Huntington Woods to Crack Down on Rubbish Rule Violators

The Huntington Woods City Commission talked a lot of trash during its meeting Tuesday night at .

Commissioner Jules Olsman introduced a motion to amend city Ordinance 30-25, which covers homeowners' responsibilities related to garbage, rubbish, recyclables and compostables. The motion also recommended sending a letter to every household in Huntington Woods to educate and remind residents about their duties.

Under the current ordinance, residents are not permitted to leave trash, garbage, lawn bags or other debris at the curb before 4 p.m. Monday and all bins and cans must be removed by midnight Tuesday. The sole exception is brush. Ordinance 30-28 also prohibits the placement of such items in the street.

Olsman shared a PowerPoint presentation that documented several violations of the ordinances. In one photograph, a massive amount of garbage and furniture spilled out from a lawn into the street. In another, a large amount of waste was seen piled at the curb. Olsman noted both photographs were taken on weekends. Trash collection takes place on Tuesday in Huntington Woods.

Olsman argued passionately that continued defiance of the city ordinances creates eyesores that pose a threat to property values.

"You see it all the time in other cities and you see it when there are evictions and foreclosures," he said.

The commissioners authorized City Manager Alex Allie to send a letter to residents reminding them about the rules and noting that they will be strictly enforced starting July 1. The penalties for violating the ordinance are $50 for the first infraction, $150 for the second and $500 or a court appearance for the third.

Because Commissioner Robert Paul was on vacation Tuesday and Commissioner Mary White will be away for the commission's July meeting, the group decided to work on clarifying the ordinance during its Aug. 16 gathering when the entire commission will be assembled.

Among the ordinance clarifications to be discussed during the August meeting are:

• Noting that the city will pick up waste left at the curb or in the street outside of permitted hours and the offending homeowners will be billed.
• Reviewing fines to ensure they are an adequate deterrent.
• Adding a regulation that would require lawn services, snow removal contractors and others who do work that entails leaving debris at the curb to be licensed with the city.

Commissioner Mary White agreed that the ordinance needs to be strictly enforced and that further clarification will be beneficial. But, she argued that sending the letter to residents before the city commission meets in August to update the rules would be "confusing and irresponsible."

Sending a first-class letter to each household in the city will cost approximately $1,100, Allie said.

"I don't see why we're rushing to send this out," White said.

Olsman countered that the ordinance, as written, is "resolutely clear" and Allie said the city has the authority to enforce it. So, the commission decided to send a letter now and then include an update on the ordinance clarifications after the August meeting via the quarterly newsletter or with residents' water bills, at no cost.

"A letter, even though it costs money, is an attention-getter," Mayor Ronald Gillham said.