GUY CARROZZO -- Mayor’s Column

The city of Fountain Valley has the reputation for being a “nice place

to live.” I have asked our planning and code enforcement staff to help us

understand what is involved in maintaining the aesthetic quality of our

community. In response to my request, City Planner Robert Franklin has

prepared the following:

Elected policymakers, city employees, concerned business ownersand

residents form the winning combination that makes Fountain Valley a “nice

place to live.”

Fountain Valley residents take great pride in calling this city their

home, and the efforts of the code enforcement staff play an important

role in community preservation.

The duties of a code enforcement officer are unique, with

responsibilities that lie squarely between the realm of policymaking, and

the realms of law enforcement and litigation.

Fountain Valley has adopted regulations that attempt to maintain the

quality of life that meets the expectations of residents and business

owners. Adopting regulations, however, is only the first part of a larger

cycle that includes both enactment and enforcement of laws that protect

property rights and promote neighborhoods.

Code enforcement officers investigate nuisances such as inoperable

vehicles on private property, trash cans in view throughout the week,

overgrown vegetation along the major arterials and in frontyards, and

abatement of temporary signs on utility poles and on the sidewalks.

In addition, they investigate various housing and property maintenance

problems, such as peeling paint and trash and debris. They also monitor

signs, outdoor sales, outdoor storage and promotional events in the

commercial and industrial areas. The code enforcement staff seeks

voluntary compliance of code violations by explaining the reason for the

law and how the law protects the rights of surrounding neighbors or

business owners.

Maintaining Fountain Valley as a city where differences are evident is

not an accident. It happens because many residents are attentive to

preserving the aesthetics of their own property, as well as their own

neighborhood.

Many of the complaints received from residents stem from trash cans

left at the curb or in the frontyard area after trash pick up. Trash cans

need to be returned to an area out of view on the same day as the trash

pick up.

Call Rainbow Disposal Co. Inc. for the pickup of large appliances,

such as washing machines or refrigerators that are no longer in working

order. If you plan to dispose of chemicals, paints, batteries, pesticides

or other types of materials, please remember that it is against the law

to use the trash cans or to pour them into the gutter. These items should

be taken to the nearest regional collection center or to Rainbow

Disposal, 17121 Nichols St., Huntington Beach.

The code enforcement staff works closely with the Planning and Housing

Division, the Building and Fire departments, and the Public Works

Department as a team to keep Fountain Valley safe and well-maintained.

Whether the case is an abandoned dwelling or removing graffiti, the code

enforcement staff is available from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. to receive calls

regarding property maintenance, overgrown vegetation, inoperable

vehicles, trash cans in view and other land-use problems.

A 24-hour code enforcement hotline has been established to allow

residents to report code violations after business hours. Code

enforcement staff can be reached at (714) 593-4444 or at City Hall, 10500

Slater Ave., Fountain Valley.

* GUY CARROZZO is mayor of Fountain Valley. ROBERT FRANKLIN is the

city planner for Fountain Valley.