Council presses code enforcement on trash storage rules and landlord notifications

At the March 19 pre-council briefing, multiple council members raised complaints about trash cans and bags left in front of properties and asked staff to enforce existing rules more consistently.

Council members described recurring problems on Sixth Street and said the issue often appears concentrated at rental properties. The mayor and staff summarized the ordinance as requiring property owners without rear or side alley access to store cans to the rear of the property and bring them out only on collection day; placing cans in front of the property except in narrow-access exceptions is not permitted. The mayor said a property owner (landlord) is responsible for ongoing violations and that landlords of out-of-state owners are required to have a property manager under local rules.

Council asked about enforcement practices. Staff said the city still issues instant tickets for garbage violations and historically used door hangers that were mailed or forwarded to landlords; with electronic systems the current workflow typically issues tickets but the mayor said she would double-check whether landlords are automatically being notified. Council suggested reverting to clear door-hanger notices or verifying that landlords are notified in the electronic process.

Council also discussed remedies for buildings producing more trash than allotted containers, including requiring additional pickup or providing dumpsters on concrete pads when appropriate. No formal policy change was made at the pre-council session; council asked staff to follow up with property maintenance and the appropriate supervisor about enforcement and landlord notification.