Residents press Del City council over bulk‑trash schedule, phone service and animal‑shelter needs

Several residents used the public‑comment period at the Del City council meeting on June 1 to press elected officials for practical fixes to recurring city services and to urge better care for animals taken to regional shelters.

Joe Satterwhite of Lamar Drive told the council the bulk‑trash rotation is confusing when a month’s first weekday falls on a Monday and urged the city to return to twice‑a‑year pickups or otherwise clarify the schedule. “If you had started on the 1st, you'd have a full week,” Satterwhite said, arguing that the city's current practice leaves residents unsure when crews will collect large items.

Ellen Cotillo, a volunteer at the animal shelter, asked the council to approve a temporary shelter and to take stronger steps to reunite animals with their owners. “When they euthanize animals, this is disgusting,” she said, describing animals left at shelters and asserting that microchipping is a reliable way to identify owners.

Resident Walter Jacks and others urged the city to improve curb appeal and keep gutters and mile‑section roads cleaner, proposing volunteer cleanups supported by limited city logistics. “If you could just take one or two days a week…until the curbs and gutters are all neat and clean,” Jacks said, he and other volunteers would help.

City Manager (unnamed) and public works staff responded during the meeting. Micah Unruh, describing ongoing operations in public works, said a street sweeper recently entered the shop for refurbishment and that a revamped mowing program is being implemented. The city manager said staff will include relevant provisions in a forthcoming mowing contract and encouraged residents to report specific problem locations so crews can respond.

On animal care, council members asked the city manager to talk with the contracted shelter about on‑site dumping and whether additional deterrents — cameras or ticketing — are feasible. Staff noted the city’s current contract with the shelter does not require exclusivity and that the fee is $185 per animal delivered under the agreement.

Council members emphasized support for city employees while also acknowledging resident frustration. Mayor Mary Childers and other council members thanked volunteers and public works crews and urged residents to use existing reporting channels so issues can be tracked and addressed.

The council did not take formal action on the bulk‑trash schedule at this meeting but directed staff to verify calendar posting and to include clearer public guidance. Staff also said they will follow up with the shelter contract partner about measures to discourage dumping and to improve owner reunification.

The council moved from public comment into routine business, including several votes on contracts and ordinances later in the meeting.