§ 22A.01. STATEMENT OF PUBLIC POLICY.

The City of Cedar Rapids has an interest in ensuring a higher quality of life for its citizens, preserving property values and controlling the costs of taxpayer funded services such as police, fire and property code enforcement. In furtherance of that interest, the City seeks to ensure that properties within the City limits are well maintained and are not resorted to for purposes of unlawful conduct or conduct which disturbs the peaceable use of surrounding properties. Accordingly, it is the policy of the City that properties which are shown to be Nuisance Properties as defined by this Chapter shall be subject to the abatement process and charges set forth herein.

The City also has an interest in encouraging individuals to contact police and fire for emergency assistance. Accordingly, it is the policy of the City that the provisions of this Chapter shall not apply to a call made for Emergency Assistance as defined by this Chapter.

Further, the City acknowledges that conduct within the scope of this Chapter may arise out of a mental health condition and that, accordingly, any documented mental health condition of which City Officials are made aware may be taken into account when applying the terms of this Chapter.

(040-16)