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RELEVANT LINKS: <br />the particular expertise that is often needed for addressing different <br />situations, it may not be practical. <br />Cities should consider training employees that are involved in nuisance <br />enforcement. This type of training can include: <br /> <br /> How city ordinances are interpreted. <br /> Proper inspection methods. <br /> Private property rights. <br />Administrative search warrants. <br />Appropriate citizen interactions. <br /> Any other relevant information. <br /> <br />When changes are made to city ordinances or enforcement policies, city <br />officials should always be advised and instructed on how those changes <br />impact present practices. Cities also need to provide their city employees <br />with the tools and resources necessary to enforce their ordinances. For <br />example, if the city cuts long grass and weeds in the summer, or shovels <br />sidewalks in the winter, it’s going to need (at the least) a lawn mower and <br />a shovel. <br /> <br />B. Complaint-based enforcement <br /> <br />Many cities enforce their nuisance ordinances only when they receive <br />complaints from the public. A complaint-driven city policy may provide: <br /> <br /> Logging all complaints received, with date of received complaint and <br />location of nuisance. <br /> Processing complaints to the appropriate city official or department. <br /> Inspection of the alleged violation. <br /> If a nuisance condition exists, notice to property owner or offender. <br /> Administrative, civil, or criminal actions to obtain compliance. <br /> A follow-up letter to complainant, indicating abatement, impending <br />prosecution, or confirmation that no violation was found. <br /> <br />A complaint-driven approach to nuisance enforcement can be less taxing <br />on city resources. However, it may allow nuisance conditions to exist for <br />longer periods of time, creating a more complex situation and costly <br />remedy. Additionally, delayed enforcement may cause a negative impact <br />on the community, lowering property values and impacting community <br />vitality. <br />Minn. Stat. § 13.44, subd. 1. <br />Cities should also remember that the identity of individuals who register <br />LMC information memo, <br />complaints with their city concerning violations of state laws or local <br />Data Practices: Analyze, <br />Classify & Respond. <br />ordinances concerning the use of real property are classified as <br />confidential data under the Minnesota Government Data Practices Act. <br />League of Minnesota Cities Information Memo: 4/16/2020 <br />Public Nuisances Page 21 <br /> <br />