[{"_1":2,"_87":-5,"_88":-5},"loaderData",{"_3":4,"_26":27},"root",{"_5":6,"_17":10,"_18":19,"_20":21,"_22":10,"_23":-5,"_24":-5,"_25":10},"user",{"_7":8,"_9":10,"_11":10,"_12":-5,"_13":-5,"_14":15,"_16":-5},"roles",[],"isAuthenticated",false,"isPremium","planName","subscriptionStatus","featureFlags",{},"insightsBudget","isDevelopmentHost","userPreferences",{},"recaptchaSiteKey","6LcvOJcUAAAAAHsB-gPGfGktcRlKpH7OTIU_dMTD","isImpersonating","impersonation","affiliateStatus","isFreedomPortal","routes/v2/article/layout",{"_28":29,"_30":31},"notFound",true,"relatedArticles",[32,75],{"_33":34,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":40,"_41":42,"_43":44,"_45":46,"_47":48,"_49":50,"_51":52,"_53":54,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":60,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":66,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},"mediaId",6158130,"mediaKeyId","5461386-9a77f1d27b3e118b9540484599e02883","parentId",5461386,"title","Sanitation officials explain bulk pickup, cart rules and how to report hoarding or debris in Muncie","audioSeconds",374,"startMs",1511000,"endMs",1885000,"viewUrl","/Search/View?dp=1&key=5461386-9a77f1d27b3e118b9540484599e02883&start=1511&end=1885","thumbnailUrl","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5461386-9a77f1d27b3e118b9540484599e02883/thumbnail_1511000.jpg","articleUrl","/articles/6158130/Muncie-City/Delaware-County/Indiana/Sanitation-officials-explain-bulk-pickup-cart-rules-and-how-to-report-hoarding-or-debris-in-Muncie","mediaUrl","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6158130-04e048497410c55b2db11f867f6bb239/orig.mp4?Expires=1770995437&Signature=otXU5SEoLbwzEP7cEZymyzomN7pKwfuOWYfx3u7cZ9EWB8~N7Kmh~57~v~k4rRUEGt-9lhoBk90vKS0JxBROpcx1kBcydAtcCrKCWrEfDfxZP57Re01QO-78rK3Vua9pBumulM0Cy~MqjPq-tXM2vM70yQ8ZHSBGL90V~ocxw3v6mI7iyeraAnbDAWhxChRY-T8JcClXvuLpHaDmg5dJ6MjRqBu0mpIyIpzq3zq8GnGoFQp0z-H54XSR2anDqlHa1d493~Z3ANeG5YJ39nkqyjGlk93JNUMiIbxanIT57PDZj9VEHHMCW16B4WoF11rG~bXTx59qIwoKx0Ul4j~Jhw__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","author","City of Muncie, IN","date","2025-07-24T00:00:00Z","article","Jason Dinetti, superintendent of sanitation and recycling for the Muncie Sanitary District, told the Land and Traffic Committee the district handles illegal dumping, overflowing trash carts, bulk items and some hoarding‑adjacent issues and works closely with code enforcement and the health department on cases that involve safety or habitability concerns.

Dinetti told the committee the sanitation department has four code enforcement officers and an online form on its website for reporting problems; the department’s main phone number is (765) 747‑4865. He outlined common rules: trash carts should not be left in public view after collection hours, carts should be out by 7 a.m. on collection day, and unbagged trash that blows around is a code concern. The district also schedules a grapple (\"Peterson\") bulk truck that runs routes on regular trash days to pick up mattresses, couches and brush that meet size guidelines.

Dinetti said the bulk truck is intended for residential items that \"don't fit in your tote\" and that the department does not pick up construction material or contractor debris; those are the homeowner’s or contractor’s responsibility. For appliances and electronics, Dinetti asked residents to call ahead; electronics can be taken to eCentral Recycling free of charge. He cautioned that bulky items must be laid flat at the curb and not blocked by parked cars for safe pickup.

Committee members raised hoarding and unsafe‑house concerns involving elderly residents whose yards and driveways were cluttered. Building Commissioner Richard Rawlings and Dinetti said outside accumulation is enforceable; in‑house hoarding and conditions inside a dwelling fall to the health department and have more limited remedies. Rawlings reiterated that the city can tag external debris, give a notice period and, if necessary, perform mowing or cleanup and recover costs through liens or tax billing.

Dinetti suggested a short, printed \"who to call\" pamphlet listing contact numbers and responsibilities for the sanitation district, building department, police and the health department. He noted a similar printout prepared by a former superintendent exists on the sanitation website but needs updating; committee members asked staff to coordinate to publish a consolidated directory and to make it available in the city lobby and on agency websites.

Officials said sanctions vary by the problem: trash and debris may get a 10‑day notice before court referral; mowing after notice can be performed by the city and charged to property taxes (the building commissioner said an administrative fee of about $100 plus hourly labor costs is charged; staff estimated an average yard cleanup at about $300). Dinetti closed by encouraging residents to use the department’s online form or call (765) 747‑4865 so staff can investigate and determine corrective action.

No new policy or budget appropriation was proposed during the meeting; committee members requested that agencies create a consolidated contact pamphlet and that staff follow up on the specific addresses raised by residents.","mediaType","Video","parentTitle","Muncie City Land & Traffic Committee Meeting July 23rd 2025","oneSentenceSummary","The Muncie sanitary superintendent described rules for bulk pickups, expectations for trash carts, and how sanitation, health and code offices coordinate on hoarding and unsafe‑house complaints. Officials urged residents to use online forms or call the sanitation office for faster response.","taxTitle","Muncie City, Delaware County, Indiana","taxId",4306,"location","headline","","shortSummary",{"_33":76,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":77,"_41":78,"_43":79,"_45":80,"_47":81,"_49":82,"_51":83,"_53":84,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":85,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":86,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6158133,"Muncie residents press committee on front‑yard parking, officials explain enforcement process",804,95000,899000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=5461386-9a77f1d27b3e118b9540484599e02883&start=95&end=899","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5461386-9a77f1d27b3e118b9540484599e02883/thumbnail_95000.jpg","/articles/6158133/Muncie-City/Delaware-County/Indiana/Muncie-residents-press-committee-on-frontyard-parking-officials-explain-enforcement-process","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6158133-162bee268fd94938deac69567aaa7a81/orig.mp4?Expires=1770995437&Signature=EEkOo6e7PKz3iBRj3Si2N8re4V96bf4jYsDBnNNFRfL2m976Sk2CnWgtYKXX3OGb5b4lQvVjPbhNTKbyEfhiu7hDyXAd2EanSkNQC8cQnyGursexBPy9SjI5os-DqRs10bmXIW-vFwE4LPgs4UFmZAkTDhM0j4o8q~0bmZBmhbIa7f632JE0JNrsd7F9VMX9uCR53EaVkkn9gLPFrqBK8-HHf0Lnvb67u7rSou4JzPzVKEt0c05koZ8IPfnbbL4QxKQP5LT4d5M~PcMRMlSQSY~6PpeiILh2ddD80XzQtRep4jbRg7hDuDeFHJ0SbdZaR6nFCPjnE7PRp74aAFoZvQ__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Several Muncie residents told the Land and Traffic Committee that boats, trailers and trucks have been parked in front yards for long periods and that they were told the city could not enforce the ordinance. The building commissioner and Muncie police described how enforcement works, where authority rests, and how residents can document and report problems.

The complaint came from a resident who said the city’s parking ordinance \"prohibits parking in the front yards\" and that some neighbors had vehicles that \"haven't been moved in a year and a half.\" Building Commissioner Richard Rawlings and police officials told the committee the rules still exist, but that different kinds of parking and vehicle problems fall to different offices and, in some cases, to state law.

The distinction matters because abandoned‑vehicle cases are handled under state code while front‑yard parking and other improper parking are enforced under the city’s ordinance. Chief Sloan of the Muncie Police Department told the committee the city \"lost several ordinances\" previously and has relied on the state statute for abandoned vehicles; he said items such as parking in a front yard remain under city code. Officer Darren Clark, who works in police code enforcement, said a call will prompt a visit and that officers will enforce when they find a violation.

Officials walked through the process for residents: report the problem, provide date‑stamped photos if possible, and the appropriate office will follow up. Commissioner Rawlings asked residents to email images to him at rrawlings@muncieindiana.gov; police code complaints may be sent to the department’s parking division at (765) 747‑4883 or routed through dispatch for after‑hours reports. Chief Sloan also suggested calling the police chief’s office at 747‑4822 if callers do not get a response.

Commissioner Rawlings and the police said enforcement includes issuing notices and tickets. Officer Clark said enforcement actions had been taken in the area: \"On Jan. 9 there were three tickets written for parking in the front yard,\" and another ticket was written on Feb. 7 for parking violations in the neighborhoods cited. Rawlings and Clark explained that city practice is to tag a violation, give a 10‑day notice for corrective action, and, if the owner does not comply, the city can levy fines, pursue court action and in some cases perform mowing or cleanup and place charges on the owner’s property tax bill.

Officials briefed the committee on technical definitions that affect enforcement. The city ordinance defines a front yard by a line across the front wall of the house to the lot lines and to the street right‑of‑way; Officer Clark said parking rules are codified in the city parking code (referred to in the meeting as \"chapter 77 of the ordinance\"). For abandoned vehicles, police cited the state motor‑vehicle code language the department uses to determine whether a vehicle is abandoned and subject to state enforcement.

Officials also explained practical limitations: daytime patrols may not observe a vehicle that is parked only overnight, so they asked residents to supply date‑ and time‑stamped photographs. Rawlings said staff are working on website improvements that will make it easier to submit tips and that photos sent to his email will be accepted for follow‑up. Committee members and officials discussed the difficulty of addressing vehicles or trailers that are partially on gravel or show driveway rutting; Rawlings said staff would inspect the examples residents provided.

The committee received no new ordinance or policy from the meeting. Instead, officials clarified responsibilities for enforcement and reiterated the reporting steps residents should take. The meeting closed with committee direction to circulate contact information and for staff to pursue the specific addresses raised by speakers so inspectors can follow up.","Residents told the Land and Traffic Committee they see boats, trailers and trucks parked in front yards and said enforcement has been inconsistent. Building and police officials described which rules the city enforces, how abandoned‑vehicle cases use state law, and how residents should report violations.","actionData","errors"]

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Sanitation officials explain bulk pickup, cart rules and how to report hoarding or debris in Muncie

Muncie residents press committee on front‑yard parking, officials explain enforcement process