Salem City Council hears Sedore?s side of the story

BY BROOKS TAYLOR

Mt. Pleasant News

SALEM ? Tony Sedore, owner of Sedore Inc., the city?s sanitation contract-holder, told the Salem City Council Tuesday that he plans to be in business for a long time.

The city?s contract with Sedore has come under increased scrutiny recently as Sedore faces court action for alleged violations. Sedore has been in trouble with the Iowa Department of Natural Resources (DNR) since 2014.

Numerous complaints have been filed against the firm, according to the DNR website. Some of the violations listed in a DNR administrative order include open burning of construction and demolition waste, open dumping of waste, failure to comply with numerous requirements of the transfer station permit and improper handling of shingles.

The DNR and Sedore entered into a consent order last year. However, there have been allegations that Sedore has continued to violate the consent order and continued violations would lead to revocation of Sedore?s permits for the operation of sanitary disposal permits. DNR has turned the matter over to the Iowa Attorney General?s office for prosecution.

During the council?s October meeting, the council approved withholding payment to Sedore until the end of the month and also wanted to explore whether the city could void its contract with Sedore.

Sedore appeared before the council Tuesday to answer questions. The council said it heard that Sedore was having an auction.

He acknowledged he is having an auction, ?but it is not for my business. I just added two new trucks and have advertising out for another driver. I know rumors are flying, and I talked to a lawyer about it.

?We are waiting to go on trial, but the trial date has not been set,? he added.

Mayor Dan Patterson asked Sedore if he will be out of business if he loses the court case.

?Those are fines against me, not the business,? he contended. ?We had a brush fire and two bonfires.?

Council members also had a discussion with Dillon Haynes who wants to build a carport and fence. Haynes and the city have been haggling for over a year regarding what the city perceives as nuisance violations on Haynes? property.

Haynes said his carport, which was approved, will have siding on both sides and a roof. ?I want to store things in it,? he told the council.

Councilwoman Mary Hoyer told Haynes the carport must be totally enclosed to comply with city code.

Several other council members thought by putting sides and a roof on the carport, Haynes was doing enough. ?He?s trying to clean it up,? stated Councilman Jeremy Hunold. ?In my opinion, his place isn?t that bad to begin with and now he wants to make it cleaner.?

Councilman Bruce Eltrich agreed. ?He is building a fence which will cut off some of the view. I have confidence in him.?

?The whole reason I am building a carport is to make it nice,? Haynes said. He plans to build a carport, which would be 15 feet long and 50 feet wide.

Hoyer was obviously disappointed the council was not following city ordinances. ?The ordinance says it has to be totally enclosed, I didn?t make this up.?

The council opened bids and sold a city truck no longer needed. Seven bids were received, ranging from $1,306 to $4,252. Dean Fleming, who submitted the highest bid, is the new owner of the truck.

Council members also hosted a public hearing on a zoning variance for 306-310 E. Liberty St., which would allow a greenhouse to be built. The board of adjustment approved the variance and the council, not hearing or receiving any written objections, approved the variance. A stipulation attached to the variance is that if the property is sold, the property would return to its original residential zoning.

In other agenda items, the council:

? Approved the purchase of a new Christmas tree and ornaments for the community center.

? Was told that the sinks in the restrooms in the community center will be adjusted to meet the Americans with Disabilities Act (allowing wheelchair-bound people to use the sinks).

? Approved the city?s annual financial report.

? Accepted a $730.92 quote from Ace Electric Inc., for generator maintenance.

? Was informed that the city office will be closed Thursday, Nov. 24, for Thanksgiving, and Tuesday, Nov. 29, for budget training.

Salem?s city council meets again in regular session Tuesday, Dec. 6, at 5:30 p.m., in the community center.