Ottumwa council considers burn ban

BY CINDY TOOPES Courier staff writer

July 07, 2008 04:38 pm

— OTTUMWA — To burn or not to burn. That is the question the Ottumwa City Council will tackle again during Monday’s special meeting.
The city is considering a ban on burning within the city limits. At the June 9 special meeting, the council discussed the issue at length and decided to table it for more study and public comments.
The proposed ordinance to ban open burning did note these exceptions: Disaster rubbish (where an officially declared emergency condition exists), fire stacks, recreational fires, prescribed agricultural burns and fire places and grills.
Councilman Bob Meyers said June 9 the city “already has a ban on burning garbage” but it isn’t enforced.
City Attorney Tom Kintigh confirmed the city code has had a burn ban in the solid waste chapter for several years. The statute prohibits burning garbage, plastics and waste oil.
Councilman Gordon Aistrope said the proposed ordinance to ban open burning is the same one that was defeated on 3-2 vote a few years ago.
“I’ve had calls in support of the ban,” he said. “The cost of $1 bags for leaves and yard waste could be expensive for some but a ban could curb costs for asthmatics.”
Aistrope recommended people mulch leaves, which he does twice a week.
Councilwoman Shannon Addison said she’s not opposed to burn barrels for burning limbs and tree debris left on the ground by storms. As for leaves, she agreed with Aistrope — use the mower.
“All you have to do is go back over what was mowed,” she said. “The odor of burning leaves can be a health issue. We need to get a handle on what to burn.”
Councilman Keith Caviness said he objected to allowing callers who report illegal burning to remain anonymous. He also said people should make an effort to know their neighbors. Then, when problems arise, they could speak to the neighbor about problems.
“Let’s enforce what we have and encourage citizens to be good neighbors,” he said. “For every rule, we depreciate someone’s rights.”
Because of high fuel costs, Councilman Mitch Niner questioned sending out “a big fire truck” to extinguish a fire in a burn barrel. He also wanted to be sure who will write the ticket.
Also proposed at the same time was a resolution “establishing fees for fire department services.”
The resolution established fees in these categories: Fire inspections, structure fires (tax-exempt property only), vehicle fires and crashes, commercial vehicle fires, burning complaint and false alarms.
In the burning complaint category, the first offense is a written warning. The second offense would be $25; third, $50; fourth, $75; and fifth and subsequent offenses, $100.
Also on the agenda will be:
• The plan of action for council goals.
• An update on Ottumwa Economic Development Association, presented by Director Roger Jones.
• Alliant Annual Community Report, presented by Laurie Appleget, an Alliant Energy strategic account manager.
Cindy Toopes can be reached at (641) 683-5376 or via e-mail at cindy@ottumwacourier.com.

For Your Information
The Ottumwa City Council will conduct a work session and special meeting at 5 p.m. Monday in council chambers at City Hall.
The proceedings will be broadcast live on GO-TV, cable Channel 6.