Ramsey Resident - 2009 - July/August

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Public Safety ~ City Steps Up Code Enforcement The city of Ramsey has increased its code enforcement initiatives throughout the city. Code enforcement provides many services that are designed to help l(eep the community safe, healthful and attrac- tive. The scope of these services is educational in focus, yet compliance driven. We rely on community input and cooperation to maintain the high quality of living that Ramsey resi- dents, businesses and visitors expect. City staff is committed to en- forcing land use and property mainte- nance requirements set by City Code. The goal of code enforcement is for voluntary compliance with these standards. We achieve this through strategic planning, communication, education, inspections, and response to service requests. The Process At this time, code enforce- ment is complaint driven. This means that when responding to complaints, staff will be assertive in enforcing City Code concerns. The process for filing a complaint is as follows: File a complaint with the po- lice department by contacting our 24-hour dispatch at 763- 427-1212. All complainants will remain confidential for concerns regarding violations to City Ordinance or State Statutes that involve property. Once a complaint is filed, city staff will verify the com- plaint/violation. A notice is then sent to the property owner notifying them of the violation and setting a time line to bring the property into compliance. A second inspection is done; if a violation still exists, an administrative citation may be issued. If the violation continues, the city may then initiate an abatement pro- cess which allows the city to remove the violation from the property. The property owner is billed for the abatement, and failure to submit pay- ment will result in the fees being assessed to the property owner's taxes. The main goal is to achieve voluntary compliance. In the future, staff will become more proactive in the enforcement of city code. the documents tab and search in the City Code file or contact the Ramsey Police Department at 763-427-6812. Grass or weeds exceeding 12 inches in height (except prairie restorations) are pro- hibited. Parking on the grass is pro- hibi ted. All parl(ing surfaces must contain: bituminous pavement or concrete, or in the non-MUSA area, the sur- face must be at least recycled concrete, bituminous or prepared gravel. Only one (1) unlicensed ( operable) vehicle may be parl(ed on a prepared parking surface. Any other vehicles without current registration or any inoperable vehicles are considered public nui- sances by City Code. Junk debris (blight) is pro- hibited: junl( vehicles, gar- bage, old machinery, debris, etc. Common Violations There are several code re- quirements that most residents and/or business owners are not even aware of; the following list touches on a few of the common violations. For more information, please go to our website at www.ci.ramsey.mn.us and click on NATIONAL ==-'--- -..::::; iiliiili~ Time to Start Planning for ---- - -.-.. ~~~ National Night Out! The earlier you plan, the better! On Tuesday, August 5, the entire nation will be celebrating National Night Out. In Ramsey, police officers, fire fighters and city officials will be out visiting local neighborhood parties. Many neighborhoods host special events such as block parties, cool(outs, visits from police and fire departments, youth contests, and raffles. Planning a NNO party is easy and fun to do! If you would lil(e to host a blocl( party and be included in visits, registration pacl(ets are available at www.ci.ramsey.mn.us/departments/police/NNO.asp or by calling 763- 433-9891. Registration deadline is July 18. After your registration has been received, you will receive specific planning information for your event. More information on National Night Out can be found at www.nno. org/nno. www.ci.ramsey.mn.us 9