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Resident says city leaf burning at brush site makes her 'physically sick,' urges composting
Summary
Resident Linda Fischer told the Vinton City Council she has been made 'physically sick' by smoke from open burning at the city brush/compost site and cited DNR guidance and Iowa Code; councilors and staff said they would review DNR rules and noted the city operates compost piles.
Linda Fischer told the Vinton City Council during public comment that recurring smoke from the city's brush and compost site has made her "physically sick" and urged the council to stop open burning and convert the site to true composting.
"I'm tired of having to deal with all the smoke and getting physically sick from it," Fischer said, noting she filed a complaint with the Iowa Department of Natural Resources last summer and citing DNR guidance and Iowa Code (transcript citation given as section 567, 23.23b). She offered to help the city transition to a functioning compost operation and asked the council to examine alternatives to burning.
Councilors and staff responded that they would review the DNR guidance Fischer cited. One staff speaker said the facility had been brought into compliance efforts and that "Only time we burnt this week is today. So, whatever you smelled Monday was your neighbors." Later in the meeting, staff clarified that the city operates a leaf pile and a grass pile and that staff had screened the piles in the three days before the meeting.
City staff agreed to "read this code and make sure we're in compliance," and invited Fischer to help with meetings or planning if she wished. No formal motion or directive was recorded at the meeting; the matter was discussed and staff signaled they would follow up and review the statute and DNR guidance.
Background and context: Fischer emphasized public-health impacts, saying smoke had caused physical symptoms in her household. She referenced a DNR provision that restricts open burning and sets siting and supervision requirements for government-operated burning sites. City staff said they had taken steps to screen compost piles and will review operating practices in light of the DNR guidance.
What happens next: Councilors did not set a formal deadline at the meeting but told Fischer they would read the cited code and check compliance; staff indicated willingness to meet with DNR specialists offered to assist. The council's follow-up on this item will likely appear in staff reports at a future meeting.
