We have received a complaint from our neighbors about a member working in their parking and leaving a mess of oil and fluids in their space. This is unacceptable, we are in the process of addressing the complaint against the member.
In the meantime, please remember, the lease has very strict rules about our use of parking:
I noticed this and was generally aware of it as an ongoing issue. I wondered at the time what, exactly, to do about it. It was obvious that vehicle wasn’t going anywhere soon, so going and wagging my finger at the guy didn’t seem productive, although I considered it just to make sure he was aware of the rules. But I thought I saw a D&O member around, and possibly speaking with him? Not sure…so I went off to the class I was there for instead.
I (and others) might benefit from some specific advice for this type of situation…one where there is nothing practical coming from getting involved. I get that members are the 1st line of defense regarding rules and their social enforcement, but it’s hard to know when, as member, I should say something vs. just letting it go.
I saw the guy out there Monday afternoon and he had the entire front driver’s side loose. I didn’t know what to do either. As you said, clearly that vehicle wasn’t moving for quite some time.
This individual was asked to not have it towed here, and when it got here an officer informed him it needed to leave immediately since he was fully aware it would not leave for days once here (he did not have parts, he stated he could not get parts for some time). Funny thing is he had it towed here from another shop.
Only reason it wasn’t towed is we ran out of tow stickers with the number used and had to wait on more (I don’t think anyone realised how many we’d gone through the past year with towing actually being enforced). We’re required to put a formal tow sticker on the windshield in front of the driver or the driver side window 24 hours before a truck can come.
There is t an excuse for whataboutism here. Please don’t be afraid to write in a complaint, especially if you’re not comfortable talking to the individual in question about whatever it is going on
Worst part was that they parked the vehicle right in front of our neighbors businesses front door. Then left a puddle of fluids when it was moved. Zero attempt to clean up the spill.
Our neighbor was more than gracious to not rip us a new one.
I’ve already got another heads up from the neighbor.
At least this time it’s not an unsightly/disabled vehicle that will immediately get them and us in trouble with the landlord, but this is their storefront and they need their parking spaces.
Please remember this rule isn’t just about cars that are disabled / the rule against working on cars in the lot, it’s about parking in their spaces period
Ban the person. Shit like this is what will sour relations with our neighbors and landlord. Since that’s the board that does the banning a helpful step would be to file a complaint so it’s on the radar.
When I first joined DMS, I was trying to find out if I can enter from the back and parked my car somewhere in that area for about 3 minutes. I could not remember if there were markings on each of DMS spots. Would having DMS markings help people realized which spots are allowed?
Members can park their vehicles anywhere in the general vicinity that they want, by and large. Some spots are marked with “reserved for…” type info or the name of a business…DMS members shouldn’t park in those spaces.
What we can’t do is: 1) go home (or wherever) and leave cars overnight, especially in an obviously un-drivable condition; or 2) work on cars in the lot.
When managed correctly, current auto area can hold three cars for basic services and maintenance, including one up on the lift. Folks just need to communicate and work with each other at that point.
Pretty much it’s everything in the area touching our back walls. If it’s next to the building behind us, then you shouldn’t park there from 7am to 6pm M-F. Same thing for the very south end of the building. Both of those are businesses that keep regular business hours. After hours and weekends, normal “I’m here working” parking is fine.
For some reason, nobody seems to park at the building to the north. Probably because we haven’t gotten to the point that we need that much extra space, and it’s farther to walk…
There used to be a really easy to read overhead view showing our spaces. Anyone have that handy? We
could post that thing on every door and leave a pile for people to take with them if they need it at the front entrance.
It definitely sounds like a serious infraction but I think an attempt should be made to resist a lifetime ban. Obviously this person felt like they were in some kind of a bind with their car and probably life situation. So, they changed their oil in the wrong spot and made a mess. That’s bad but in my view not worthy of a permanent ban unless it happened more than once. If the board resorts to banning this member please remember there are options such as a temporary ban from a month to a year. I believe except for extreme situations, members should be given the opportunity to learn from their mistakes. Just my 2 cents.
That was more than an oil change. They were also told it can’t stay there. Then they made a mess and didn’t clean it up. At the very least if you’re going to break the rules you better not be an ass at the same time.
They were told in advance not to do it
They kept being told to stop after they had their car towed to DMS anyway (from an actual shop no less, they just didn’t want to pay $100 for the part).
They didn’t clean up the mess of transmission fluid and got the neighbors involved
This wasn’t some accident from a stressed person; this was a member just flaunting the rules to save a few bucks.
Seem awfully defensive of someone who willfully tries to get us in trouble with the neighbors and landlord.
Where would we draw the line? After we’ve been fined? When the landlord decides not to renew a lease in the future because of our effect on other tenants in public? How much mercy allocated to willful actions that cause harm to the organisation? It’s the same as the “how many volunteer hours per dollar stolen” argument for those who steal from us.
If he didn’t know the rules I’d agree with you, but he was told in no uncertain terms before the tow truck even brought the car in.
I did not argue he did nothing wrong. We are merely discussing appropriate punishment. I might argue he lost the right to work on cars here or might be suspended for six months or a year. I’m sure the board will be fair and just.