ENM makes change in code enforcement policy

The Elko New Market City Council is making a change in the city’s code enforcement policy concerning properties. The change is to be a slightly more proactive one in keeping the community and neighborhoods looking attractive, maintain property values and the quality of life for residents. The council approved the change by a 4-1 vote with Mayor Bob Crawford casting the only no vote.

The code enforcement is basically concerning properties that may have an unused vehicle in their yard, overgrown grass or other items that may detract from the aesthetics of a property. Past councils have discussed a change to code enforcement, but due to staff constraints at the time it was decided the code would be enforced if a neighbor or others complain about a residence. It was noted while that approach may be less taxing on city resources, it could allow a nuisance condition to exist longer, affecting the look of the community and lowering property values.

Staff has recently suggested a more proactive approach. One reason for the change is the duty of code enforcement is being transferred from the city administrator and assistant city administrator to the community development specialist and the police department.

Community Development Specialist Renee Christianson noted that it will still be more of a reactive system.

Council member Trish Timmons suggested paying attention to where the complaints are coming from and question if they are valid. She also said when they approach a property owner, find out if there are financial reasons for why they have a vehicle on their property. She asked if there was a method they could use to track complaints.

City Administrator Tom Terry and Christianson said there was and that the police department can track the history of complaints. It would be listed as an incident in the police’s logbooks.

Mayor Crawford said he had talked to three other mayors and three city administrators, noting their cities get enough complaints rather than through a proactive system.

Terry said the general members of the pubic are not going to see much change, unless the city were to do a clean sweep program.

Christianson said she contacted the staff at Scott County, Shakopee, Savage and Prior Lake about their code enforcement. She also worked with....

To see more on this story pick up the June 1, 2017 print edition of The New Prague Times. 

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