Ozawkie residents press council for stronger code enforcement after repeated complaints

Several Ozawkie residents urged the City Council on July 13 to step up code enforcement after repeated complaints about the same properties.

Matt Roberts of 103 Central said he has filed nine written complaints about 101 Central alleging excessive trash, an inoperable vehicle and overgrown weeds, and that only one of the three issues was addressed by the police chief. Roberts said he will file another complaint to address the remaining violations. "He was disappointed to find that the chief only signed off on one of these 3 issues and he will be writing a new complaint to address the other 2 more directly," Roberts told the council.

Tatum Eck of 321 Sioux described witnessing a young child driving a small dirt bike at what she called dangerous speeds and said her effort to raise the issue with the police last week was handled inadequately. Mayor Loren Lutes acknowledged the concerns and said he had discussed code enforcement with the new police chief previously and would have a "sterner talk" with him about handling such situations.

The council did not adopt a new enforcement policy at the meeting. Mayor Lutes described the typical process as complaints coming to the city clerk and then being routed to the police chief or the city attorney as needed; he agreed more proactive work is likely required. The matter remains on the record for follow-up; the mayor said he will push the new chief to clarify and act on outstanding complaints.