Spencer, IA (KICD)– The Spencer City Council met in special session Monday evening to hear an appeal from a local trailer park owner to have electricity fully restored to his property more than a year after it was turned off due safety concerns.

The appeal stems from a decision rendered earlier this year by the city’s Electrical Board that kept power from being fully restored to the trailer park on West 18th Street.

Attorney Anne Quail represented master electrician Lane Schindler and property owner Bill Caskey and asked that the original verdict be overturned citing a section of Iowa code that she says was not taken under consideration.

City Attorney Don Hemphill argued that that particular piece of code does not apply in this case since, in the city’s view, changes have been made to the power system over the years to accommodate a growing number of manufactured homes being brought on the property.

Also speaking on behalf of the city was Anna Harmon who handles inspections. She says that while the other side argues the electrical matter and substandard housing should not be put together, the two issues end up together because part of the electrical inspection typically involves looking at each individual panel.

Quail noted she understands that the city is wanting to improve the community but feels there is also a secondary motive in this case that involves officials wanting to do what they can to do away with the trailer park saying it is being treated differently than any other inspection, a claim the city denies.

As of Monday evening, twelve of the units in the trailer park have had electricity restored with several others not passing the most recent inspection back in May.

An initial motion by Councilman Ron Hanson to take the information received under advisement with a decision as to whether or not to uphold the decision made by the Electrical Board at a later date ultimately died for lack of a second. Hanson later abstained from a second motion to stick with the original verdict that passed with four yes votes from the rest of the council.