Title
An Ordinance to amend Chapter 17, Garbage and Trash, and Appendix A, Fee Schedule of the Code of the City of Rock Hill concerning solid waste.
Body
This ordinance provides for the following enhancements to the existing Solid Waste Ordinance:
The implementation of the YardCart program has demonstrated needed modification of the Solid Waste (Garbage & Trash) Ordinance to assist with enforcement relating to residents not participating in the program and continuing to place loose yard debris at the curb. A minimum fifty dollar fee will be assessed when the Public Works Department is required to provide extra service when picking up loose debris from the curbside. Other changes include language to enhance enforcement of illegal dumping and deterring the blowing of debris into public streets. Additionally, updated definitions ensure the local code matches state and federal laws.
Ordinance updates relating to loose yard debris supports the implementation of the YardCart program. Currently the ordinance directs that residents place yardwaste loose at the curb. This update will provide that loose yardwaste must be placed in the YardCart except during leaf season. Those who choose not to comply with the ordinance would be charged for special pickups and these fees would be included on the Utility Bill. The revision clearly defines the customer's responsibility for placing all applicable debris in the Yardcart. If the City is required to send equipment to a residence to remove loose yardwaste (which could be placed in the YardCart(s)), then charges will be assessed for this service. We will make every attempt to avoid this process but it may be necessary when our customers refuse to buy a yard cart and they continue placing loose yard debris at the curb.
Large brush from major pruning and clearing activities (less than 6 inches in diameter and less than 12 feet in length) would still be serviced without any additional charges; however, the placement of this type debris should not occur every week.
The existing ordinance does not address blowing yard waste (such as grass clippings, other debris, or litter) into public streets which is clearly defined as an ordinance violation in the revision. Currently we cannot enforce this as a violation. This addition would support the City’s implementation of the YardCart program in keeping debris out of public streets and enhance the appearance of our community.
An additional issue is that illegal dumping is not clearly defined. We are having difficulty in prosecuting those who we find dumping garbage illegally within the corporate limits. Currently this type of dumping activity can only be sited by a Rock Hill Police Department as it is written on state tickets. The proposed change would allow the environmental enforcement officers authority to issue violations and prosecute these cases.
Staff recommends the approval of these ordinance changes.