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Maintenance Responsibilities of Hastings' ProDerty Owners In recent year.; public concern and awareness reganJing the need for property owners to adequately maintain their homes and businesses has steadily grown. The following are a few of the most typical maiore- nance or appearance problems which the Qty regu]ates: . Storageandcollectionoftrashandjunk . Cutting of grass and weeds . Storageofjunkorunlicensed vehicles . Storage of Recreational Equipment . UnsafeandHazardousBuildiogs . Shade Tree Disease Control and Prevention . Rental Housiog Property and Structure Maintenance In order to respond to these issues, current code eofon:ement policies include a reactive approach of respondiog to citizen complaints aboutnuisance or blighted properties. Nuisance and property maiotenance oriented Qty regulations areadmioistered by Community Develop- ment Division, Public Wolks Division, PoliceDepartment, FIre Department staff persoos and by the City Attorney. In recent year's the City has established property maiotenanceas an increased priority through the adoption of a Rental Housiog Code (Qty Code - Chapter 17) and the addition ofCommurtity Service Officers to the Hastings Police Department staff. In addition, the City has also recently restructured an existing staff position within the Community Deve1opmentDivision, establishing anewjob titleof"Zorting Admioistrator". This staffposition will be focused on zoning ordioance and genernl code adrninistra- tion duties including coordinating day to day administration of the City's rental housiog code. The Qty of Hastings role is to serve as a partner with residents to promote an appropriate level of property maiotenance to encourage safe, stable neighborhoods which represent a sound investment for home buyers and renter's alike. Any questions residents or business owner's may have regardiog property maiotenance responsibilities which are regulated by the City may be directed to Community DevelopmentDirector,Michael WoZIriak, 81437-4127. Volume I Storage of Recreational Equipment on Residential Property In an effort to maintain the aesthetics of the commu- nity, the City Council passed an ordinance in May 1996, regulating the parking storage and use of recreational equipment. Recreational vehicles include: boats, boat trailers, pickup campers, coaches, tent trailers, snowmobiles and trailers, jet skis and jet ski trailers. To be in compliance with the Municipal Code, one currently licensed recreational equipment 7 feet high or less, may be parked in the driveway. All other recreational equipment must be stored inside your garage, carport or inside a shed. Water Leaks are Excensive The average family uses about 125 gallons of water a day. Because the thousands of gallons of water delivered into your home costs so little, small leaks in your plumbing may seem of no consequence. But water leaks run 24 hours a day, and even drops will accumulate into a sizeable amount of water in just day's time. For example: . 60 drops a minute = 6 gallons a day . 90 drops a minute = 10 gallons a day . 120 drops a minute = 14 gallons a day . A stream the size of a pin = 170 gallons a day . A stream the size of a match = 970 gallons a day . A stream the size of a pencil = 3600 gallons a day A leak may waste more water than all the water you use! Remember: All meters have a low flow leak detector, a black triangle'that is visable under the master meter's lens cover. You will be able to check to see if your plumbing system is leaking just by looking at the low flow leak detector. To test for leaks. close all faucets and watch the low flow leak detector on your meter for movement, this may indicate a leaky toilet or faucet. Page 4