Even before the first car was soaped, city officials warned a Lawrence homeless shelter it shouldn't hold a fundraising car wash.
But the warning Saturday went unheeded and officials eventually stepped in that afternoon to stop the car wash, later citing Lawrence Community Shelter for violating city ordinances meant to regulate runoff to the Kansas River.
"I know there are people who don't think this is a big deal, but it's important to realize that when you have a concrete parking lot that runs to a concrete street that runs to a concrete stormwater system - you're essentially dumping whatever it is you're doing in the river," Chad Voigt, stormwater engineer for the city, said.
Shelter director Loring Henderson was contrite about the car wash Monday.
"We were wrong. In no way do I want the city to get a black eye over this," Henderson said. "This is our fault. The shelter apologizes."
City officials stopped the fundraiser because water from the car wash flowed into the city's stormwater drainage system, which flows directly to the Kansas River.
The city halted a homeless shelter's benefit car wash because the run-off would have drained into storm sewers like the one above.
"It's an environmental code violation," Voigt said.
Voigt said the shelter was issued a "notice of violation" Monday. The notice, he said, does not include a fine.
"We've written hundreds of these in the four years since the (stormwater drainage) ordinance was adopted and no one has ever been fined," Voigt said. "They are meant to be educational in nature."
Voigt said his office called the shelter and urged organizers to cancel the event after seeing a story on the planned car wash in Saturday's Journal-World.
Henderson confirmed someone from Voigt's office had called. He declined further comment.
"I wasn't here when the city person showed up," he said.
The purpose of the car wash was to raise money to equip softball teams for the homeless.
Henderson said the car wash raised $290 for the purchase of enough softball equipment -bats, balls and gloves - to equip two teams.
"The goal was to raise $150," he said. "And we had people donate some bats and gloves, so it was very successful."
Lawrence's Stormwater Ordinance
No person shall release or cause to be released into the storm drainage system any discharge that is not composed entirely of uncontaminated stormwater, except as allowed in Section 9-902(B).
Common stormwater contaminants include trash, yard waste, lawn chemicals, pet waste, wastewater, oil, petroleum products, cleaning products, paint products, hazardous waste and sediment.
Exemptions:
¢ Uncontaminated waterline flushing.
¢ Uncontaminated runoff from lawn watering.
¢ Runoff from an occasional car wash.
¢ Sump pump discharge.
The shelter's first softball game is tentatively scheduled for Monday in South Park.
Voigt said initial reports indicating the car wash was stopped because the shelter failed to get a permit were incorrect because the city doesn't issue car-wash permits.
The city's stormwater ordinance, he said, prohibits large-scale car washes on properties that drain into the city's stormwater sewer system.
An outgrowth of EPA regulations, the city's stormwater ordinance also seeks to keep "trash, yard waste, lawn chemicals, pet waste, wastewater, oil, petroleum products, cleaning products, paint products, hazardous waste and sediment" out of the stormwater system.
The ordinance does not prohibit tenants or homeowners from washing their cars in their driveways.
Charitable groups wanting to sponsor large-scale car washes are encouraged to work with the city's automobile dealerships and commercial car washes, both of which are connected to the sanitary sewer system, which does not drain directly to the river.
Rick Nunez, general manager at Auto Exchange, 1225 E. 23rd St., offered to let the shelter use his facilities on one or more Saturdays.
"We like to help the community as much as we can," Nunez said.
In recent months, the stormwater ordinance has proven controversial.
At their June 7 meeting, Lawrence city commissioners called for a review after learning that Chuck Magerl, proprietor at the Free State Brewing Co., 636 Mass., had been told he wasn't to use hose water to clean the sidewalk in front of the restaurant.
"There seems to be a Chicken Little mentality going on that says any small bit of danger is a crisis," Magerl said Monday.
Commissioner Mike Amyx shared Magerl's concern.
"I understand what the ordinance is trying to do, but for the life of me, I can't understand what difference it makes if someone washes their car or their sidewalk with clean water or if it rains," said commissioner Mike Amyx. "It all goes to the same place."
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Jean1183 (anonymous) says…
"I know there are people who don't think this is a big deal, but it's important to realize that when you have a concrete parking lot that runs to a concrete street that runs to a concrete stormwater system - you're essentially dumping whatever it is you're doing in the river," Chad Voigt, stormwater engineer for the city, said .
It's interesting that when I used this same logic with Mr. Voigt about the city "dumping" it's run-off onto my & my neighbors' properties in the county, it was "no big deal" to him (and or/the city).
Isn't "What's good for the goose, good for the gander?"
Jean
WereAllMonkeys (anonymous) says…
Ban Carwashing
retina (anonymous) says…
Softball for people who are homeless? Do they want to play softball? Isn't there something more important that could be done for them with this money? Do they have plenty of food? Are the shelter's supplies sufficient?
I guess that I'm just surprised that playing softball is a priority for a very serious issue.
bluedog (anonymous) says…
I agree with "retina" -- softball for homeless people? WTF?
smitty (anonymous) says…
Thank you JW! Time and actions will tell the truth as to how contrite Henderson is.
This is exactly how I have witnessed the wet shelter's management by Henderson and staff. No co-operation nor reasonable communication with the citizens of Lawrence, incompetent staff and management, disregard for the neighborhood in which they exist. What the hell is wrong with the shelter's board of directors that they don't step in and correct the obvious mangement problems?
***"We were wrong. In no way do I want the city to get a black eye over this," Henderson said. "This is our fault. The shelter apologizes."
...Henderson confirmed someone from Voigt's office had called. He declined further comment...***
Laughable comments but totally reflective of how the shelter is run.
On the web site for the shelter you will also find that the enabling co-ordinator of LINK, Dianne Morgan, was introduced to LINK by Henderson. Now the dots are connecting as to why LINK has deteriorated over the drunk druggies from the wet shelter.
The board of LINK and community shelter need to take this as an opportunity to work with First Christian Church, Trinity, Methodist Church, LINK, Jubilee, the city funding sources, lpd, and neighbors to correct this out of control situation.
dbackbone (anonymous) says…
And every morning, countless downtown merchants violate this EPA ordinance from Big Brother. Selective enforcement anyone??
bugmenot (anonymous) says…
Oh give me a break. Are you really trying to defend the rights of the homeless shelter to raise money for the homeless to play softball? Why the hell isn't anyone up in arms about that? There are so many better things they could do to help the homeless, but I think this goes to show that the homeless would rather be given a free lunch and, apparently, a softball game, than to be given job training and a hand up. I can believe this. I'm glad that car wash got shut down. Softball playing homeless people. Jeez!
kshaff03 (anonymous) says…
Holy crap...I'm about to have a heart attack... I actually agree with the city on something...
Reading the headline, I was thinking...here we go again, but I have to say the city has a pretty good argument. It's sad how polluted the kansas river is.
lawrenceks66 (anonymous) says…
Why aren't they out looking for a job or way to take care of themselves rather than playing softball? Winter is coming .. shouldn't finding a job and place to live be a top priority??? NO .. one of them will freeze to death this winter and we'll hear about how we let the homeless down ... blah, blah, blah ... I would LOVE to have time to play softball .. but NO .. I have to work and then I have to take care of my kids .. hhhmm .. must be nice to collect money to use on recreation and then head down for a FREE dinner at the kitchen. Life must be rough .. this is total BS ..
And how many of them are collecting money from the state for disability but are able to play softball? Inquiring minds want to know ............
lovely1 (anonymous) says…
that's the city of lawrence for you... WTF is this and them playing softball.... raise money for new clothes for your next job interview
happygolucky (anonymous) says…
Softball? Spend the money on interview clothes so they can get a job. If we start making it fun to be homeless, then we'll end up neck deep in homeless people. Get a clue Lawrence. This is BS. The city already makes this a prime spot for homeless drifters to stop. Homeless from all over the country come here because it is so easy. I might have to just sell off all my stuff and be homeless too. I can get drunk and high, then after eating a free meal, go out and play softball. That sounds great. Homelessness can't be THAT bad if you have softball. wake up!!!!! Loring Henderson should find better ways to spend money or find a new job. Softball for the homeless? Just the sound of it is enough to make a hard working, tax paying, home having, single parent so mad they might think twice about ever donating to anything.
Homeless people get free food, free shelter, free showers, free laundry, free whatever. It's like winning the lotto, only no taxes, home or car. Hell, it's better than living for free off of mom and dad. Then you have the people out there who are too cheap to pay for things. Eat at L.I.N.K. an do their laundry at the Drop in Center so they have the spare cash for booze and dope.
Maybe we should card these people, give them a time limit on how long they can stay and mooch and the tell them to move on. Life sucks, unless you work on making it better. Welfare has a cut off, so should this. There are people out there who have been doing this for years and have no intention on stopping. I for one am tired of footing the bill.
dbackbone (anonymous) says…
Personally, I can't wait to see homeless softball in South Park next Monday. Who is going to wail in protest next? Probably he Johnson County soccer moms over at the wading pool...
Pattymaker (anonymous) says…
Ok, I understand that softball seems a little odd but making a blanket statement that all homeless people use drugs and smoke dope is crap. I happen to be someone who has worked with the homeless, yes there are some people out there who choose this as a way of life and make a bad name for everyone but the majority of people who are homeless are trying to do something about it and whats wrong with some fun and relaxation for a Saturday afternoon. I am sure you folks are not all work and no play. Everyone deserves some fun!!
bluedog (anonymous) says…
"The shelter's first softball game is tentatively scheduled for Monday in South Park." I am so going...if they want to make money, they should charge admission!
Team names?
Deadbeats vs. The Panhandlers
happygolucky (anonymous) says…
Pattymaker-You are correct, not ALL homeless people use drugs and drink booze all day. But yes I WORK, pay bill, bust my hump making it for my family, so yes i deserve to relax, have fun with the kids on the weekend and such. If you are a drain on the system, then why should we give money so they can relax and kick back on the weekend. What have they done. Did they punch in 40 plus hours of work, pay bill and taxes. Oh the stress of collecting their hand outs. I bet a good ol' game of softball will help them unwind so they can go out and work another week. Give me a break. It is the people choosen this as a way of life thet are playing softball, not the ones who are displaced and waiting to get enough money together to get rent and deposit on a new place.
And just so you know, I donated many evenings at the Sally to serve dinner to the homeless at the shelter. There are the same people there year after year. Most of which get a check and blow it on crack and a hotel on the first of the month and you see them again on the 4th when the money runs out. You have the drunks who can't pass the breath test to get in. Then they complain that it's cold outside even though they know they can't be drunk when the shelter opens. What do they do, drink anyway. Go cry foul somewhere else. Maybe at the softball game of you homeless buddies. Everybody does deserve some fun if they have earned it. 90% of the deadbeats from the Drop in Center are just that, deadbeats. i think the hardworking people of Lawrence should protest their game so they know how it feels to have them interupt our lifes with their whinning and panhandling.
Monday is a work day for most of us. Maybe they should be out looking for jobs instead of playing. All Play and no work makes you a ..... well if I used that type of wording here, some bum might try and sue.
RetiredArmy (anonymous) says…
I dont think it should matter, specialy if they were useing biodegardable soap it wouldnt have hurt or damage a thing in the drain system.
dbackbone (anonymous) says…
Good point, Retired Army. This whole EPA rule thing doesn't pass the smell test. Why not have the public donate bio-degradable soap if the organizers don't want to have the homless car wash on East 23rd.
Ragingbear (anonymous) says…
As formerly homeless, and a current advocat, let me say that I thought this entire softball thing was a stupid, and counterproductive idea. After all, if anybody can train,organize, instruct, and play softball in some sort of consistant manner, then they are fully capable of doing things that can contribute to them getting off the streets. The entire time I was on the streets over 90% of it was based around ending my situation.
Take the money, use it for more worthwhile ventures, like voc-rehab or something.
ebbenji (Eric Beightel) says…
The soap isn't the only problem with the pollutants that enter the waterways.
Think about it - when you wash a car, you are attempting to clean it of impurities. These impurities that are found on a car include asphalt, brake dust, gasoline, brake fluid, oil, etc. All of these compounds enter the waterways untreated.
As to your point about bio-degradable soap - I very seriously doub that they had the forsight to purchase such soap, but I have no direct knowledge of that.
This is not an EPA rule, it is an ordinance passed by the City of Lawrence as a means of complying with the Clean Water Act - reauthorized by the United States Congress in 1990. The EPA has not created any laws regarding storm water discharges for the State of Kansas or the City of Lawrence.
Non-point source pollution is the primary source of water contamination today. It HAS to be regulated if you care anything about the environment.
NorthLawrenceDude (anonymous) says…
Lawrence is attracting more homeless people because they have it to easy here. Free bread everywhere, shelters, now softball. Give me a frigg'n break people. I run on the levy in the morning before I go bust my @ss for 10 hours at my job. Just kills me that the homeless are waking up, heading south across the bridge to get their FREE rolls, donuts and coffee. UGGG.
happygolucky (anonymous) says…
Maybe I'm looking at this all wrong. I was talking about this with some friends, and yes I do have friends, and we think that if there is softball here, then they should train hard so we can have the best homeless softball team in the USA. We'll start here, then take on K.C., who know's maybe we can be the start of an off season league. We could pack stadiums. Paintballing is a sport on ESPN, how about this. We could patrol rehabs for pros who are down and out. If we had a couple of ringers, we could really pull it off.
Ragingbear-I agree, Voc-Rehab would be a good choice. If the do x amount of community service, they get x amount of free class time.
RetiredArmy and dbackbone-While you have a point, you are missing the issue the has everyone up in arms. Screw Softball. They need Jobs, and Homes, and a way to support themselves. If there are parents out there who can't afford to let their kids play summer ball, they why should the deadbeat, waste of tax dollars, panhandling bums have the community give them money to play. find a job and join their softball team!
dbackbone (anonymous) says…
I like this idea, surely we can turn this thing into a net positive. Surely someone at Channel 6 has some spare time and equipment to televise homeless softball. Why not have them play the Douglas County Sherrifs or LPD like 'The Longest Mile!' It sure beats the boring traffic cams of 6th and Mass by a country mile.
srj (anonymous) says…
FYI, south park is not big enough for adult softball. No place will be safe from foul balls.
Shardwurm (anonymous) says…
Is home plate shaped like a sidewalk to avoid confusion?
dbackbone (anonymous) says…
But South Park is big enough for adult kickball. Will they play over by the wading poll? What happens when a derelict hits a homer over the fence into the area of the small chil-run...