Columbus City Council will decide whether to increase the penalty for illegal dumping on Monday.
An update to the city’s refuse collection code would change littering and illegal dumping from a third-degree misdemeanor to a first-degree misdemeanor that carries a sentence of up to 180 days in jail and a fine of up to $1,000.
"I know sometimes public utilities, sustainability and definitely trash isn't the sexiest thing happening in the city, but it is as important as the other things that we're dealing with,” said Councilman Christopher Wyche, who introduced the code update at council.
Wyche jokes that not long after becoming chair of the city’s public utilities and sustainability committee, people were asking him about garbage and dumping.
"I was on the job for maybe two, three hours, before somebody started trashing me online about trash,” Wyche said.
He said just about everyone who lives here wants the city to be clean and beautiful.
Illegal dumping is any time that someone leaves items on another person’s property, according to Wyche. He gave the example of a construction company that was leaving waste at another commercial property. The owner of the commercial property provided the city with video footage of the illegal dumping, Wyche said.
Wyche said the city sometimes uses cameras to catch illegal dumping. It’s also sometimes reported by property owners. To report illegal dumping, residents can call 311 or reach out to their councilperson.
In addition to raising the penalty for illegal dumping, changes to the refuse code would create a three-person Refuse Appeals Board to hear appeals from people cited for violating the code. Wyche said the board will be appointed by the mayor, with council’s approval, and will include at least one city resident.
Updates to the code will also allow the city to look into pilot composting and recycling programs. Wyche said those could start at city events downtown.
“So this really kind of ties back to us reducing the amount of trash we're sending to the landfill,” Wyche said. “The more we can kind of educate people on the proper way of disposing items, whether they be recyclable or not recyclable, it helps us in the long run to kind of address that goal.”
Council is scheduled to meet at 5 p.m. Monday at Council Chambers, located at 90 West Broad Street.
