Get Full Government Meeting Transcripts, Videos, & Alerts Forever!
Get email alerts on the Code Enforcement topic
No spam. Unsubscribe anytime.
Council adopts update to solid‑waste enforcement process, retains removal requirement
Summary
Council approved Ordinance 25‑15 to modernize enforcement procedures for solid‑waste container violations, moving enforcement from a city hearing officer process to standard civil infraction procedures.
The City Council on Aug. 12 adopted Ordinance 25‑15 revising Pullman’s solid‑waste code to modernize enforcement procedures and align the process with standard civil infraction practice.
Police Chief Aaron Brashears explained the change updates the enforcement procedure for violations such as leaving solid‑waste containers on the street more than 24 hours. The ordinance replaces a dated reference to a “city hearing officer” with the standard civil‑infraction process handled by district court, while keeping the substantive code requirement that containers be removed within 24 hours. The violation remains a Class 3 civil infraction, the lowest civil penalty tier.
Brashears said the city approaches these issues primarily through education and warnings and that infraction notices have been rare. Councilmembers asked how enforcement is handled in areas such as College Hill and how cases are tracked; Brashears said code enforcement officers perform proactive patrols in problem areas and staff log incidents, but the department generally prefers an education‑first approach.
A voice vote approved the ordinance; the council recorded no objections in the meeting minutes.
