Fairfield seeks short lawns, trimmed bushes

The city of Fairfield wants to make sure the town looks nice when the RAGBRAI riders come to town July 26.

To that end, city officials are reminding residents to mow their lawns and trim their trees and bushes if they block sidewalks.

Fairfield Code Enforcement Officer Scott Vaughan said residents must remember to keep their grass or weeds under 10 inches tall. If they do not, they will receive a written warning from the city.

Vaughan said most people who receive a warning promptly take care of the problem. Nevertheless, he?s surprised how many people are unaware of the ordinance against long grass considering its mentioned on the water bills.

?It?s still amazing people don?t know about it,? he said.

Upon receiving a written warning, residents have seven days to abate the nuisance. When the seven days are up, the city checks to see if the nuisance has been abated. If not, Vaughan tells the street department to mow that lawn. Residents are charged based on the amount of time city staff spend cutting the grass. The minimum charge is $75.

Vaughan said each resident receives one written warning, which applies to all the resident?s properties. Vaughan said some people think they will receive a warning for each property that is in violation of the code, but that is not the case.

?We?re trying to get as much awareness of this stuff as possible,? Vaughan said. ?With RAGBRAI coming, we have a chance to showcase our town. We want everyone to do their part so it looks as nice as possible.?

The city?s code of ordinances can be viewed online at http://cityoffairfieldiowa.com/DocumentCenter/Home/View/123.

Nancy Horras, chairperson of the Fairfield Beautification Commission, said the commission is also asking residents to make the town look nice for RAGBRAI.

?We want Fairfield to look great all the time and particularly when we?ve got thousands of visitors showing up,? she said. ?This is an opportunity for the town to step it up. We think it?s an opportunity to put our best foot forward and create a positive first impression.?

Horras said she does not expect residents to do anything extravagant just for RAGBRAI. She said a nice-looking yard can be achieved by doing basic things like regular mowing and trimming bushes. Edging the grass where it meets the sidewalk is another way of improving the appearance of one?s lawn.

?That?s probably a little above and beyond what most homeowners feel they have time for, but it can set your property apart,? she said.

Horras said not only should residents be mindful of the appearance of their trees and shrubs but they should also ensure they aren?t encroaching on their neighbors property or onto public spaces such as streets and sidewalks.