor in the state of Florida by endorsement based on having passed the North Carolina examination, being licensed in the state of North Carolina as an unlimited electrical contractor and practicing electrical contracting in the state of North Carolina. On December 22, 1988, the state of North Carolina was notified by Paul H. Morgan, Jr., Chairman, Florida Electrical Contractors' Licensing Board that the 90 day cancellation provision of the Resolution was in effect and the "endorsement agreement" would be cancelled effective March 22, 1989. The Board did not officially authorize the letter by Mr. Morgan. The Board's official position was that the "endorsement agreement" was of no effect. Petitioner obtained a City of Winston-Salem, North Carolina, City Privilege License, as an electrical contractor with one helper on January 5, 1989. At its February 1, 1989, meeting the Board reviewed Petitioner's application for licensure by endorsemert, and by letter dated February 28, 1989, advised Petitioner of its denial based on the criteria for issuance of his North Carolina license not being equivalent to the criteria set forth for licensure in the state of Florida at the time Petitioner received his North Carolina license. At its March 15, 1989, meeting the Board again reviewed Petitioner's application, and by letter dated March 15, 1989, advised Petitioner of its decision to uphold its denial of his application of February 1, 1989 as set out in its letter of February 28, 1989. Although not specifically addressed in the letters dated February 28, 1989 and March 15, 1989, the criteria which caused the Board concerned was the lack of North Carolina's examination being "substantially equivalent to" the Florida examination, whether the Petitioner had been engaged in electrical contracting in North Carolina immediately preceding his application for licensure by endorsement in Florida and whether North Carolina required Petitioner to show certain financial responsibility standards prior to issuance of Petitioner's electrical contractor's license in North Carolina. In its letter of February 28, 1989 the Board advised Petitioner that although it had denied his application for licensure by endorsement, it had approved his application as one for licensure by examination. The Petitioner has presently elected not to take the Florida unlimited electrical contractors' examination or the examination for licensure as an alarm system contractor. Prior to taking and passing the North Carolina electrical contractor's examination, Petitioner had been engaged in all types of electrical contracting work, including fire alarm installation, in several counties in the state of Florida, and was licensed in several Florida counties as a county master electrical contractor but not as a state certified unlimited electrical contractor. Under the present law in Florida, county master electrical contractors, who are not state certified electrical contractors or licensed to practice alarm system contracting by the state of Florida, cannot practice alarm system contracting in the state of Florida. It was Petitioner's intent at the time of taking the North Carolina examination to open an electrical contractor's business with his brother in North Carolina. Petitioner's primary reason for taking the North Carolina examination was to further this business relationship with his brother in North Carolina.. However, secondary to obtaining the North Carolina license, was licensure by endorsement in Florida. While Petitioner was aware of Florida's "endorsement agreement" with North Carolina at the time he took the North Carolina examination, there was no evidence to show that the Petitioner relied on this "endorsement agreement" to his detriment. Subsequent to obtaining his North Carolina license, Petitioner's brother died, and the North Carolina business was put on the "back burner" so to speak. Two electrical permits for electrical work was "pulled" by Petitioner in the City of Winston-Salem, North Carolina on March 6, 1989 and with the work being inspected and approved on March 8, 1989. A third electrical permit was "pulled" by Petitioner for electrical work in the City of Winston-Salem, North Carolina on March 6, 1989 but there was no evidence to show that this work was completed by Petitioner. There was no evidence to show that the North Carolina electrical contractors' examination was "substantially equivalent to" the Florida electrical contractors' examination. In fact, the Petitioner stipulated at the beginning of the hearing that he was relying entirely on Florida's "endorsement agreement" with North Carolina.
Recommendation Based upon the foregoing Findings of Fact the Conclusions of Law, the evidence of record and the candor and demeanor of the witnesses, it is, therefore RECOMMENDED that the Board enter a final order denying Petitioner's application for licensure as a unlimited electrical contractor by endorsement. DONE AND ENTERED this 20th day of September, 1989, in Tallahassee, Leon County, Florida. WILLIAM R. CAVE Hearing Officer Division of Administrative Hearings The DeSoto Building 1230 Apalachee Parkway Tallahassee, Florida 32399-1550 (904) 488-9675 Filed with the Clerk of the Division of Administrative Hearings this 20th day of September, 1989. APPENDIX TO RECOMMENDED ORDER IN CASE NUMBER 89-2614 The following constitutes my specific rulings pursuant to Section 120.59(2), Florida Statutes, on the proposed findings of fact submitted by the parties in this case. Specific Rulings on Proposed Findings of Fact Submitted by Petitioner Each of the following proposed findings of fact are adopted in substance as modified in the Recommended Order. The number in parentheses is the Finding of Fact which so adopts the Petitioner's proposed finding of fact: 1(1); 2(2); 3(1); 5(3); 7-8(15); 9(6); 10(7,19); 11(16); 12(18); and 15(9). Proposed findings of fact 4 and 13 are unnecessary to the conclusion reached in the Recommended Order. Proposed findings of fact 14 is rejected as not being supported by substantial competent evidence in the record. See Findings of Fact 11 and 13. Letter referred to the equivalency of criteria. Proposed findings of fact 16 and 18 are rejected as not being supported by substantial competent evidence in the record. See Findings of Fact 4 and 6. Proposed finding of fact 6 is more correctly considered as a Conclusion of Law. Although proposed finding of fact 17 is a restatement of Neely's testimony it is rejected as not being supported by substantial competent evidence in the record. See Proposed Finding of Fact 9. Specific Rulings on Proposed Findings of Fact Submitted by Respondent Each of the following proposed findings of fact are adopted in substance as modified in the Recommended Order. The number in parentheses is the Finding of Fact which so adopts the Respondent's proposed finding of fact: 1(1); 2(2); 4(4); 5(6,16); 6(8); 7(10); 8(19); 9(11); 10(12) and 11(12). Proposed finding of fact 3 is more correctly described as a Conclusion of Law. COPIES FURNISHED: Steven Meisel, Esquire 5425 St. Augustine Road Jacksonville, Florida 32207 Clark R. Jennings, Esquire Assistant Attorney General Department of Legal Affairs Suite 1603 - The Capitol Tallahassee, Florida 32399-1050 Ms. Pat Ard Executive Director Florida Board of Electrical Contractors 1940 North Monroe Street Tallahassee, Florida 32399-0792
Findings Of Fact Johnson Controls, Inc., Petitioner, is a foreign corporation licensed to do business in Florida. It maintains offices in Jacksonville, Tampa, and Miami, employs sixty to eighty employees in this state and conducts business throughout Florida. It holds licenses in twenty-three separate Florida counties and municipalities. Petitioner is a multi-million dollar corporation licensed to do business in forty-nine of the fifty states. It engages in the business of manufacturing electrical components and constructing, installing, and servicing electrical control systems and other phases of electrical contracting work. On November 16, 1978, Petitioner filed with the Florida Electrical Contractors' Licensing Board (Board or Respondent) its application for licensure naming Wilfred Allen Infinger as qualifying agent. Winfred Allen Infinger holds a B.E. degree in technology and construction and a journeyman's electrician license in Pinellas County. He has experience in all phases of electrical contracting work and is fully qualified to serve as qualifying agent of Johnson Controls. On December 5, 1978, the Board returned the application requesting additional information relating to Johnson Control's financial statement and credit standing. On June 29, 1979, Johnson Controls refiled its application including additional financial information. On March 14, 1979, the Board advised Petitioners that the application would be reviewed by the application committee, thereby acknowledging receipt of a complete application. By letter of 8 May 1978, the Board advised applicants that it found in the application insufficient evidence to qualify Johnson Controls to sit for the examination because: Your application failed to meet the qualifications as that of a Florida licensed electrical contractor (468.181(5)) whose services are unlimited in the Electrical Field. The review of your application reflects that Johnson Controls, Inc. is a specialty contractor and presently Florida Statutes, Chapter 468, Part VII does not provide for a licensure of specialty contractors. Thereafter this petition and the petition in Case 79-1145R were filed. Johnson Controls' primary interest in the electrical contracting field involves wiring for temperature and humidity controls, communications and protective systems, and maintenance and repair of these systems. During the period from December 1976 to September 1978, included in Petitioner's application showing type of work performed, twenty-six contracts were listed varying from $5,000 to $300,000 in which Johnson Controls was subcontractor. Although not apparent on the face of the application, most of these subcontracts involved the installation of temperature control equipment and various low-voltage control equipment for life safety systems such as fire alarms and smoke detectors, security, and energy consumption. In the construction and installation of control systems, Johnson Controls performs design work, wires control systems by connecting the various components, installs sensors, motors, conduit, raceways, panels, switches, circuit breakers and power wiring. Although Johnson Controls normally works on voltage no higher than the 440 volt range, it has performed work on high voltage systems in excess of 13,000 volts. In addition, it has wired entire buildings, both industrial and residential, including phase balancing of the circuits. Control wiring is generally considered more complicated, therefore requiring a higher degree of skill, than most residential wiring. Commencing in 1973, Johnson Controls has filed five applications for licensure, including the present application, and all have been denied by the Board. Although the Board denied Johnson Controls' latest application on the grounds that the work it performs was not "unlimited", at the same time the applications of Brown and Root, Inc. and Bechtel Power Corporation were approved. Both of the latter companies are large international contractors whose only work in Florida involves electrical power plant installations. Holding local licenses allows Petitioners to enter into any electrical contract for the area in which licensed. However, if Petitioner is called upon to bid on work in an area in which it is not licensed, it must rely upon a local electrical contractor to perform the work. If the applied for license was granted, Petitioner would be able to bid and work statewide and could also cease paying annual renewal fees for the twenty-three local licenses it now holds. Johnson Controls is financially capable of performing unlimited services in the electrical field. Winfred A. Infinger is qualified by training and experience to serve as qualifying agent for a Florida electrical contractor.
