City code enforcement

[Williamalexx]

Kent Smoll On 8/20/2008 you were quoted

AoO - I think if you have a law it should be enforced, changed or repealed. With that being said, we need to clean up what we have at all levels. This is not only concerning immigration but all areas."

With that being said Why are we not enforcing the licensing requirements for heating and air contractors? Licenses were required by Code starting January 1, 1988. Richard Brown allowed an extra year after only two contractors were able to comply. Now an additional 20 years grace period has been allowed up to 2008, without changing the code requirement. In 2008 you allowed another year for contractors to come into compliance(TOTAL GRACE PERIOD WITHOUT "ENFORCING, CHANGING OR REPEALING' THE CODE 22 YEARS)
Today the "LICENSING REQUIREMENTS REMAIN WORD FOR WORD LETTER FOR LETTER IDENTICAL TO THE JANUARY 1, 1988 REQUIREMENT,
A RECENT LIST OF LICENSED CONTRACTORS OBTAINED FROM THE CITY OF DODGE THROUGH A KORA REQUEST MAKES IT APPEAR THAT LESS THEN ONE IN TEN (1/10) OF THE CONTRACTORS DOING HEATING AND AIR CONDITIONING WORK ARE IN COMPLIANCE.
Has the City commission formally lengthened the 23 year grace period further?
If not, what grounds, reason or loophole is the city using to for not enforcing the licensing requirement as written?
FOR GODS SAKE, ENFORCE IT!, CHANGE IT!, OR REPEAL IT...

I would welcome any feedback on this people.

[lowflight]

It is unfortunate that you still are having trouble with this. BUT do you really think this corrupt governing body will change anything? I think not. They do dicuss it, then either table it or just go with the norm regardless what the people who "elected" them want. The city commission should do (or at least seriously consider) what the MAJORITY want. But as you well know that will never happen.

[Williamalexx]

I am not having "trouble", the new code enforcement staff minus Vickie has been great to work with. But I want all to know when the city adopted new code several veteran contractors stepped foreword to suggest ways to make the situation better but the city officials were too good to listen or even discuss it. The resulting code is in many ways, much worse than the one it replaced. I feel for the code enforcement staff, as the city management staff has them in a catch 22. If they enforce the code as written they will shut down most all of the HVAC workforce. If they do not enforce the code as written, then they are not fulfilling there job description and are guilty of participating in selective enforcement. As time goes by I am still regularly approached by contractors from every field as well as home and business owners who want to share there own past experiences of inconsistent and misapplied code as though I can help. I welcome the information but can not help but share these peoples frustration and human nature is to try to understand why the city does not work with the people to make things better. Do you suppose they make medical decisions without consulting a doctor? Do they make legal decisions without consulting there lawyer? Why did they proceed without having a complete understanding of what they were doing?
Again this is no longer the code enforcement personnel’s fault things are the way they are, it is the city managements.

[U4IASTRM]

Yup, Vickie is awesome to work with. Had a question about vehicles blocking the view of cross traffic on E Ash and Ave A. If the police did nothing about it(pfft! Go figure) then to tell her and she will start spamming the department heads.

[Williamalexx]

I would enjoy a post just on Vickie. However there is no need she does a fine job of running her own negative publicity campaign. Go Vickie!

[Williamalexx]

Does anybody know if Rhonda is still at the college? She was a awsome public servant. She met with me several times about code issues and worked with our neighborhood to keep everyone happy. Never did she bark out orders, make threats, and make the issue personal. She just addressed the need to make changes and worked with you on the timeframe. She is missed! Wish they had someone of her class to take her place.

[teabagged]

All laws should be reviewed on a regular basis. If they are found to be unused, unenforceable, unconstitutional, or just plain antiquated, they should be repealed or amended. However I do not believe that will happen here in Dodge City anytime soon. I know how something that appears to be insignificant to people who are not affected can fester in the people that are affected. Keep pushing your point. You can not be ignored forever (one would hope anyway).

[357 mag]

Does anybody know if Rhonda is still at the college? She was a awsome public servant. She met with me several times about code issues and worked with our neighborhood to keep everyone happy. Never did she bark out orders, make threats, and make the issue personal. She just addressed the need to make changes and worked with you on the timeframe. She is missed! Wish they had someone of her class to take her place.

Yes Rhonda still works at the college. Last time I talked to her she was loving it out there! She's an awesome lady!

[Taco Dog]

I agree with you - Rhonda and Vickie are both great people!

[Williamalexx]

I beg to differ.Vickie is nothing like Rhonda. Ill make a note however first time I had a good comment about Vickie in 20 years.