SIOUX CITY –  Homeowners still will have to hire licensed
contractors to do their plumbing and wiring after Councilman Aaron
Rochester’s second attempt to pass a do-it-yourself home-repair
measure went down in defeat Monday.

As it did in 2008, the City Council rejected his proposal to
allow homeowners to do their own electrical, plumbing and
mechanical work if they obtained a city permit and then allowed
city inspectors to approve the job.

Mayor Mike Hobart and Councilmen John Fitch and Tom Padgett
voted down the measure, and Councilman Keith Radig joined Rochester
in supporting it. The vote in 2008 was 3-1, with Hobart voting
against it. Fitch, Padgett and Radig were not on the council in
2008.

“I agree with you that we have some terrific skilled craftsmen
in Sioux City,” Fitch told Rochester. “I will agree with you there
are people who have the ability to do the wiring, the mechanical
and other work.”

He said he might reconsider allowing homeowners to do their own
work if the city placed more restrictions on them, such as
requiring them to take a test to prove their skills before
obtaining a permit.

Rochester said he would not be opposed to that but said the
current city policy “is driving people underground” to do the work
without permission. He emphasized Sioux City is the only major city
in Iowa whose law is more restrictive than state law, which allows
homeowners to do such work.

Radig said he would have liked to do some electrical work in his
own home but could not because of the current city prohibition.

Hobart objected to Rochester bringing the measure back for
consideration, claiming, “You’re creating all this angst in the
community. … What’s changed now?”

“John, Keith and Tom,” Rochester retorted, referring to the
three councilmen elected in 2009. He said he had council support to
bring the measure back.

Four licensed contractors spoke against the measure, citing what
they saw as fire and safety concerns.

And Councilwoman-elect Rhonda Capon argued that insurance rates
would go up because of the fire risk and said the city would have
to hire more inspectors.

But resident Dennis Benson claimed, ”The council is taking away
my freedom.”