Lawton City Council wants solutions to trash problem

City Council members want more solutions before quadrupling the fee for residents hauling uncovered debris to the city landfill.

Council members were reacting to a proposal to set a $100 fee on residents who haul debris to the landfill without tarps or other covering, action that violates city code. The proposal would set a $200 fee for commercial vehicles who do the same thing, defining commercial as any vehicle larger than one ton or having commercial markings or tags. The fee now is $28.75 for all uncovered loads.

The issue comes as city officials focus attention on arterials, working to clean them up to improve the look of the community. But resident who live along and near commonly used routes to the landfill, particularly those on South 11th Street, have long complained about the trash that ends up in their yards after blowing from vehicles hauling materials to the landfill.

The council tried to address the issue several years ago by designating funding in the city budget – this year, $100,000 – to clean up the debris.

Public Works Director Larry Wolcott said city staff has concerns about increasing the fee, noting some of those hauling unsecured loads already leave when the landfill staff tells them they owe an additional $28.75 for violating city code. Wolcott said the staff fears more people will have that reaction when the fee increases.

“It increases the likelihood of illegal dumping,” he said, of what already is a problem in areas of the city and county.

Mayor Stan Booker said Lawton is at the point it must address the issue. In addition to debris littering city streets, Booker said there was an incident a year ago when a resident was killed by debris falling from a vehicle.

“How do you suggest we control it?” he asked.

Wolcott said his answer is hiring an environmental control specialist, a city staff member who could address the issue of illegal loads at the landfill while also investigating illegal dumping of debris and looking for vehicles driving around Lawton without secured loads.

“If they’re uncovered when they get to the landfill, they’ve already spread trash in the community,” Wolcott said, adding illegal trash violates city code and state statute, and those who violate the law can be ticketed and fined.

Ward 8 Councilman Randy Warren said the issue must be addressed and he’s willing to explore options.

“We had a death,” he said, about what he calls an on-going issue. “We spend a lot of time and money to clean up; three days later, it’s back to what it was.”

Warren said he, like others driving in the community, sees vehicles with unsecured loads every time he is out, adding one solution is raising fines and fees.

“There’s got to be a solution,” he said, adding while there are always going to be people who don’t follow the rules, most landfill users can be educated.

City staff said an education campaign is one solution, as is plans to seek an environmental education grant to pay for the environmental specialist.

Booker was frustrated by a lack of action in some areas, asking what happens when someone leaves after refusing to pay the $28.75 fee. Wolcott said landfill staff members have no authority to detain someone, but Booker said city staff could call the police.

“It is illegal,” he said.

Ward 5 Councilman Allan Hampton said the City of Lawton still might have the option of fining such drivers; the landfill would have names and addresses on file because drivers must prove they are Lawton residents before being allowed to dump debris.

Ward 7 Councilwoman Onreka Johnson, whose ward includes many of the neighborhoods experiencing problems, said a combination approach may be best, to include an education program, fines and other actions.

“How many people have to die before we take action on this?” she asked.