12/03/2013
11/28/2013
RE: Order of correction/cival penalty KC Trailer Service & Supply
Letter Received Nov. 23rd 2013 Penalty assessed in the amount of 630.00 plus 460.00 per day if campers have not vacated in 5 days.
To Whom It may concern,
As a long time established business in Eugene and In an act of humanitarian aid, given the immense crime in the area, we have allowed campers to do night watch over customers trailers as well as area businesses. We at KC Trailer for years have allowed the homeless to stay in our lot (without cost) with the understanding of strict rules and a co operative spirit and has been of mutual benefit.
However, the city of Eugene has been unmerciful in harassing attempts for doing so, and now a fine...on false charges of a complaint of persons of questionable charter: Here is just a partical list of past enforcement by the city of Eugene.
-We have had customers RV's on our lot that were here for repair yet the city of Eugene has demanded to allow inspection inside them...
-We have had the city of Eugene stating we have dumped waste water in the city ditches (some 150 feet away) and then latter state it was a malicious and a unfounded complaint.
-Taking unauthorized pictures of crazy things like a RV hot water heater being replaced and stating it was tainted water being drained in the parking area.
-We have had city employees take pictures of RV's being serviced -stating "the tank don't have a cap on it-Yet was a brand new tank not even hooked up". As well as a lic. camper thru Saint Vincent De Paul's program, taking pictures of a tank not capped stating "possible leakage" but the camper did not even use the tank and a porta potty was used as provided by the program and is still on our lot.
-Talking with the property owner...about us before even consulting us.
-One inspector coming into the store in June of this year (KC Trailer) during business hours raising his voice with customers present "I have serious violations against this business that could shut it down". (have a letter from the employee as a witness-The customers upset by such unprofessional action on the part of the city). The complaint was unfounded and latter the City of Eugene employee stated it was not that big of deal and stated "you have tried to work with us-lets put this to bed".
-We have never been advised of exact city codes we are alleged to have violated and everything asked of us we complied to, no matter how ridiculous or trivial.
-The new complaint form the City of Eugene (of which we are now fined and told to remove all campers within a few days-Extremly Inhumane) states:
-We have had too many campers: We have never had more than 3 on our lot as that is what is what we understand is permitted. The confusion seems to be in unjustly associating our business (something done numerous times) with other surrounding business.
-Charging Rent: We do not charge for rent! (The city has interviewed the campers numerous time as well as St. Vincent De Paul Rep. (Keith) as well as the person who complained in the past, who have stated no rent charged has been charged them and think this is a horrible charge in having them leave our lot affecting the innocent)
The complain to the city of Eugene is a from a disgruntled couple who signed a contract to rent my own personal Motor Home off lot, but when it was found they were not taking care of the unit (trashing it) and had immense amount of mail for several family members (who we have never even seen) sent to the business without consent and even p***o magazines etc... We ended the association and so had no dealings with them at all during the time of the complaint. They did not pay for camping at KC Trailer!
-We have signed documentation for the RV Rental Off lot as well as numerous collection agency's attempting to reach them i.e. Portfolio Recovery, HSBC Bank, Verizon Wireless, Century link etc. As well are aware that the City of Eugene Police have a warrant for their arrest. And this supposed to be "the credible witness the city has" that they are basing a fine...on?
-Inadequate sanitary facility-Saint Vincent De Paul has provided 2 Porta Pottys from Above all Sanitation (have pictures) and some campers have used a sanitary service to dump the tanks on their RV's as each RV has its own holding tanks. Such is easy to prove by calling the companies.
-Inadequate garbage disposal: We have had two huge garbage/recycle bins that have been here long before we even owned the business and collected regularly from Sani Pac garbage services! And such was used by the former campers.
When i asked for the appeals form was told in "you will get nowhere with this, and now we want names of each camper to talk with them NOW (with an attempt to dig up anything further), and if nec. will bring the police with us..." and latter to cover it stating it was to make sure they are alright. Removing them during the coldest time of the year, give them only a couple of days to move (at our expense as many didn't have funds to do so)...(We feel is against the law really as they do have some rights and even told by police when removing one "they have squatters rights as any tenant", yet the city trys to cover allowing us to believe they care (have email).
Also, the city official Rachelle Nicholas, wrote: "As I shared during our conversation the hearing’s official will not rule on whether or not a decision was fair or not, only that the code was applied correctly in this situation".
All that we have tried to do for years is: Establish a cooperative effort to help the homeless in our community, allowing them to stay in the RV they own (with strict rules) and provide night security for the business.
We have had immense support of neighboring business as they too have benefited from the night security...(letters available).
We have done nothing wrong, and this charge is unjust. We should not be penalized for our efforts, as well we should allowed to continue with offering of this service. We have desired to appeal, but with the threats, feel it will get us nowhere.
Damages thus far as a result of city actions and no overnight security of homeless campers (a win/win situation):
1. Our mail is being stolen
2. One of my personal motor homes has had parts stolen off it
3. A drastic drop in business that we expect to continue as customers don't favor not having a secure lot
KC Trailer Service
Incl. Letters from area business owners, employes etc.
