Council debates removing $25 appeal fee for trash-can violations, suggests refunds when appeals succeed and wider outreach for medical pickup program

Council discussed a proposal from Ward 6 Councilman Monte Harris to amend Barberton Codified Ordinance BCO 1060.99b to eliminate the $25 fee charged to residents who appeal trash‑can (branch) violations.

Harris said eliminating the fee would remove a barrier for residents who are medically unable to bring cans in but want to contest a ticket. "If they're medically ill…can you just stand up and briefly go through that so we all know?" he asked of the administration regarding how residents obtain medical pickup.

Several council members, including committee chair Garrett and Councilman Heideck, cautioned that removing the fee could inundate the Board of Code Appeals with routine or frivolous appeals. Heideck recommended keeping a fee for filing an appeal but refunding it if the appellant prevails: "If the appeal is granted, maybe waive the fee," he said.

Administration staff described current medical pickup procedures: a resident submits a medical note from a treating physician to the city (email, fax or in person) and the service will be added to the medical pickup list; staff said turnaround is generally quick. Council discussed adding a reminder about the medical pickup option to the paper water bill to improve outreach to households less likely to see online notices.

Members also discussed enforcement timelines and noted that building inspectors typically allow 48 hours (rather than 24) before issuing a violation to account for pickup scheduling and collection times. Committee agreed to hold the proposed code amendment for further drafting to incorporate operational safeguards such as refund-on-success language and outreach about the medical pickup program.