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Council discusses ordinance to tighten enforcement at municipal yard-waste site, including fines and access restrictions
Summary
Staff introduced draft Ordinance 364 to define authorized users of the municipal yard-waste site, list unacceptable materials and create administrative penalties (first offense $100, up to $400 by third offense and possible year-long site ban); council directed staff to refine language and consider administrative citation options.
City staff introduced a proposed ordinance to tighten rules and enforcement at New Prague’s municipal yard-waste site, telling council the change is aimed at reducing illicit dumping and clarifying who may use the facility.
Ken (Planner/staff) outlined draft Ordinance 364, which would define an "authorized user" as a city resident and list unacceptable materials — stumps, plastic bags, root balls, large logs (over 6 inches in diameter), mattresses, furniture, construction debris and dead animals — while allowing only yard waste under 6 inches in diameter from residents. The draft also proposes administrative penalties patterned after license violations: a $100 first offense, escalating to up to $400 by a third offense within 12 months, and potential loss of site use for one year.
Council members asked about enforcement mechanics. Ken and other staff noted existing camera coverage can capture license plates but that daily plate-checking is not currently feasible. Council discussed alternatives including restricted hours, on-site attendants, complaint-based enforcement and coordination with the Charter Commission on administrative citation authority. Staff said some enforcement currently would require court citations unless administrative citations are adopted.
The council did not adopt the ordinance at this meeting but directed staff to clean up the language, clarify definitions (for example, "yard waste" and "clean wood"), add clarity about whether businesses/taxpayers may use the site, and work with the Charter Commission on administrative citations. Matt (staff) and other staff said they would propose specific language for the council to consider at a future meeting.
A council member noted the city relies on residents to police some behaviors and urged better outreach; staff said they can add animal waste and clarify biodegradable bag certification in the draft.
The next steps are drafting clarified language, considering hours or staffing options to make enforcement more manageable, and returning the ordinance for formal introduction or adoption pending Charter Commission review of administrative fines.
