At the Nov. 24 meeting councilmembers received the first reading of Ordinance O25050, sponsored by Councilmember Bonnie Enloe, which would amend prior ordinance O18269 to require fenced enclosures around dumpsters within city limits and to add a civil penalty of $100 per violation per day.

The city attorney/city clerk read the ordinance language and summarized key provisions: each unenclosed dumpster would be a separate violation; repeated days constitute separate violations; payment of a penalty would not relieve owners of the duty to remedy the violation; and the change was designed to align penalties with the city’s property-maintenance ordinance.

Council discussion focused on balancing aesthetic and safety goals with impacts on local businesses. Councilmember Mike asked whether the fine could be lower ($75) to ease burdens on businesses; the mayor and staff said the intent is not punitive, that code enforcement will first work with owners and that staff has discretion to negotiate solutions and avoid requiring expensive fences where sight-line adjustments suffice. Staff said no citations/fines had yet been collected under the new approach and encouraged property owners to contact code enforcement to resolve issues before fines are applied.

Next steps: staff asked council members to submit any questions within the week and said the ordinance would return for a vote at a subsequent meeting after the council has had time to review details and discuss implementation with code enforcement.