TKC EXCLUSIVE!!! KANSAS CITY CONTROVERSY SURROUNDING MAYOR FUNKHOUSER'S CAMPAIGN SIGN!!!

KICKASS TKC TIPSTERS have discovered another sign of Mayor Funky's incompetence and ignorance regarding Kansas City rules and regs.

LET'S LOOK AT THE LATEST SIGN OF MAYOR FUNKY'S FAIL!!!

First, check the complaint on file with the City about Funk's campaign sign.

The essence of this complaint is that Funkhouser did not obtain the permits required or pay the required fees to install or alter the structural or electrical elements of the sign or for the sign to encroach on the public right of way.

The fact that there are no permits can be verified through the City's permit tracking system in KivaNet.

The City's "investigation" does not dispute the fact that there are not any permits on file for the work Funkhouser's campaign performed. However, the investigation did say that there were no violations and the case was closed. But in investigating the matter, the inspector admits a violation of one permit requirement and sidesteps the issue of the City's other permit requirements. I'm inviting other newsies to followup on this so-called "investigation" now that this holiday season has left a dearth of real reporting in Kansas City

IT SEEMS THAT THE RULES THAT SO MANY OTHER SMALL BIZ HAVE TO FOLLOW IN KANSAS CITY DON'T APPLY TO MAYOR FUNKY!!!

There are 3 issues involved:

1) A Projection Sign (A sign that projects from and is supported by a wall). You must have a sign permit to construct, install or alter the structure of a projection sign and such must be performed by a licensed sign contractor.

2) An Electrical Sign (A sign that has electric wiring, like a neon sign or a mechanical sign.) Again, you must have an electrical permit to construct, install or alter a sign if electrical wiring is involved and such must be performed by a licensed electrical contractor.

3) The Encroachment Ordinance (This is where a private item, like an awning, banner or sign, sticks out and hangs over a public right of way, like a sidewalk or street. Remember, property lines extend vertically into space in perpetuity.) If you own and/or install something in ANY PART of the public right of way, you have to have an encroachment permit, regardless of how far your sign sticks out over the sidewalk.

A KICKASS TKC TIPSTER BREAKS DOWN THESE ISSUES ONE BY ONE:

Item #1, changing any structural portion of a projection sign (like the message panel that was changed here) requires a permit (COO 18-16.b.(6)(b), attached). So even if a projection sign had been there since 1962, as the City's investigation says, you still have to have a permit to make the change to the structural element (i.e. the panel). Further, only a licensed sign installer can do the work (COO 18-14.i., attached).

Item #2, if a sign involves electrical wiring, any changes require a permit (COO 18-16.b.(6)(a), attached) and only a licensed electrician can do the work (section B. of the Sign Supervisor Certificate of Qualifications Requirement link in attached document.) The inspection investigation says Funky's folks reported that they only replaced the sign panel. GOTCHA!! Because electrical wiring was involved, still must have a permit and use a licensed electrician (and if you look at the sign, the frame and wiring is all new installation. Been there since 1962? Hardly!)

Item #3, if a sign sticks out into the public right of way (i.e. sidewalk) it must have an encroachment permit. PERIOD. The inspection investigations says that Funky’s sign does, indeed, stick out into the public right of way. However, it excuses the encroachment because other signs on the block stick out further. HUH?

Here's another really good way of looking at this controversy from the vantage of a small business person: "Keep in mid too, that each of these permits requires the payment of fees to the City's coffers."

TO WIT, THIS KICKASS TKC TIPSTERS HAS CAUGHT MAYOR FUNKY SEEMINGLY SHORT CHANGING KANSAS CITY WITH THIS UGLY CAMPAIGN SIGN!!!

This is Mayor Funky failing to lead by example yet again. Small biz people all over Kansas City have to follow these rules or face the consequences. Meanwhile, Mayor Funky and his Co-Mayor wife are once again allowed to break the rules without much consequence.

This is yet another small, ugly sign of Mayor Funky's corruption and why he isn't worthy of holding political office.