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<br /> <br />YCity Steps Up Code Enforcement <br /> <br />Recently, after hearing repeated <br />concerns from the community, the <br />City Council has increased its code <br />enforcement initiatives throughout <br />the city. Code enforcement provides <br />many services that are designed to help <br />keep the community safe, healthful and <br />attractive. The scope of these services <br />is educational in focus, yet compliance <br />driven. We rely on community input <br />and cooperation to maintain the high <br />quality of living that Elk River residents, <br />businesses, and visitors expect. <br /> <br />The code enforcement staff is <br />committed to enforcing land use and <br />property maintenance requirements- <br />set by city code. The goal of code <br />enforcement is for voluntary <br />compliance with these standards. We <br />achieve this through strategic planning, <br />communication, education, proactive <br />inspections, and response to service <br />requests. <br /> <br />The Process <br />As directed by the Council, code <br />enforcement is becoming more <br />proactiv~ rather than just complaint <br />driven.This means that in addition <br />to responding to complaints, staff <br />will be assertive in identifying code <br />enforcement concerns. The proces? for <br />filing a complaint is as follows: <br /> <br />. File a complaint with the city <br />through our web page, e-mail, <br />phone call/message, letter, or in <br />person. Include property address, <br />your name, and phone number. All <br />complainants are protected by the <br />data privacy act; your name will not <br />be used. <br /> <br />. Once a complaint is filed, it is <br />assigned to the inspector who then <br />verifies the complaint/violation. <br /> <br />. A notice is sent to the property <br />owner notifying them of the - <br />violation and setting a timeline to <br />bring th~ property into compliance. <br />. A second inspection is done by <br />said timeline; if violation still exists <br />a final notice is sent, indicating a <br />fine may be administered. In cases <br />of long grass, the city will initiate an <br />abatement process which allows <br />the city to cut the grass and charge <br />it back to the property taxes. <br /> <br />The main goal is to achieve volul')tary <br />compliance. <br /> <br />Common Violations <br />There are several code requirements <br />that most residents and/or business <br />owners are not even aware of; the <br />following list touches on a few of <br />the common violations. For more <br />information, please go to our web page <br />at www.ci.elk~river.mn.us or call <br />763.635.1036. <br /> <br />. Grass>or"weeds eight (8) inches in <br />height or more prohibited. <br />. All parking surfaces should ~ontain: <br />asphalt, concrete, concrete or <br />similar pavers, or Class V rock/gravel. <br />. Any vehicle that is not registered, <br />does not have current tabs or is <br />inoperable is considered junk per <br />city ordinance <br />. Junk debris prohibited:junk <br />vehicles, garbage, old machinery, <br />debris, etc. <br />. Prohibited: Signage is not permitted <br />for home occupations and certain <br />permits are required <br /> <br />Article continues on Page 3 <br /> <br />-3- <br />