Council considers ordinance requiring concrete pads and enclosures for commercial dumpsters

Staff presented a proposed amendment to the city’s code of ordinances to require concrete pads and enclosures for commercial solid waste containers and dumpsters. The proposed change would add requirements to the sanitation section of the municipal code and establish a compliance timeframe for existing nonconforming installations.

Why it matters: council members said the amendment would clean up visible commercial dumpsters and reduce nuisance and safety issues. Staff noted enforcement would follow adoption and that existing nonconforming dumpsters would be given a four‑month period to comply once an enforcement process is initiated.

Details: staff said the ordinance text would require commercial closures to be built on concrete pads and behind enclosures, and that the amendment could contain temporary exemptions or rules for roll‑off dumpsters used for short‑term construction or debris removal. Council members discussed defining “temporary” (example: 21 days) and adding language about potential penalties and the timeline for compliance; staff said they had already spoken with at least one business owner who would be able to comply within the four‑month window.

Enforcement: staff said the city would provide notice and a compliance period; Southern Sanitation representatives were reported to allow access where dumpsters are locked or require combinations/keys for service. No ordinance adoption vote occurred at the meeting; staff will return with a draft ordinance for council consideration.