Bay City waives trash cart violation fines, issues warnings instead
BAY CITY, MI – Amid scrutiny from residents and city commissioners, Bay City officials are taking a lenient approach to recent trash bin removal violations, opting to issue warnings rather than impose fines on residents who left their trash carts at the curb too long.
In a letter to residents, city officials said staff recently reviewed nuisance invoices for violations of trash cart placement rules and decided to give residents another chance to comply with local ordinances.
Mayor Chris Girard said the city is reviewing the overall policy going forward.
The move comes amid backlash from residents and city commissioners about $200 fines associated with the violations, which increase to $350 and $500 fines for second and third offenses, respectively.
The issue came to light when Robert Struck, a Bay City property owner, reported that one of his tenants received a bill after their dumpster remained beside the street following the deadline the day after trash pickup day.
Struck, whose affected tenant is a single mother working two jobs with a decade-long perfect record as a resident, questioned the severity of the penalty. He noted that, while the city sends notices for overgrown grass before taking action, the trash bin violation results in an immediate substantial fine for what he estimates is “45 seconds” of city employee work to move the bin.
According to city guidelines, residents must remove their emptied containers from the curb by 8 a.m. the day following collection. Property owners bear responsibility for following these regulations and must ensure their tenants understand the rules.
City officials emphasized that violations of ordinances may apply once items are placed at the curb. Officials say these regulations help maintain attractive, safe, and orderly neighborhoods throughout Bay City.
Residents seeking additional information about trash and recycling guidelines can visit www.baycitymi.gov/218/Trash or contact the Sanitation Division at 989-894-8312.
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