SAFFORD — The City of Safford is taking action on littering and scavenging at donation bins located across the city.
At its meeting Monday, the City Council conducted a first reading of changes to city ordinances regarding charitable donation bins, including a written agreement for the bins’ placement.
“The agreements will have to be made between the property owner and the bin owner, so that they’re allowed to place the bin on the property. They just can’t move them in and place them anywhere they’d like,” said Jamie Embick, Planning and Community Development director for the city.
Also each charitable drop box location must have a business license with the city.
The ordinance also gives the city authorization to crack down on littering around the boxes, even though the boxes may be located on private property. Bin owners will be notified of items around the boxes and will be given 24 hours to clean the area.
If two or more such notices of litter are issued in the same calendar month, the bins must be removed, and right to install and operate the bins within the city will be suspended for a six-month period.
The issue of littering around the boxes was spearheaded by Councilman Michael Andazola.
“This will take care of the issue,” Andazola said. “I want to commend the staff and say, ‘Thank you for taking this head on.’ ”
The boxes are operated by companies located outside of Graham County and do not support local charitable organizations, such as St. Vincent DePaul Society, Mt. Graham Safe House and GCRC, all of which accept donations for programs that help local residents.
The proposed changes to the ordinance will have a second reading at a future City Council meeting before the council is asked for formal adoption.
