Leavenworth resident urges subsidized, required bear‑resistant bins after repeated human‑bear encounters

Marwa, a Leavenworth resident who works in wildlife fields, told the council she recently had to use bear spray to deter a bear eating neighbors' trash and warned that "a fed bear is a dead bear." She urged the city to require and subsidize bear‑resistant containers for residents and businesses to stop habituation, citing examples of dumpsters at the Autumn House Apartments that have been repeatedly breached.

Local business owner Hans Boulders said commercial garbage was ripped open at his property and warned the community is already losing bears: "We've already killed 5," he said, urging decisive local action and financial support to install secure bins. Both commenters noted Waste Management offers a bear‑resistant service option for about $15 per month but said many residents and businesses lack the means or storage to use it without help.

Council members acknowledged the problem and the need for multi‑jurisdictional coordination. Councilmember (speaker 10) told the meeting the parks and public works committee will explore multiple solutions with staff and waste‑service providers, and that one size does not fit all. No ordinance or funding decision was made at the meeting; staff and committee follow‑up were announced as the next steps.