EAST DUBUQUE, Ill. -- Unless the owners can come to an agreement with the city of East Dubuque, Sunflower Enterprises Inc. is facing fines that could climb to more than $40 billion -- yes, billion -- in one month.
It's not a fine structure that makes much sense, said City Manager Al Griffiths, but that's the way the city's zoning ordinance is written.
"Once started down this road, I don't have much choice," said Griffiths. "I'm doing what the city's code says."
For several months, city residents and council members voiced concerns at council sessions about work ongoing in the harbor located downriver from the city's boat ramp. They say the work appears to be barge repair, something not allowed in a business/commercially zoned area.
The harbor and surrounding land is owned by Sunflower Enterprises Inc. Carter Newt, who is constructing a home in rural East Dubuque, is president of the company.
Griffiths sent a Notice of Violation to Sunflower Enterprises on Sept. 17 and received a signed receipt of delivery on Sept. 21. From
| that adds up! Progression of a fine that starts at $75 and doubles daily: Day 1: $75 Day 2: $150 Day 3: $300 Day 4: $600 Day 5: $1,200 Day 6: $2,400 Day 7: $4,800 Day 8: $9,600 Day 9: $19,200 Day 10: $38,400 Day 11: $76,800 Day 12: $153,600 Day 13: $307,200 Day 14: $614,400 Day 15: $1,228,800 Day 16: $2,457,600 Day 17: $4,915,200 Day 18: $9,830,400 Day 19: $19,660,800 Day 20: $39,321,600 Day 21: $78,643,200 Day 22: $157,286,400 Day 23: $314,572,800 Day 24: $629,145,600 Day 25: $1,258,291,200 Day 26: $2,516,582,400 Day 27: $5,033,164,800 Day 28: $10,066,329,600 Day 29: $20,132,659,200 Day 30: $40,265,318,400 |
On Monday, Oct. 19, Griffiths told City Council members no one from the company has contacted the city.
According to the city's ordinance, at the end of the 30-day notice (which is today) the city may issue a Stop Work Order giving Sunflower Enterprises three days to come into compliance with the city's zoning ordinance.
If the company has not complied at the end of three days, a fine table goes into effect until the company is in compliance. Fines begin at $75 per day, doubling daily ($75, $150, $300, $600, $1,200, $2,400, etc.). In two weeks, the fines could climb to more than $1 million.
In an interview with the East Dubuque Register in mid-July, Newt said the business would be engaged in large-scale boat repair and that Sunflower Enterprises Inc. "is totally different and has no connection with Newt Marine. This business is not barge-related."
Newt did not return phone calls from the East Dubuque Register this week.
At the council session Monday evening, alderman Jamie Hanley said that he wants the barge "out of there, but what is the practical answer here. This (fines) ramps up quickly. We need to see how far along they are -- maybe they're close to done."
"The action the city has taken is appropriate," continued Hanley. "We had citizens complaining, and the city had to do something."
"It seems to me (Newt) has had plenty of time to do something about this," said Ron Shireman.
City Attorney Tom Nack advised the city to contact Newt. Council members agreed and asked Mayor Geoff Barklow and Griffiths to contact Newt to set up a meeting as soon as possible.
