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Valley Center council votes to reopen city brush pile one weekend each month
Summary
After extended public comment and council debate about burning, hauling costs and nuisance enforcement, the Valley Center City Council voted 7–1 to reopen the brush pile on the third Friday and Saturday of each month (8 a.m.–5 p.m.) on a trial basis and to return with an operational report.
Valley Center’s City Council voted on May 5 to reopen the city’s brush pile one weekend per month on a trial basis, directing staff to monitor the site, pursue modest enforcement tools and report back at the next meeting.
The decision followed nearly three hours of public testimony and council discussion about alternative disposal methods, past mismanagement and the costs of hauling or controlled burns. Resident John Friend, a frequent user of the facility, told the council the site is “very cost effective” for residents and urged officials to consider options such as more open Saturdays or a small per‑use fee to keep the service available.
Council debate focused on two trade‑offs: the lower cost of burning versus nuisance smoke complaints and the budgetary impact of hauling and staffing. Resident Mark Burks urged action and blamed earlier mismanagement for large piles that forced expensive contractor intervention. “Fix it, make it go away,” Burks said, arguing many residents cannot afford the $31.85 minimum fee he cited for the Brooks Landfill.
City staff described options to limit problems if the pile reopens: gating and limited hours, a paid part‑time attendant or duty staff rounds, trail cameras to deter illegal dumping and fines where evidence allows. A contractor quote for hauling (Arbor Masters) was cited at $575 per load; staff and the city finance director warned there are no free options and that overtime staffing costs could be substantial.
Police and fire staff told the council burning remains legally possible at the current site if conditions and permits are met, but cautioned that larger piles have generated ash and smoke that drew complaints in the past. “We can burn there,” the police chief said, while warning that smoke control and weather conditions can limit burn days.
Weighing community demand and fiscal risks, Council member Jeanne moved to open the brush pile on the third Friday and Saturday of each month from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. The motion was seconded and passed on a voice vote, 7–1. Council directed staff to install monitoring cameras as practicable, begin the pilot schedule, reexamine the program at the following meeting and continue researching longer‑term options such as leasing an off‑site, fenced location or instituting a pay‑per‑use mechanism.
The council’s short‑term plan is intended to provide a supervised, regular disposal option for residents while staff develops cost estimates, enforcement procedures and contingency plans if piles grow too large between openings. The council noted that if a scheduled opening produces a pile that cannot be safely burned under the next available conditions, staff may skip the subsequent opening and escalate hauling as needed.
Council members said they hoped the trial approach balances resident needs, budget constraints and nuisance control. The council voted 7–1 to reopen the brush pile under the outlined pilot, and asked staff to return with data and a recommended long‑term plan.
