Each week, Herald reporter Charly Haley answers your questions about local government, laws and other local topics.
Q. When a home is a total loss due to fire, do the property owners have a certain amount of time before they need to clear away the rubble?
A. There isn't really a timeline when it comes to cleaning up a burnt-out property, according to John Bernstrom of the city's Public Information Office.
"The city asks that the building get buttoned up right away to make sure there are not any potential safety hazards," Bernstrom said. "Then the city will work with the property owner and their insurance company to get the building taken care of."
Q. Why are cars allowed to park on the southbound lane of Belmont Road when the section of street from downtown to 13th Avenue South is so narrow?
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A. This is a problem in a lot of older parts of town, and the city doesn't have a general answer.
"Parking in Grand Forks is an ongoing discussion," Bernstrom said. Residents should call the city's Public Information Office at 311 if they feel a stretch of road should not allow parking, and the city will review the request, he said.
About this particular part of Belmont, Bernstrom said, "This stretch of Belmont is older and has less room, so parking is only allowed on one side of the street."
If you want the city to review this further, call 311.
