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Clawson DDA debates downtown trash, parking and business concerns after street protests
Summary
Board members discussed a rising downtown trash bill (DDA pays $27,000 annually), illegal dumping patterns and uneven dumpster service; members also debated how to notify and support businesses after protesters used bullhorns on a Saturday morning and followed police notification rules.
At its March meeting the Clawson DDA devoted extended discussion to two operational issues affecting downtown businesses: recurring trash and parking costs, and the impact of street protests on commerce.
On trash and parking, board members said illegal dumping and inconsistent dumpster pickup schedules have driven up service needs. The DDA currently spends roughly $27,000 a year on downtown trash service, a line item the city matches. Members described crowded dumpsters behind several businesses, argued about pickup frequency (staff reported three to five pickups per week depending on location), and asked the parking & trash committee to reconvene to produce options, including cost‑share models for restaurants and targeted changes to pickup schedules.
Board members noted that some dumpsters receive little use while others (near Noble and the Whiskey Taco lot) overflow. Suggestions included evaluating relocation of dumpsters, increasing pickup frequency in high‑use areas, or implementing a consumption‑based fee structure for downtown commercial users; members also recommended surveying comparable DDAs for best practices.
The board also addressed complaints from business owners who said a recent Saturday morning protest — with bullhorns near a downtown intersection — made some customers uncomfortable and impeded access. Staff said protest organizers notified the police and followed ordinance procedures; police representatives told the board that when protests comply with permits, the city must allow them in public right‑of‑way. Members asked staff to prepare an FAQ for businesses explaining legal rights, how to report disorderly behavior, and a notification process so business owners receive timely notice of planned protests.
No new ordinances were proposed. The board directed staff and the parking & trash committee to return with concrete proposals on dumpster pickup frequency, possible budget adjustments, and a business notification plan regarding permitted protests.
