By JAN LARSON McLAUGHLIN
BG Independent News
Bob McOmber never expected his job on city council would mean cruising through neighborhoods scouting out garbage bins.
“I’ve spent more time than I could ever imagine looking at trash receptacles,” McOmber said Monday evening. He isn’t alone. Fellow Bowling Green council members Daniel Gordon and John Zanfardino have also been driving city streets trying to come up with reasonable rules for garbage bins.
The three discussed possible rule changes Monday evening during a Community Improvement Committee meeting before the council meeting.
Brian Craft, city utilities director, suggested the rules require all bins to have lids closed when placed out at the curb. Any bin with a “pyramid of garbage” will not be picked up, for two reasons, Craft said. First, when being lifted, the tall trash often spills on the ground, and second, if the lid blows open it can be broken off by the arm that lifts the trash into the truck.
Craft also suggested that bins sitting out along the road on non-collection days be picked up by the city, with a citation and $25 fine given to the resident. Just today, the trash crew picked up bins at the curb on East Reed Street after neighbors complained.
“The containers were sitting on the curb for weeks on end,” he said. “That’s the hammer to get people’s attention.”
Zanfardino asked if civil infractions could be issued rather than the cans being confiscated. But Craft said that response would be too slow for most unhappy neighbors. “A citation doesn’t really correct the problem,” he said.
The biggest issue, however, remains unsolved. That is – where can residents store their trash bins on days when they are not being collected at the curb? Gordon said he has received several emails from residents wanting simple language explaining where the bins can be stored. Most agree the cans should not be stored in front of a home.
Zanfardino said 16 citizens sent emails to all members of council, with 15 supporting restrictions. Such a response was notable, he said. “When people take the time to address full council, it’s significant.”
But McOmber cautioned that if council adopts language banning garbage bins from being visible from the street, more than a couple thousand homes may be affected. Not everyone has a garage large enough for storing the cans.
“We’re legislating for the masses,” he said. “The whole community isn’t Stone Ridge or Larch Landing.”
One option would be to allow trash cans on the side of homes, as long as screening covers them from view. Zanfardino asked if the city could adopt some type of nuisance ordinance for residents whose bins and litter become eyesores, such as “pyramids of trash.”
But Gordon warned that the city shouldn’t water down any rules. Other communities, such as Kent, have implemented rules without an outcry from residents. Though some Bowling Green residents have complained about having to cart their trash bins from the front yard, Gordon suggested that their concerns are “overblown.”
“I think the question is, is that asking too much?” Gordon said.
Gordon also expressed concern that if city residents are so resistant to this small change, how will they respond to the neighborhood revitalization being planned by the city on the east side of the community.
“I have to think the proposals in that plan will be far more reaching,” he said.
The committee will meet again to discuss possible trash receptacle rules on July 5 at 6 p.m. Council is hoping to hear more input from citizens on the topic.
Some residents spoke up on the issue Monday evening during city council meeting.
Gary Hess reminded council that its land use plan calls for the city to enhance the quality of life by improving aesthetics and making good first impressions. Setting standards for garbage bin replacement would be “an encouraging step” toward those goals.
Lori Young shared photographs taken earlier in the day showing garbage on porches, and parking lots for rental units that have had the same trash piled up for weeks. Old appliances, TVs and furniture can sit for months before being picked up.
“They’re there because they are not being addressed,” Young said.
Ginny Stewart, a downtown business owner, said the issue affects more than residential areas. “Slum-like” conditions don’t help Bowling Green businesses compete with those in Perrysburg or Findlay.
“What kind of image are we sending to people?” Stewart asked. “It’s hard enough to be a small business.”
Matt Bostdorff suggested that the city do a better job of enforcing the rules already in place, and somehow encourage residents to work on curb appeal. “How do we get people to want to want to pick up because they are part of something bigger?”
City council member Bruce Jeffers agreed. “I think a lot of people take a lot of pride in their property,” he said, suggesting that others be encouraged to do the same. “Maybe a little more carrot to go along with the stick.”
