Colfax council willing to work with residents for clean up

At each city council meeting since the end of the summer, members of the Colfax City Council have encouraged city beautification and clean up efforts through their yard abatement policies. If the city notices a property with trash — from unused and unregistered vehicles to overgrown brush piles — the city will send notice requiring clean up. If the resident makes no effort to abate their property within a specified period, the city will remove the trash at the resident’s expense.

“The law requires we send one notice before clean up,” Colfax City Cleark Nancy Earles said. “We send two notices to residents and give them an extra chance before charging them for clean up.”

Residents may also request a hearing before the council to discuss steps they may take to abate their property before the city charges them for waste removal. At the monthly workshop Nov. 7, city leaders listened to the progress made at 236 E. Broad St.

A resident of the property explained she and her family had removed unregistered vehicles, mowed the grass and stacked wood in an appropriate location. They are also in the process of registering operable vehicles that remain on the property.

“It sounds like you’ve made steps,” council member Brian Poulter said. “We’ll follow up with inspection. Continue with the things you’re doing.”

If the property passes inspection, the city will not send staff to remove trash, nor will the city charge residents of 236 E. Broad St. with a clean-up fee.

In addition to the hearing, the city council also discussed street closures for Colfax Country Christmas, other sites requiring abatement and the city administrator search. They will vote on these items at their monthly meeting Nov. 13.

Contact Phoebe Marie Brannock at 641-792-3121 or pmbrannock@newtondailynews.com