Monthly Report for:

Oklahoma Alarm & Locksmith Advisory Board meeting for August 5th, 2009

 

Oklahoma Alarm & Locksmith Advisory Board met at 9 AM Wednesday August 5th, 2009

in room #809 of the Oklahoma Department of Health.

Rick Brown called the meeting to order at 9:03 AM.  Then asked for approval of last months

minutes, and they were approved.

The Board moved right into the review of applicants for licenses .

Several applicants were approved when Steve York voiced his concern about what he called

dirty applications.  He was wondering why the application were not cleaned up more before

they were brought to the Board for review?

What is considered a dirty application : ( applications that have had multiple categories marked

on their applications, but then have dropped them before or after testing & review)  There was

a lengthy discussion by the Board about this, and Matt Schue indicated they would work on

cleaning the applications up a little better before presenting them to the Board for review.

The Board went on to consider approval of the rest of the applications.  Ron Edwards brought up

some concerns about one of the companies who were up for approval.  He had evidence for

Matt Schue of this company doing work before their license was issued to them. Matt said that it

would be looked into after the meeting.

The Board moved to item #4 on the agenda. This was concerning possible action on Tulsa's

ordinance changes.  Matt Schue stated he had receive several messages from a representative of

Tulsa that morning.

Message #1 : Stated that the City of Tulsa was going to drop the ordinance.

Message #2 : Tulsa requested recommendations from the Board on how they were in violation of the State Law?

After Matt was finished, He asked Steve Lutz to address the Board on the matter.

At that time Matt & Steve went over the Statues & Laws with the Board.  Steve York made a motion

that this matter be sent to the Legal Department to correct the problem.

Then Rick Brown moved to new issues. There were none, so he moved to old issues.

There were about 20 people in the audience.  Many were there concerning the Tulsa issue.

Matt Schue asked a gentleman in the audience to come forward and to speak to the Board on his item

of concern.  Mr. Higgenbottom came to the front of the room and addressed  the Board directly. He is a

computer networker.  He wanted to know why he was not allowed to touch CCTV cameras that were hooked

to his network without a CCTV license?  He voiced his concerns about this and did not feel that this was fair or

right!  He also stated to the Board there were several other industries exempted from the law (tow truck drivers,

lumber yards ,and electricians) , and he wanted to know why he could not be exempted from the law also?

(He claimed he had but one customer requiring this service, but I do not think the board really believed him

on that point.)

Rick Brown & Matt Schue both told him, if he touched the DVR or Cameras, he would have to get a license.

He left the room VERY UNHAPPY!

Point of concern here!! It was found out that Mr. Higgenbottom was a former OK State Legislator.  There could

be some major problems from him on this, So it will be watched very closely!

It is advised, if you have friends in the Legislator, to advise them it would not be fair to everyone else in the

State to allow this man to be exempt from the State Law!!  If he is going to do the work, He needs to get a

license like everyone else!

After Mr. Higgenbottom departed the room. Drake McDonald suggested to the Board that all out of State

Companies submit a letter to the State in which it says that they are NOT bidding or doing any jobs in our

State before they are licensed. This is mainly concerning alarm companies.

Here is what was in the letter that Drake McDonald submitted to the Board.

1. Applications received before the 10th of the month will be reviewed by the State and presented to the

Committee the following month for consideration.

2. Once the Committee accepts the candidate's application during the regular meeting they must take a test

on the Alarm Licensing Act and sign the affidavit stating compliance.

3. With the passing of the exam the Committee will perform the final review or vote and the candidate

appearance and license will be in 30 days.

Of course if they choose not to appear or miss the meeting their application should be put on hold until

they meet our requirements. Or if they refuse to appear at all then their application will be rejected and

they would not be able to re-apply for 6 or 12 months.

Any violators of the Act would result in a mandatory wait period before re-applying.

If any more than 2 violations occur within 12 to 18 months then they will not be able to re-apply at all or ever,

or a 3 year wait period, maybe more, depending on the severity of the violation.

NOTE THESE ARE JUST THE SUGGESTIONS THAT WERE SUBMITTED. THEY ARE NOT PART OF OR LAWS OR RULES!!

 

Next the Board moved to Discussion from the general public.

Mr. Holder senior asked the board about getting some State funding for Alarm schooling. Steve York addressed this.

He said that several of the colleges have held these classes, but have not been able to get enough students

interested in the classes to hold them.

There was a lot of discussion about the education issue by the public and the Board.

A question was asked by someone in the room about what is done when a complaint is filled with the State?

Matt Schue spoke up on this and explained what steps to take to file a complaint. And what is done after a

complaint is filed.

Charles asked for a list of remote video trial location.

Rick brown moved for adjournment.

The next meeting will be on Sept. 2, 2009 in room 806 of the OSDH.

The meeting ended at 11:50 am.

 

 Dusty Brummitt

Dusty's Lock & Key LLC