Issue
Trash can fines, cleanups, smart cans, and cameras to catch illegal dumpers.
City Council
Every year, the city's 311 line gets 6,000 litter complaints. On Oct. 28, public works staff told council the problem keeps getting messier despite cleanups. The director estimated that handing out trash cans with tight lids would cost $8 to $9 million. Meanwhile, the Clean Pittsburgh Commission recommended public education about litter and a staff member to coordinate volunteers.
City Council
Illegal dumpers target vacant properties, alleyways, and hillsides, leaving items like construction debris. Now, Allegheny CleanWays has agreed to lend the Department of Public Works surveillance cameras at no cost. An enforcement team will place the cameras and share data with law enforcement. Other terms aren't set yet, though the public works director said the deal will likely cover two years.
City Council
Pittsburgh residents always want to talk about city trash cans, one council member said. Now, another member has asked to move $9,000 from his office's postage budget to buy nine smart cans for his district. The cans alert public works when they're full. On Oct. 28, council will hold a meeting on litter.
City Council
Council members want State help to clear the City's litter and illegal dumpsites. That help could include borrowed equipment, contracts, and funding. Still, some members worried the request could distract from larger issues like the transit funding crisis. Meanwhile, a new City program that hires people leaving incarceration to pick up trash starts this weekend in Homewood.
City Council
Resolving a trash can complaint in the city takes about three months, and violations end up in magistrate court. This week, a council member led a meeting on proposed fines meant to speed up clean-up. They're also meant to end reliance on the court. Meanwhile, the mayor's draft budget includes money to hire more inspectors.