Tom Pape, a Cedar Rapids resident, addressed the City Council during the Sept. 9 public input period to follow up on a fire-lane no-parking posting on private property and described conversations with Fire Chief Greg Smith and Fire Marshal Steven Mass.

Pape said he walked the site with Fire Chief Smith and later met with Fire Marshal Mass. He told the council he asked for documentation of alleged violations cited by the fire marshal and was told none existed. "There is no documentation of any violation or anything," Pape said. He also said he requested an extension and third-party mediation to seek a less intrusive solution with neighbors and was told the posting would proceed on schedule.

Pape raised a technical question about the fire-code distance requirement, saying two properties in the First View addition on the east side have rear-yard distances less than 150 feet as measured from a particular point but without obstructions. He also said the west side has an obstruction (a wall) placed when an adjacent road was rebuilt. Pape said he asked whether the city attorney had been consulted about the enforcement and was told the fire marshal had "our own attorney" and not the city attorney.

Pape characterized the outcome as disappointing and said residents remain concerned. His remarks were presented as public comment; the council did not take formal action during the meeting on the matter. Mayor O'Donnell had earlier referenced the fire chief's involvement when the matter was previously before the council.

No council vote or staff directive resulted during the Sept. 9 meeting; Pape's remarks were recorded as part of the public input period and cited requests for documentation, extension and mediation that he reported were denied by fire department representatives.