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November, 2011 Dear Alexandria Resident, I am writing because we are in the process of “cleaning up” the appearance of our city and need every
residents help and cooperation. We have been working with various business owners and individuals
around town in order to improve the appearance of our city. We have been at work planting trees and
flowers, keeping grass cut along our streets, changing old and hard to read street and stop signs, painting
curbs where necessary and maintaining our streets, city park, community center and city building as
best we possibly can. The city works diligently to get new businesses and builders to comply with
our sign and building codes in order to create a fresh appearance to our city. As you know, we have various city ordinances that pertain to property maintenance issues: the height
of grass, parking restrictions on certain streets, trash removal, etc. While these are useful in many instances,
they cannot address every issue of general maintenance and upkeep matters for property maintenance
and appearance. This is where my appeal for your help comes in to play. My specific request is that I ask you to take a critical look at your property for such items as:
peeling paint, any roof, gutters or siding in disrepair, broken windows or doors, downed trees,
brush, or overgrown weeds in your yard, accumulated trash around your property, any abandoned
or unlicensed vehicles, and any safety or sanitary issues, etc. Not only are these items unsightly, and may reduce your property value, but in many cases they
are safety and health hazards as well. I ask for your involvement in cleaning up and maintaining
your property to positively reflect on the city and your property as well. I hope that everyone
will take pride in their property and our city. By working together we can significantly improve
the appearance of our city. Several years ago our City Council adopted the “2000 International Property Maintenance Code”
to supplement our city ordinances and to establish minimum requirements for property maintenance
issues. The Code establishes overall minimum conditions and responsibilities for interior and exterior
maintenance of structures, equipment and property. It also contains minimum acceptable requirements
for sanitation, health, ventilation and fire safety issues as well as mechanical and electrical equipment
standards. The adoption of the Code makes it as valid as any of our city ordinances and subject to enforcement. There is a copy of the Code available for your review in the City Clerk’s office. We have a strong
desire to improve the overall appearance of our city and need everyone’s participation in order to
make this effort a success. If you need help transporting a large item for disposal, please call the city building at 635-4125 to see
if we can help. I welcome your call, correspondence or visit to discuss how we can work together to make Alexandria
better place in which to live and work. Bill Rachford
Mayor of Alexandria |
