It’s time get outside and clean up according to Ariel Bertran, community and economic development director for the City of Webster City.

The city has been addressing the issue of maintenance throughout the downtown areas in the past few years, but there are ordinances and city codes that all residents need to follow.

“As the seasons change and our community comes back to life after winter, the city is continuing a more proactive approach to nuisance enforcement and neighborhood upkeep,” said Bertran in a recent press release. “The goal is simple: help keep Webster City clean, welcoming, safe, and enjoyable for everyone who lives, works and visits here.”

The benefits to keeping the community well-maintained help everyone.

“Clean neighborhoods help create a positive first impression, support property values, improve safety, and contribute to the overall quality of life for residents,” she said.

Small efforts such as mowing a yard, cleaning up debris, properly storing materials, or removing unused items make a big difference when everyone works together.

The city will help with that part of the cleanup effort, by setting June 12 and 13 as the dates when city residents can bring items that cannot be disposed of in regular garbage or recycling to a central location.

This will be held at the Webster City Middle School parking lot on June 12 from noon to 4 p.m. and on June 13 from 8 a.m. to noon.

There is no fee to bring items to this cleanup event. The items that can be disposed of at this site include appliances, box fans/ceiling fans, carpet pieces, computer towers, exercise equipment, bicycles, grills, lawn furniture, household furniture, mattresses and box springs, microwaves, scrap metal items and miscellaneous household items.

Properties that are identified as nuisances are outlined in the city code, Section 32.2. One of the most common seasonal concerns is grass and weeds. Property in developed residential areas that has grass and weeds over 8 inches tall would be identified as a public nuisance.

“Keeping lawns maintained not only improves appearance, but also helps reduce pests, improves visibility near streets and sidewalks and helps keep neighborhoods looking cared for and welcoming,” Bertan said.

Mayor John Hawkins said he hopes people will see the need to clean up their properties.

“If they are having trouble getting to it, reach out and ask for help,” said Hawkins.

Neighbors can sometimes help each other, he said,

“Ask your neighbors if you need a hand,” he said. He also indicated that the city might be able to direct property owners to some help if needed.

But that doesn’t take the responsibility off the property owners. The accumulation of garbage, trash, and debris on properties will be on the list of issues the city will address as part of the nuisance policy. This includes items such as bottles, cans, household refuse, large piles of materials, and other debris that has accumulated over time. Proper cleanup and disposal help prevent health and safety concerns while improving the overall appearance of the community.

Those who have items stored improperly outside such as machinery, furniture, appliances, and unused materials and junk on residential properties will see city citations.

Excessive outdoor storage can create cluttered and unsafe conditions, obstruct visibility, and negatively impact surrounding neighborhoods. The city cleanup event is designed to address these types of issues.

Another area of complaint and concern is the continued violation of parking vehicles in residential areas. Vehicles parked outside residential properties should be located on approved all-weather driveway surfaces. Long-term storage of trailers, materials, equipment, and similar items in residential areas should be minimized.

The city’s proactive approach means staff will be addressing concerns earlier and more consistently throughout the season rather than waiting for conditions to worsen or relying solely on complaints. This effort is not about issuing citations. It is about maintaining the appearance, safety, and long-term health of our neighborhoods and community spaces.

Keeping the community beautiful is a shared responsibility. When neighbors work together, it creates a stronger, more welcoming place for everyone to call home.