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Council discusses intensified trash cleanup and code‑enforcement steps after staff reports thousands of notices issued
Summary
Council and staff outlined a stepped approach to Odessa’s litter, illegal dumping and vacant‑lot problems: city code enforcement reported thousands of notices since January, the chamber set a June 5 business cleanup date, and council urged citations, inmate crews, and contractor use for drill sites and large lots.
City elected officials and staff used the April 8 work session to press for a stepped‑up response to litter, illegal dumping, overflowing dumpsters and abandoned vehicles across Odessa.
The mayor opened the discussion by saying trash is a priority: "Trash is my pet peeve," the mayor said, urging neighborhoods, churches, businesses and school groups to help. The council and staff described a mix of community cleanup events, code enforcement activity and enforcement tools under current city ordinances.
A city code enforcement speaker reported recent enforcement numbers and operational capacity. "We have given a total of 4,621 notices of violations," the speaker said, adding that the department has 14 officers, two field supervisors and one manager. The speaker said officers have given nearly 5,000 notices since January and that during the prior year they issued more than 18,000 notices. Staff also said enforcement crews pick up roughly 50 advertising signs a day from rights of way and that the department is pursuing warrants and liens where owners do not comply.
Council and staff discussed specific tools and limits. Staff said property owners typically have seven days to comply with a notice of violation; officers try to work with residents who request brief extra time to arrange disposal or recycling. Staff said issuing fines without compliance sometimes fails to remove debris because property owners can pay fines and not correct the condition, so staff favor achieving compliance through an ordered cleanup when feasible and using liens and warrants where necessary. Staff also said the city is outsourcing larger cleanups when the street department cannot keep up and that they will request additional budget funding during the next budget cycle for outsourced work.
Several operational changes and community efforts were discussed: moving from open dumpsters to roll‑out trash carts to reduce windblown refuse; asking municipal judges to attach conditions (compliance) to dismissals; involving county resources and inmate crews for highway cleanup; and targeted enforcement of developers and retail chains that do not maintain landscaping or keep trash contained. Renee Earls of the Odessa Chamber of Commerce announced a business cleanup day set for June 5 and staff asked organizations such as Keep Odessa Beautiful and local clubs to increase cleanup frequency.
Councilmembers and members of the public raised related problems such as junk cars on private property. Pastor Miller described a local instance and asked for consistent enforcement; a councilmember invited him and staff to meet after the session to clarify enforcement steps. Mr. Cleaver, a resident, raised concerns about timing of mailed notices and the potential for liens to affect owners who do not receive mail; staff acknowledged the issue and said the city will review policy gaps and bring proposals for clearer procedures.
No formal ordinance change was adopted April 8; the council directed staff to continue enforcement, coordinate with judges and county partners, and pursue outreach and cleanup events.
