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Downtown business owner tells Monticello council dumpsters, lack of notice hinder customers and accessibility
Summary
A Charter Street business owner told the council overflowing and obstructive dumpsters have blocked her entrance and a handicapped-accessible sidewalk; city staff said it terminated the previous municipal waste-hauler contract and signed a new agreement to begin Jan. 1 and will press the new hauler to address pickups.
At the public-comment portion of the Dec. 8 Monticello City Council meeting, small business owner Tammy Boyd described persistent problems with multiple dumpsters placed around her storefront on Charter Street, saying they have blocked customer access and a handicapped-accessible sidewalk.
"I literally have 2 corners. I'm on the corner. I'm surrounded by dumpsters," Boyd said, adding she had photographs of overflowing containers including 30- to 40-yard dumpsters and smaller 2-yard bins. She told council she was not notified by property owners or city staff about placement and said a dumpster once blocked the sidewalk used by her handicapped clients.
Council and staff responded that some dumpsters placed in the roadway are permitted for building work, and that the city had recently taken over the municipal collection contract after terminating the previous hauler. City Administrator Terry said the city signed a new contract and expected the new contractor to start service Jan. 1; staff said they would contact the hauler to request prompt pickup and removal of overflowing containers.
Several council members and other residents urged prompt cleanup and better communication between property owners, tenants and the permitting or permitting-technician office so businesses receive notice when temporary dumpsters are placed for construction. One council member asked staff to follow up and, where possible, move two-yard dumpsters out of alleys to the location planned for the permanent enclosure.
Boyd asked whether the city could explore using the old jail lot or other nearby spaces for additional downtown parking; staff said they would check coordination with the county and report back. City staff also acknowledged the city monitors parking and enforcement on the square.
The mayor and staff said they would investigate the specific complaints Boyd raised and work to coordinate dumpster management and communications with property owners and the new hauler.
