Volunteer Fined for Removing Trees in a Tornado Zone without a License

Mike Haege, resident of Hastings, received a $275 fine for removing trees for residents whose homes were damaged in last month’s tornado. Although Haege was volunteering and had not charged for his services he was given the fine for working in Minneapolis without a business license.

Haege is the owner of Custom Cut, a tree trimming business in Hastings. When a tornado struck the neighboring city of North Minneapolis, Haege decided to volunteer his expertise by assisting tornado victims who did not have home insurance. Since he was volunteering, Haege didn’t think he needed a business license.

While he was clearing passage for residents to exit their homes, a city inspector showed up and asked Haege to see his license. Although Haege showed the inspector his volunteer papers and the other volunteers and residents vouched for his unpaid assistance, the inspector still maintained that without a city license Haege was unauthorized to assist in that neighborhood.

City officials say that Haege had left his assigned zone of volunteering and had entered a dangerous area.

The Star Tribune reports, “Matt Laible, spokesman for the city, said Haege was doing work in a zone that he hadn't been assigned to, work that should only have been done by a contractor licensed in Minneapolis.”

Haege plans to appeal his $275 fine for trimming trees without a license.

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