Residents talk trash to city council

Garbage was the hot topic of discussion brought to Elyria City Council on April 2.

In the city’s time of growth and redevelopment, a couple of garbage issues on properties were brought to the floor with much concern by residents.

Concerns in this area are to go to Assistant Safety Service Director of the Building Department Kevin Brubaker, who was absent from the meeting Monday night.

Mayor Holly Brinda was also absent from the meeting.

An Elyria resident of East River Road attended

the meeting with concerns of unwanted trash and garbage cans left in yards, throughout his neighborhood.

The man, who didn’t give his name, said he has gone to city hall and talked with council members a couple of times and was assured the issue would be taken care of.

However, he said he has noticed no change.

He said he has noticed days after garbage has been picked up, at least 30 homes leave their garbage cans out, making it a nuisance in his neighborhood.

Safety Service Director Mary Siwierka said the city has about five different routes of garbage pick up.

In different parts of the city, she said that some

may be left out because trash gets picked up on different days.

The man said he is aware of the $150 fine that can be charged if residents remain to leave trash out, but feels that the city has become lazy with enforcing the rules.

“Are you guys going to do anything about it?,” he said.

The man questioned Ward 1 Councilman Larry Tanner, who also resides in Tanner’s Ward, and what he thought of the issue.

Tanner said if he sees unruly garbage in his neighborhood he puts a copy of an ordinance regarding trash being left and a copy of the fine that is enforced.

He agreed that the issue should be taken care of and residents need to be aware that fines can be cited.

However, the man who showed confusion and anger on the issue shared that

no fines are being cited by law enforcement.

Siwierka commented that her office is prepared to implement citations if it has the authority to, but it has never been clarified.

According to Amanda Deery, chief of staff of Elyria’s Law Department, the Elyria Police Department has the authority to give citations.

Deery added that building inspectors can too.

If the Safety Service Department would like to direct law enforcement to make it more of a priority, she said it can be discussed.

Council President At-Large Mike Lotko said he understands the issue, but believes the information will be passed onto Brubaker for further discussion.

Lotko added that this is the first time he has heard of the issue from any resident in that area.

Another Elyria resident said she was visiting a motel recently on state Route 57 and was shocked with the garbage in the area that surrounds the strip of motels.

“You guys are working so hard to improve the city,” the woman said. “People are going to be staying in these motels and will drive down there and see all that trash.”

The woman, who did not give her name, said the trash issue in the city should be looked into because it would be a shame if out-of-town people won’t stay in motels if all they see is garbage surrounding them.

Lotko was appreciative of the information brought to Council’s attention and explained the issue would be looked into for further discussion.