Large item issue

Portland has a problem with large trash items being left where they don’t belong.

City council on Monday discussed at length how to address the issue.

Jay County Solid Waste Management District director George McGinnis visited Portland City Council’s meeting Monday to ask that the city consider adjusting its policies on large items or otherwise find a way to assist with the issue.

McGinnis explained to council that the recycling trailers provided by the solid waste management district have had frequent issues with large furniture items being left in or around them. He said the biggest problems, by far, are in Portland.

He shared photos of alleys in Portland with large furniture items sitting along them, saying those items often end up at the recycling trailers. With a limited budget, he told council the solid waste management district does not have the funding to continue dealing with items when they are left at the recycling trailers illegally.

Via an update to the city’s trash collection ordinance that was approved by council in March 2022, large items are accepted at the street department four times a year. Those who need to have such items disposed of outside of those days can purchase a permit to do so at city hall. (For example, a permit for disposal of a mattress is $15.)

Portland Mayor John Boggs noted at Monday’s meeting that in addition to those options, such items can also be taken to Jay County Landfill. (McGinnis pointed out that all Jay County residents are entitled to two free trips to the landfill per year and that those trips are no longer limited to specific days.)

“Whatever you guys can do to help the situation is going to help us,” said McGinnis, adding that the current situation is “not working.”

Council members discussed a variety of options, with Janet Powers asking if items placed along streets or alleys without a permit could be picked up and an invoice sent to the property owner. County attorney Wes Schemenaur said that could be possible, but an ordinance change would be required.

Council member Matt Goldsworthy cautioned that such a policy could lead to other issues, such as large items being left at others’ properties to avoid such fees, and suggested taking another look at the ordinance as a whole.

Other options suggested included holding free large item drop-off days at the street department more frequently, holding a separate pick-up for large items, hiring more employees to expand trash pickup, installing security cameras to catch violators at recycling trailers, utilizing Jay County Jail inmates for additional pick-ups and hiring an outside firm to handle trash service. (City employees currently handle trash pick-up.)

Bettie Jacobs, the educator for the solid waste management district, expressed her opinion that residents are not well-informed about how to properly dispose of large items.

Boggs said the city would send a flyer out with water bills, look into other advertising options and consider expanding options for disposing of large items.

“We’ll get a plan together and start working on it,” he said.

Council members Kent McClung, Don Gillespie, Michele Brewster, Mike Aker, Dave Golden, Powers and Goldsworthy also unanimously approved $26,832.64 in funding for the Meridian Street storm sewer project that is getting underway this week.

Boggs had visited Portland Redevelopment Commission for additional funding July 28, noting at that time that the funding shortfall was more than half a million dollars as costs of the project have increased significantly because of modifications and inflation. He informed city council on Monday, though, that the short fall was just under $52,000. (He explained that city officials had been looking at the project cost with all of its alternatives, some of which are not being done, which led to the incorrect amount being presented to the redevelopment commission. After the discrepancy was discovered, the redevelopment commission’s commitment — it had originally agreed to provide an additional $100,000 for the project — was cut back to $25,000).

Boggs asked city council to provide the remaining $26,832.64 to cover the rest of the cost of the project, which involves adding a storm sewer line below Meridian Street from between Arch and Race streets to the Salamonie River.

In other business, council:

•Along with the mayor, praised the efforts of the city’s street department, other city employees and residents who helped clean up after the July 29 storm that left trees and limbs fallen all over the city.

•Was informed by Boggs that there will be an unsafe building hearing regarding 210 N. Meridian St. at Thursday’s Portland Board of Works meeting, which will be held in council chambers at the fire station, 1616 N. Franklin St.

•Heard Powers ask her fellow council members to consider making the area along Meridian Street in front of the new Wendy’s restaurant (514 N. Meridian St.) a no-parking zone. She expressed concern about drivers being able to see to safely make turns from Race Street onto Meridian Street with the expanded traffic coming and going from the new business.

•Approved increasing the annual uniform allowance for Portland police officers to $1,000 from the previous $750. Police chief Steve Schlechty explained that costs of uniforms have increased. The change does not represent a budget increase, as Schlechty eliminated four reserve officer positions — the city had 20 positions available but only 11 currently filled — in order to cover the additional uniform costs.

•OK’d a curb cut on Water Street to allow residents better access to the driveway on the property at 124 S. Pleasant St. The work will be handled similar to city sidewalk projects, with property owner Leslie Muhlenkamp to pay for materials and city crews to handle the work. (Council members also discussed an adjacent property that has stacks of pallets, whether they are allowed and if they constitute a hazard. They agreed to check with Jay/Portland Building and Planning regarding zoning rules for the property.)

•Heard a reminder from Goldsworthy to be cautious around buses and children as the 2023-24 school year begins Thursday.

•Briefly discussed an issue with loose dogs on the west side of the city. Schlechty said he believes the issue has been resolved.