Have to laugh, the city only follows it’s own rules when they are embarrassed into it.
The city is taking steps to hide its dumpsters after a business owner complained he was fined for not having his enclosed.
Darin McDonnel runs the Gas Stop on East 10th Street near Interstate 229. He brought his concerns to the City Council after he received fines adding up to $600 for not having his dumpster behind a screened fence.
He came to the council with a list of dumpsters on city-owned property that were out in the open: at City Hall, Sioux Falls Stadium, where the Canaries play, and several parks.
His presentation got snickers from Councilor Kermit Staggers, and Mayor Mike Huether promised he’d follow up on it.
Here is Darin pointing out the city’s hypocrisy;
[youtube]https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nHnCdK0ACJQ[/youtube]
Hilarious! Sometimes, I miss living in Sioux Falls.
What is even more funny about the story is that Darin is a city employee.
This originated last year with a friend of mine. His business, which is on 41st St, had a dumpster without a fence for over 30 years. Suddenly, he had a summons. I bet the photos this guy used came from him, as he had the full list of city property that failed the code. In fact, when he fought it he even had photos of 3 businesses owned by members of the appeal court (or whatever it’s called) that had unfenced dumpsters. He still lost.
Single biggest issue with “small” local government – failure to follow own rules.
A group may be forming to press the city on their illegal code enforcement practices. Scott, there are too many of these stories out in the Sioux Falls community.
If anyone wishes to share, we are ready to help.
Sign me up Bruce. I’ll be happy to make sure mmm spends quality time behind bars. Lol
There are so many of us persecuted by code enforcement. In most cases there’s not a violation because the issue has not been cited within the past 7 years (statute of limitations) or it’s not addressed in ordinances. Code enforcement will not accept these facts and sets you up for a hearing you always lose.
Never sign a citation. Never pay a fine. Either is an admission of guilt. Even if it’s a violation, ignore them. Ordinances do not state they can take you to court and they have no lien or action authority without the courts.
They’ll stomp around, issue double jeopardy citations, and post you on the citations website. It’s all very entertaining. Be sure they post you on the city citations Web site so we’ll find you and include you in the federal civil rights lawsuit.
Someday, when the state forces city government to return to democracy, there will be a city attorney with a legal background and planning/zoning has leaders who know something about land law.
Jeez, they’re gonna build a bunch of little houses for the trash dumpsters while the homeless are freezing to death next to City Hall. Enjoy your vanity fences, everybody.