Bell Gardens keeps new street‑sweeping hours to meet stormwater permit; staff recommends receive and file

The city’s director of public works, Bernie Iniguez, presented an update on residential street sweeping and explained that changes to posted sweeping hours were made to ensure compliance with the city’s municipal stormwater (MPDES) permit. The revised schedule shifts hours north of several streets to 10 a.m.–2 p.m. in order to allow sweepers sufficient time after trash pickup and reduce pollutant loads entering the storm system.

Iniguez said Nationwide, the city’s contracted sweeper, modified 148 signs and began operating under the new hours on July 28; the city will issue warnings instead of citations for a 10‑week adaptation period and resume enforcement on Oct. 5. He emphasized that street sweeping “acts as a tool to prevent stormwater pollution.” Council members asked about map legibility, alley sweeping, bulky obstructions and citation appeals. Staff noted four known citations would be voided and said citations issued before July 28 could be appealed through the police department. The director warned that failure to comply with the stormwater permit could expose the city to fines up to $10,000 per day.

After discussion the council moved to receive and file the staff report; the motion passed on roll call. Staff noted possible alternatives (same‑day extended schedule or sweeping each side on different days) but recommended no changes now because the current plan maximizes compliance without added city costs.