By the numbers
260: Dump sites cleaned up by Solid Waste District environment enforcement officers in 2015.
17: Arrests made by officers in 2015.
42.5: Tons of illegally dumped trash cleaned up by officers.
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City commissioners approved changes to an ordinance clarifying that property owners must provide licensed trash service, which Springfield leaders hope will reduce illegal dumping and allow environmental officers to better enforce the law.
The ordinance was approved by a vote of 4-1 with Commissioner Joyce Chilton opposing the proposal.
“It brings clarity to who deputies speak with to resolve an issue at a property (without trash service),” Clark County Solid Waste District Director Chuck Bauer said. “I think it’s a positive for the community to make sure it’s clear and enforceable.”
The previous ordinance, approved in 1996, states property owners must provide collection of garbage or refuse from the residence “by written contract or otherwise,” according to the ordinance. The wording “by written contract or otherwise” has made it difficult to enforce, officials said. That phrase was removed Tuesday.
Landlords can still require tenants to pay for trash service, Springfield Law Director Jerry Strozdas said. But if the tenant doesn’t do it, the landlord is now responsible. Failing to comply with the requirement is a minor misdemeanor for the first offense and a fourth-degree misdemeanor on the second offense.
The city added a requirement Tuesday that landlords will be given proper notice that a residential property doesn’t have trash service, Strozdas said, allowing them time to fix the issue. If the issue isn’t resolved, landlords can then be charged with a minor misdemeanor.
“Nobody here is looking for opportunities to charge people,” Strozdas said. “What we’re looking for is compliance and getting the trash handled.”
Local landlord Tom Lagos said earlier this week the change could keep potential landlords from purchasing properties in the city, but was pleased with the change to add a notification requirement.
“It accomplishes what we need to accomplish, but protects the due process rights of good landlords,” Lagos said.
The city should enforce codes already in place with its code enforcement officers, Chilton said. The changes will also place more burden on local landlords, who are also responsible for paying water bills.
“Those are things that are already in the city ordinance,” Chilton said, “we just need to be enforcing those things.”
Chilton owns several properties in Springfield and pays water and trash bills for tenants, she said.
Clark County Sheriff’s Office environmental enforcement deputies cleaned up 260 sites last year, including 42.5 tons of illegally dumped trash and 907 tires. They also conducted 183 investigations that resulted in 17 arrests.
The deputies are often called to rental properties that don’t have trash service, Bauer said. The new wording will allow the deputies to work directly with property owners, rather than tenants, he said.
They’ve always allowed time for compliance in the past, he said.
“The goal is not to issue tickets or bring people into court,” Bauer said. “We want to make sure people have trash service. It will help with not having nuisance conditions and littering issues within the city limits.”
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