Committee approves rules and schedule for downtown dumpster decorating contest

The Keep Durant Beautiful Committee approved revised rules and a schedule for a downtown dumpster decorating contest after addressing concerns about city code, mural rules and how to enforce designs.

Committee members settled key contest rules: entries must include a drawing of the proposed design signed by the business owner; the final painted dumpster must match the submitted drawing; designs will be reviewed and approved by the Keep Durant Beautiful Committee rather than routed to the city manager; and entries may be submitted in person or by email (committee to provide an email address before materials are mailed). The contest will be canceled if fewer than 10 businesses enter.

After discussion about the city’s code on dumpster enclosures, committee members noted City Code 156.066(c) (as cited in the meeting) requires dumpsters to be screened or enclosed and recognized that enforcement varies across properties. Committee members agreed the contest should not require businesses to violate existing code and that the contest should focus on smaller commercial dumpsters (less than three cubic yards) or dumpsters that are accessible for painting.

Dates and logistics chosen by the committee: - Notice distribution: appear in the utility billing cycle in February and March (link to printable form to be posted to the city website and included in bills). - Entry deadline: March 28 (form and drawing due by that date, submitted in person or by email). - Judging: Saturday, May 17 (judging day). - Minimum entries: contest will be canceled if fewer than 10 businesses enter.

Operational and accountability measures adopted included requiring the submitted drawing to be signed by the business owner and an acknowledgement that the installed artwork must match the approved submission. Committee members said nonconforming installations would risk disqualification; the committee reserved the right to remove or paint over inappropriate designs.

The committee also discussed related regulations: committee members observed that a separate mural ordinance requires city manager approval for murals, but the committee decided it would review and approve dumpster designs itself to avoid additional administrative delay. Committee members agreed to post the contest form and instructions on the city and chamber websites and to promote the contest on the city Facebook page.

A motion to approve the changes to the dumpster decorating contest passed by roll call (Board member Knight: yes; Board member Solis: yes; Board member Horstley: aye; Board member Sutter: yes; Chairman Miller: yes).

The committee directed staff to: - Provide a finalized email address and produce the contest form for inclusion in the February and March utility bills. - Publish contest materials to the city website and social media and coordinate with the Chamber of Commerce for outreach.

Votes at a glance: - Motion to approve changes to the Downtown Dumpster Decorating Contest and set dates and submission rules: approved unanimously by roll call.