§ 16-6. Collection regulations.

(a)

All solid wastes must be collected, conveyed, and disposed of by the city under the supervision of the city engineer, except as otherwise provided in this chapter. The city engineer has authority to make regulations concerning the days of collection, type, and location of waste containers and such other matters pertaining to the collection, conveyance, and disposal as necessary, and to change and modify the same, and shall give notice thereof by public notice in the official newspaper. Any person aggrieved by a regulation of the city engineer has the right of appeal to the city council which shall confirm, modify, or revoke such regulation following notice to the aggrieved party and a hearing.

(b)

The city engineer has authority to make such reasonable regulations concerning individual collection, transportation and hauling, and disposal of solid waste as deemed necessary, which regulations shall become effective when notice thereof has been given by publication in the official newspaper.

(c)

A person may not place any solid waste in any street, alley, or other public place, or upon any private property within the city except in proper containers or for collection and removal. Nonputrescible solid wastes such as newspapers and magazines may be bundled in bundles not exceeding fifty (50) pounds and more than four (4) feet in length and placed out for collection not more than twenty-four (24) hours before collection.

(d)

Any unauthorized accumulation of garbage or solid waste on any premises is hereby declared to be a nuisance and is prohibited, except as provided in paragraph (l) of this section.

(e)

Any approved waste container, together with solid waste, must be within six (6) feet of an alley accessible to the property. Where no alleys are available, all waste containers must be as accessible as possible and within three (3) feet of the curb. The city engineer may allow a greater distance as conditions require. Waste containers not placed in alleys should be placed out for collection by 7:00 a.m. the day of collection but not before the evening before the day of collection.

(f)

Residential and commercial collections shall be made as often as is necessary to maintain and preserve the health of the community. When streets or alleys are in a temporary condition to make collection impossible, such failure does not relieve the occupant of payment of charges for solid waste collection.

(g)

All solid waste of each residence or place of business shall, if a reasonable amount, be collected during the regular collection times for the standard charge. The city engineer has the authority to refuse to collect unreasonable amounts or to make an additional charge for such amounts.

(h)

The driver and operator or operators of any truck engaged in the collection and removal of solid waste by the city may refuse to collect and remove the same if it does not substantially meet the requirements of this chapter.

(i)

Ownership of solid wastes set out for collection or deposited at any city disposal grounds or facility is vested in the city. It is unlawful for any person other than the owner or other authorized person to remove any refuse material from the solid waste container, storage area, or collection point of another or from any city disposal grounds or facility.

(j)

A person may not burn or cause to be burned any paper, garbage, excelsior, straw, hay, leaves, brush, weeds, dry grass, shavings, rags, barrels, boxes, crates, lumber or other combustible materials or solid waste material in the street, or alleys or on private property within the city, except in an incinerator approved by the state health department.

(k)

Commercial bulk containers may be placed on public right-of-way used as an alley when it is impractical or impossible to store the container entirely on private property. Those containers placed on public right-of-way may not project more than five (5) feet into the alley. The alley must have an unobstructed opening of at least fifteen (15) feet.

(l)

A person may compost grass or leaves collected on the property provided the composting site is operated in a safe and healthful manner and does not create a nuisance. Composting facilities should be approved by the fire and inspections departments.

(m)

All wet solid waste shall have the liquid drained off and shall be wrapped in paper or other absorbent material before it is placed in the waste receptacle, thus preventing odors and the breeding of flies in summer and freezing and adhesion to the receptacle in winter.

(n)

The city engineer shall designate neighborhood collection points within the city and provide the necessary containers for yard wastes. No person shall deposit any solid waste in the city yard waste collection other than yard waste, nor shall any yard waste be placed out for collection or disposed of in the sanitary landfill. Large volume producers of yard wastes shall dispose of yard wastes as directed by the city engineer.

(o)

No person shall place, deposit, or dump any material in a recycling container other than what is indicated as allowable on the container. A recycling container may include any public or private container, dumpster, or receptacle that is clearly signed as being for the deposit of particular materials.

(Ord. No. 1096, 6-5-95; Ord. No. 1237, 4-7-03)