Code Enforcement

Code Enforcement in Sioux Falls fixed? BAHAHAHAHAHA!

broken sidewalk

Looks like another code enforcement violation, send in the clowns

I find it quite ironic that while Dan Daily is awaiting his verdict in his lawsuit against the city on code enforcement that Mike Cooper comes in front of the city council and says that code enforcement is improving. Give me a f’ing break;

Those unresolved citations then must go through the city attorney’s office, which files the claims in court. Last year, the office filed 41 cases involving 177 citations.

“We are making progress with this new process, but as you can see there are still cases that take time to go through the citation collection,” Cooper said.

Takes time? You ain’t a kidding. When you don’t have constitutional rights on your side, it probably takes a lot of time. It’s time for the city and the court system to stop horsing around and deliver a verdict in the Daily case and put this clusterf’ck code enforcement system to rest, once and for all. What are you waiting for Caldwell? The code enforcement fairy to deliver the verdict? It is pretty obvious who has won this case. What judge takes over 3 months to deliver a verdict in a clearly cut and dry case? Seriously?!

Justice. What is that?

It’s been over 75 days, where is the verdict in the Daily vs. City of SF case?

ist2_5922723-justice-scale

Testimony ended on September 4, 2009 in this case, so why is it taking so long for Judge Caldwell to give her opinion? Good question. It almost makes you wonder if she is dragging her feet to see if the city pulls a rabbit out of their hat. I don’t know, I am not a lawyer, but it sure seems suspicious to me. Any lawyers want to weigh in? Is this a long time to wait for a verdict?

BTW, if you are not familiar with the case, SF citizen Dan Daily is contesting unfair code enforcement, it took over 2 years just to get his case heard. The city has probably spent over $100,000 in legal fees fighting a $200 fine.

“Sioux Falls’ one liner city ordinances have turned the city into a Gestapo.”

hammerzeit

Thank Gawd I wasn’t drinking anything when I heard a gentleman say that at the planning commission meeting. I would have shot it through my nose. I’m also surprised he wasn’t gaveled after the comment.

I have been listening to the Planning Commission meetings lately, they are usually long and boring. But the public testimonies are usually pretty heated. People in Sioux Falls are pretty passionate about their property and property rights.

In last night’s meeting the commission was debating whether or not to recommend approval to the council of a 180 day stay ordinance involving campgrounds. No matter where you stand on the issue (not sure what side I would take) it is obvious from public testimony the way the ordinance is written it is extremely flawed on many fronts and one commission member even suggested that a task force looks at it before approval. The Commission approved it anyway (tie vote, chair broke tie) to move onto the council (which will have to debate it also and I think it takes a 2/3rds vote to pass).

What made this public testimony even better was when local businessman Duane Spader who owns a campground showed up to chew ass. He basically said (besides the city acting like the Gestapo and dictators) that the way the city’s ‘one-liner’ ordinances are written it gives them wiggle room to do whatever they want to, to a suspected code violator.

It was beautiful, he handed the city their bullcrap city ordinance mess to them on a platter and basically said the system is broken and needs to be fixed. For Christ’s sakes alive, how many lawsuits and business and property owners have to tell the city that Home Rule and the city ordinance charter is broken before they fix it?

The theatrics were pretty funny. Mr. Spader didn’t hold back, at one point even accusing the commission members of not understanding the repercussions of their decisions (sounds more like the City Council and Mayor to me). They tried to pull the 5 minute rule on him (like Northside Davey did with me) but Mr. Spader was having no part of it and said when he’s done, he’s done. They gave him a time extention.

If you have the free time, it is worth at least listening too. I can’t wait to see his performance before the council. He has already stated that Staggers is the only councilor that stands with him.

Click on the planning commission meeting dated 5/06/09 and Fast Forward to about 1:16 hour (That’s when Spader rocks out). You might want to start at about 1:00 to see the full testimony about the ordinance change .

Councilor Brown wants to spend $250,000 of your tax money so you can dial 4 less numbers

rotary-phone

Hey, Vernon, rotary phones went out in the 80’s.

The city wants to make it easier to turn in your neighbors. Are we changing the city’s motto to, “The city of neighborly hate”? or “If you have a neighbor, he’s probably a criminal”

Sioux Falls officials, reacting to City Council criticisms, say they are making it easier for residents to file code enforcement complaints against other residents or businesses.

Because before code enforcement started 6 years ago, our city was in shambles! Shambles I say! Shambles!

In response, the city is marketing its general information phone number – 367-8000 – as the number to address code violations. The city has contracted with the HelpLine Center to answer those calls, and operators there will be trained to get complaints to the appropriate departments for investigation.

Because no one that works for the city is qualified to answer a phone and talk to citizens? And we wonder why we may be spending $34 million next year for “Professional Services”.

At some point, the system might even be set up to handle calls 24 hours a day, seven day a week. Officials hope to have a new Web site up in May, which will provide examples of violations of city code and access to file an electronic complaint.

Because we won’t be happy until we turn our city into a police state! This is a crock of shit. Now we are training residents on code enforcement? This is getting out of control. Who the F’ck is on a power trip here? This crap has got to end.

Councilor Vernon Brown, a longtime critic of the city’s handling of code enforcement complaints, told Director of Health Judy Buseman that private companies would go out of business if they treated people as the city does.

Can we fire all of you? Point me in the right direction. Let’s get this party started!

Rather than use a seven-digit phone number for complaints, Brown said he thinks the city should use a 311 phone number. It would be easier for people to remember, but cost $250,000.

Vernon thinks spending $8,000 to experiment with snowgates is a “Waste of Money” because “They don’t work.” But spending a cool 1/4 million on a phone number is well worth it. Go figure. Isn’t it ironic that a guy who works for a telecommunications company wants to spend that much money on a specialized number? Gee, I wonder what company in Sioux Falls is qualifed to handle that kind of contract? (Cough, Cough, SDN communications, Cough, Cough, Time Killers, Cough). I guess it’s time to pay back your Telecommunications PAC money you received during your last campaign, huh Vernon? Talk about conflict of interest!