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West Branch council adopts new yard-waste rules, fines for improper dumping
Summary
On May 19 the council adopted Ordinance 826 to establish a designated city yard-waste site, require separation of yard waste and allow only biodegradable bags for curbside yard-waste collection; the measure sets escalating fines for improper disposal. Council also adopted changes to collection-fee language in Ordinance 827.
West Branch — The West Branch City Council on May 19 adopted code changes that tighten rules for yard waste and revise collection-fee language in the municipal code.
Ordinance No. 826 updates Chapter 105 (Solid Waste Control) to replace the term “wood pile” with “yard waste site,” require property owners to separate yard waste from other solid waste, and allow yard waste to be composted on premises, placed in biodegradable bags for curbside pickup or hauled to the designated city yard waste site. The ordinance also creates site-specific rules: the city site is for residents only, accepts leaves, grass clippings and yard brush (branches must be under 18 inches in diameter), and prohibits stumps and non-yard materials. Penalties for improper disposal are set at $250 for a first offense, $500 for a second and $750 for a third or subsequent offense. The ordinance takes effect after passage, approval and publication as required by law.
Councilmember Jerry Sexton moved approval of the third reading of Ordinance 826; Mike Horihan seconded. The motion carried with AYES recorded from Sexton, Horihan, Colton Miller, Tom Dean and Jodee Stoolman.
At the same meeting the council adopted Ordinance No. 827, which replaces section 106.08 (Collection Fees) with a provision declaring solid-waste collection and disposal to be beneficial to the property served and referencing a schedule of collection fees that will be kept on file at City Hall. The ordinance text cites the Iowa case Goreham v. Des Moines (179 N.W.2d 449 [Iowa 1970]) in support of the fee structure. Tom Dean moved approval of the third reading and Colton Miller seconded; the vote was unanimous.
What this changes: residents should expect clearer direction on how to prepare and dispose of yard waste (biodegradable bags only for curbside collection at permitted times, and use of the city yard-waste site for permitted materials). The city also now has an explicit penalty schedule for noncompliance and a single reference location for the schedule of collection fees.
The ordinances were approved as part of the council’s regular meeting and will be effective following the required publication steps.
