Brookhaven board discusses tightening yard‑debris ordinance after pickup disputes

Alderman Jennifer Howard Tate pressed the Brookhaven City Board to tighten and clarify the city's yard‑debris ordinance, saying inconsistent guidance to residents and crews has left elderly and assisted residents at a disadvantage. "The ordinance does not say that the person has to be a resident," Tate said, arguing that helpers should not be treated as contractors and that rules must be clear and fair.

Mayor Bobby Milk and the city attorney said staff prepared an amended version of the ordinance for review and asked the board and public to examine the revision. The attorney told the board to disregard an earlier draft (section 40‑28) because the language was redrafted; the mayor said the amended version will be posted on the city's Facebook page for public review.

Tate highlighted operational difficulty for crews deciding whether debris was placed by a contractor or a neighbor helping a resident, and she asked for a rule that accounts for older residents who cannot move limbs to the curb. "How do we determine if a contractor's doing it?" Tate asked, adding that enforcement must be consistent: "Whatever serves Mary needs to serve Jane."

The mayor said crews have sometimes picked up debris to avoid confusion, but he also emphasized that the city has rules and that staff will continue enforcing them. He told the board he will work with staff to provide the amended language for board discussion.

Next steps: the board will circulate the amended ordinance draft and consider it at a future meeting or work session so members can discuss concerns with constituents and with the attorney.