INFORMATION #1 07-28-1997City of
INFORMATION
MEMORANDUM
TO:
FROM:
DATE:
SUBJECT:
Mayor & City Council
Laurie Mezera-Kerr, Environmental and Code Enforcement Officer
July, 24, 1997
Complaints - Elk Park Terrace Mobile Home Park
Attached is a letter I received from Mr. Bryan Doering on July 13, 1997. Mr.
Doering requested that I forward a copy of his letter to the Mayor and City
Council.
Also included for your review, is my letter of response to Mr. Doering. As stated
in my letter, following the August 8, 1997 deadline, the City will take appropriate
action to resolve Mr. Doering issues.
13065 Orono Parkway · P.O. Box 490 · Elk River, MN 55330 · TDD & Phone: (612) 441-7420 · Fax: (612) 441-7425
~ity of
July 24, 1997
Mr. Bryan Doering
115 Baldwin Avenue
Elk River, MN 55330
Dear Mr. Doering:
I am in receipt of your letter dated July 13, 1997. In response to your complaint received
June 6, 1997, I visited Elk Terrace Mobile Home Park. During that time, I spoke with
Mrs. Hohlen regarding the removal of junk vehicles and equipment. Mrs. Hohlen
stressed to me, that her husband is currently working on removing these items. However,
she felt clean up could take several months.
At this time, the City is awaiting the pending August 8, 1997, sale of Elk Park Terrace.
Following this date, the City will take appropriate action to rectify the issues addressed in
your letter should the park remain open. Nevertheless, should the property sell on August
8, many of these is§ues will be rectified during the development process.
Thank you for your letter. If you have any questions regarding this matter, I may be
reached at 441-4917.
Sincerely,
Laurie Mezera-Kerr
Environmental and Code Enforcement Officer
13065 Orono Parkway · P.O. Box 490 · Elk River, MN 55330 · TDD & Phone: (612) 441-7420 · Fax: (612) 441-7425
July 13, 1997
City of Elk River
Laurie Mezera-Kerr
Dear Ms Mezera-Kerr:
When I spoke to you 4 weeks ago, you said you were going to enforce the codes of the
city and force the Hohlens to clean up Elk Terrace Mobile Home Park. Most recently
when I spoke to you on July 3rd you said, "the council has put this on hold hoping that
the Hohlens will be more cooperative, working on this problem with them".
I do not agree with this strategy. I think you should enforce the codes for the following
reasons:
Safety should be priority number one.
No storm shelter, except Hohlen's laundry room for all the residents.
Exposed hazardous large rusty equipment, and many old vehicles for children to
get into.
Wooded area just east of the park has nail-ridden boards and junk that needs
cleaning.
Mowing left undone allowing noxious weeds to mature, increasing bugs and
ticks, attracting stray animals such as skunks, raccoons, and woodchucks.
Crumbling tarred streets, with large potholes.
Amperage electrical power not up to code, some residents have 50 service amp
only, not allowing even a window unit air conditioner.
Sewer system outdated, requiring manual activation of a pumping station by
Hohlen's many times each day.
Poor drainage after a rain, with the water standing for a day or more.
Abandoned mobile homes and sheds, up on blocks, with rotten wooden steps, and
broken windows.
Inadequate nighttime lighting, entryways to driveways and homes are dark.
Old tires, prone to mesquito breeding.
Even though the Feasibility study has been put on hold till July 28th, I still
feel the residents have the right to feel pride in their park, and not be subjected to a
substandard environment.
Please look into this matter and respond to me in writing by July 22, 1997.
This is a concern of all the residents of the Trailer Court not only mine.
Sincerely,
Bryan Doering Phone: (612)-441-7064
115 Baldwin Avenue
Elk River, Mn 55330
CC; City Council Members
Leonard, Street and Deinard
Elk River Star News
St. Cloud Dist. Office, Minnesota Dept. of Health
All Parks Alliance for Change
Residents of the Elk Terrace Mobile Home Park