Watonga held a citywide cleanup the week of April 13-17. Bulk items were picked up by Veteran’s Waste Services streetside and a volunteer committee cleaned alleys of more bulk items.
According to public works director Justin Woldridge, there were four roll offs filled by the volunteers in less than four hours.
One of those volunteers was city council member Neal Riley, who said he had driven some of the alleys he helped clean on Saturday, April 18, and some had been restocked with trash and old furniture.
City Manager Leroy Alsup, who had also volunteered, explained to the city council how the Watonga ordinance on trash and yard waste was laid out.
That ordinance places responsibility for keeping lots clean squarely on the property owner. That responsibility extends from the center of the street out front of a home to the center of the alley behind the home.
“By ordinance, the alley is not the city’s responsibility,” he said. Therefore, the homeowner or resident is liable for piling brush, long grass and derelict furniture in the alley. And the ordinance is going to move to the top of the enforcement list.
Alsup is exploring the removal of old dumpsters and carts that were part of the old garbage system from alleys. That will go hand in hand with stepped up enforcement.
Residents who are in violation of the ordinance will receive a notice giving them 10 days to remedy the situation. After 10 days, they are subject to tickets and could be ticketed every 10 days until they comply.
The city is working on its new budget cycle and that budget will include operation of the convenience center – formerly called the dump - where residents may dispose of items that are not accepted for regular garbage pickup.