Verndale City Council: Permanent or temporary? To fence or not to fence?
by Trinity Gruenberg
trinity@inhnews.com
The Verndale City Council held their regular meeting on Monday, July 10.
Fencing Around Pools
Brian Hagen was upset about a letter he received from the city’s attorney about not having a fence around his pool.
The pool ordinance says they are to have a fence four feet in height to enclose a permanent outdoor swimming pool. Hagen argued his isn’t permanent, it is seasonal.
Uselman argued it is permanent as it cannot be moved.
Hagen said it can be drained and moved.
Hagen believed that people can’t have a pool because of the ordinance, as fences are not cheap. He asked what the purpose of the fence is. Mayor Erckenbrack explained it is to prevent children from drowning.
Hagen said it is not the government’s responsibility to tell people how to parent. Parents should be responsible for teaching their kids to stay off other people’s property. He asked if they put fencing around rivers and bonfires?
Hagen asked for the definition of permanent, as it is not in the ordinance. The council said the letter from the attorney was just informing him of the ordinance.
Uselman said the pool is permanent because it is full. . .