CEDAR FALLS - A second person wants a hand in the bus stop bench market.

Beth Burrell, a business owner in Cedar Falls, would like to add more uniform, permanent benches - possibly sheltered - to replace some she says are "in disarray."

Standing in her way are an ordinance more than 50 years old and a monopoly on permits.

Dennis Knudson of Parkersburg has owned and maintained benches in Cedar Falls for 27 years. He has 70 sites.

As the situation currently stands, a person or business submits an application for a permit to install benches at designated stops along the MET Transit bus route. The request is reviewed and processed through the public works department, and upon approval, the city clerk's office grants the permit.

Applicants also must get the go-ahead from the bench location's adjacent property owners, who must maintain the right of way.

The issue with the existing ordinance, City Attorney Susan Staudt said during a public works committee meeting Monday, is with a section that explains how permits are distributed. "Priority in the issuance of permits … shall be according to priority in the date of filing applications, except that a permittee who applies for renewal before expiration of a old permit shall be granted priority over another applicant for a permit for the same location."

Burrell said she filed for a permit April 28 for all 70 bus stop locations owned by Knudson. Hers were rejected when Knudson later renewed his permit before the May 1 deadline. She had paid her dues and showed proof of insurance above and beyond what was required, she added.

More than one person could install bus stop benches in the Cedar Falls area, Staudt wrote in a memo to the mayor and City Council. However, the ordinance also states "no more than one permittee shall be allowed a permit for any single intersection."

Only a limited number of benches are necessary, so the situation unfairly favors Knudson, Burrell said.

Knudson also has benches in Mason City and Ottumwa and isn't new to the business. He argues he has taken care of problems presented by public works.

"I've never been a hassle toward anybody, so I feel that I've done a good job," Knudson said.

Staudt said the preferred solution is for the city to take over ownership and maintenance of the benches. City staff members frequently field complaints about property owners not upholding their obligation to mow grass and remove snow, and some people view the benches as an eyesore, she added.

Bruce Sorensen, director of public works, said "there's an opportunity here now to clean up the right of way."

"I think there's way more benches out there than are used, just because they're an advertising opportunity," he added.

The majority of Iowa cities, including Ames, Dubuque, Cedar Rapids, Iowa City, Sioux City, Marshalltown and Mason City, do not have privately sponsored bus stops. Bench ordinances for Waterloo and Council Bluffs mirror the rules in Cedar Falls.

The committee tabled the discussion until its meeting Dec. 8.

Contact Tina Hinz at (319) 291-1484

or tina.hinz@wcfcourier.com.