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Residents press Clarksdale to remove plastic stockpile, citing mosquito breeding and stalled demolitions
Summary
Residents told the board a plastic-bottle stockpile and other debris at a recycling site has created persistent mosquito-breeding conditions; staff said the owner has been served, the city is pursuing title searches and the recently approved landfill height extension will allow more demolitions once geotechnical work is done.
At the July 15 meeting Frederick McDale told the Clarksdale Board of Commissioners he has repeatedly raised mosquito-breeding conditions at a local recycling site and said the problem has persisted since 2023.
McDale cited city ordinance language on breeding sites and said plastic containers holding rainwater remain on the property, producing mosquitoes he said are creating health and livability problems in surrounding neighborhoods. "When it rains the water collects in those plastic containers, it breeds mosquitoes," he said, adding that he had hired a private company to spray his yard because conditions had not improved after earlier complaints.
City staff told the board the site owner has been served notice and faces citations; staff said the city is pursuing compliance and is working to remove stored materials. Officials also explained that demolition of some properties has been delayed by landfill capacity limits, but that the state (MDQ) has approved a height extension at the city's solid waste disposal site. City staff said the extension and required engineering will allow the city to resume hauling demolished material once geotechnical studies and slope work are completed.
What happened: McDale cited two ordinance provisions (article 5 section 11-60 and section 11-67) that give the city authority over mosquito breeding sites and to remove containers. He asked the board to accelerate enforcement and demolition processes. Staff described steps taken: citations issued, title searches underway and an engineering study planned to enable use of the landfill cell.
Why it matters: Standing water and waste accumulation can increase mosquito populations and public-health risks, especially for children and pets. The issue also ties to the city's capacity to remove demolished structures and to broader blight and cleanup efforts.
Next steps: Staff said it will continue enforcement, pursue removal options with the site owner, complete title searches for demolition candidates and return to the board with a timeline; engineers will be solicited to complete geotechnical work that the landfill extension requires.
