Councilors press staff on garbage-hauler dumping, enforcement of cans in streets

Councilors raised neighborhood complaints about waste-hauler operations and garbage cans left in the street during the Jan. 6 meeting.

Alderwoman Conley reported ongoing complaints about material blown from waste haulers and said she would share photos with Director Fuchs. She asked staff to reach out to haulers and monitor collection practices. Alderman Rockford asked whether an ordinance exists to require residents to return cans from the street and whether the city has issued tickets for leaving cans in the roadway.

Director Fuchs and corporation counsel said property owners are responsible for bringing cans back to the house. Corporation counsel agreed to check whether code enforcement had written tickets in the past and provide the ordinance language to council members. Alderman Rockford said the situation was an eyesore and raised concerns about trucks and wind dispersing trash into neighborhoods.

Council members did not direct immediate enforcement action during the meeting but asked staff to follow up with code enforcement and the haulers and to provide the relevant ordinance if it exists.