NCICLB Second Quarter 2020 Newsletter

North Carolina Irrigation Contractors' Licensing Board

Second Quarter 2020 Newsletter

P.O. Box 41421 • Raleigh, NC 27629 • info@nciclb.org • www.nciclb.org

Due to the COVID-19 outbreak the Board office remains closed to the public. Staff members can be contacted during regular office hours at (919) 872-2229 or by email at info@nciclb.org. Board staff will continue to process renewals, applications and other related licensing paperwork. The Board will continue to provide updates on their website at www.nciclb.org and through email.

In This Issue

Outreach Program
2021 License Renewal
Rule of the Month
Disciplinary Actions
Enforcement Statistics
2020 Calendar
Board and Staff Members

Contact the Board for Free Posters (large and small)

Outreach Program

Remember, it is up to you as a licensed professional to do all that you can to educate prospective customers on the value of hiring a licensed irrigation contractor.

Do you have a website, and if so, does it say in LARGE LETTERS that you are licensed and is your license number posted?
Is your license number at the top of your website just under the company name or is it at the bottom of the page?
Does your website display your seal?
Does your website explain the benefits of hiring a licensed professional as opposed to someone that is unlicensed? You may want to attach the Board’s “Why Hire” flyer to your website or a link directly to the NCICLB website.
Do you advertise on other sites? If so are you using these same strategies?
Do you provide the Board’s “WHY HIRE” flyer to potential customers when giving a bid? What about current customers?
Does any of your advertising explain that because you are licensed you are required to have a Surety Bond and how that Bond protects the customer?
Does your advertising explain that you are (normally) required to earn continuing education?

2021 License Renewal

The Board is surprised and delighted by the number of people that have already renewed for 2021. Just a few reminders:

Don't forget to renew your corporate license if you have both an individual license and a corporate license.
Don't forget to submit continuing education credits that you have already earned or will earn in 2020. Although continuing education is not required for the 2021 renewal, those hours will be carried over and put towards the 2022 renewal.

Click here for some helpful reminders to get you through the 2021 renewal with ease.

(Please note that many of the "helpful reminders" deal with continuing education. The reminders are still relevant if you have taken continuing education in 2020 and want them to roll over for the 2021 renewal.)

Visit www.nciclb.org for step by step online renewal instructions.

Rule of the Month

21 NCAC 23 .0301 IRRIGATION RECORD DRAWING

(a) All irrigation record drawings shall:

(1) be drawn to portray the site;

(2) be legible and reproducible;

(3) include the surrounding development (e.g. building edges, walks, walls,

roads), irrigated areas, turf areas, and planted areas; and

(4) show the sprinkler system, microirrigation system, or both as installed and

include the location of:

(a) emergency shut-off valve(s);

(b) water source(s);

(d) all types of valves;

(e) all wire splices;

(f) all wire paths;

(g) controllers;

(h) all sensors;

(i) all grounding location(s) and type(s);

(j) all pumps;

(k) all filters;

(l) all quick couplers or any other water connection points; and

(m) all main line piping.

(b) All manual and automatic valve locations shall be shown with distances to permanent reference points so that they may be located in the field. Permanent reference points are buildings, drainage inlets, sidewalks, curbs, light poles, and other permanent, immovable objects.

History Note: Authority G.S. 89G-5(15); Eff. July 1, 2011; Pursuant to G.S. 150B-21.3A, rule is necessary without substantive public interest Eff. September 22, 2014; Amended Eff. November 1, 2016.

Disciplinary Actions

The Board is required by law to investigate every complaint received. If the findings of the investigation indicate that a violation of the laws and/or rules enforced by the Board have occurred, a number of disciplinary actions are available to the Board. Following is a list of actions for the first quarter of 2020.

Advisory Letters

Upon completion of an investigation, an Advisory Letter can be issued to a licensed or unlicensed individual if a violation is minor or guilt cannot be determined.

Daniel Britt - Rocky Mt. NC

Sam Davis - Raleigh, NC

Mike D. Fling - Fort Mill, SC

4/8/20

4/17/20

5/14/20

Advertising

Minimum Standards

Settlement Agreements

Upon completion of an investigation, a Settlement Agreement can be issued to a licensed or an unlicensed individual where it is determined through an investigation that a violation has occurred. The Settlement Agreement is made between the Board and the Respondent and admits wrongdoing on the part of the Respondent. The agreement lays out the sanctions and remedies required which include fines predetermined by the Board, investigatory and attorney costs.

Macario Diaz - Shallotte, NC

Paul Lucas, Jr. - Indian Trail, NC

5/13/20

6/17/20

Unlicensed Practice

Minimum Standards

Hearings

If a Respondent does not agree to a Settlement, a Notice of Hearing shall be issued. A Hearing can be scheduled in order for both sides to have the opportunity to present evidence and argue their case.

There are no hearings to report.

Enforcement Statistics

14 Complaints since 1/1/20

4 Minimum Standard Complaints

5 Unlicensed Practice Complaints

5 Advertising Complaints

13 Complaints closed since 1/1/20

3 Administratively Closed

6 Insufficient Evidence

4 Closed through Settlement

1 Invalid Complaint

Marketing Tool for Licensees

Print this flyer,

WHY HIRE A LICENSED IRRIGATION CONTRACTOR and present it to your prospective customers.

CALENDAR

JULY

July 4 Office Closed - Independence Day

July 10 Licensing Exam

July 29 Continuing Ed Advisory Council Meeting

AUGUST

August 19 Board Meeting

August 26 Continuing Ed Advisory Council Meeting

SEPTEMBER

September 7 Office Closed -Labor Day

September 9 Administrative Hearing

September 30 Continuing Ed Advisory Council Meeting

OCTOBER

October 9 Licensing Exam

October 28 Continuing Ed Advisory Council Meeting

NOVEMBER

November 18 Board Meeting

November 20 Continuing Ed Advisory Council Meeting

November 26-27 Office Closed - Thanksgiving

DECEMBER

December 9 Administrative Hearing

December 16 Continuing Ed Advisory Council Meeting

December 23-25 Office Closed - Christmas

Board Members

Steve Hill

Board Chair

Raleigh

Charlie Nieman

Vice Chair

Jarvisburg

Jeff Edwards

Treasurer

Youngsville

Garry Grabow

Secretary

Apex

Brandon Gurley

Member

Charlotte

John Ross

Member

Flat Rock

Charles Hughes

Member

LaGrange

Tracy McDonald

Member

Cary

J'Nell Bryson

Public Member

Charlotte