Council to hold public hearing on anti-litter ordinance

Littering is like saying the same thing Rhett Butler conveyed in his last words to Scarlett O’Hara, Florence County Councilman Morris Anderson said.

Like the “Gone With the Wind” character, those who litter essentially saying they don’t care, Anderson said.

“I’m out to change that attitude, whatever it takes,” he said.

On Thursday, council is expected to have second reading and a public hearing of a new anti-litter ordinance after council’s Justice and Public Safety Committee spent about a year working on the measures.

The current version of the ordinance includes fines as high as $500 and allows the court to require community service of violators.

Council committee Chairman Waymon Mumford said the county’s staff, Sheriff Kenney Boone and the Environmental Services Department were a “vital part” of developing the ordinance.

“It’s pretty stiff, but I don’t think we went overboard with it,” Mumford said.

The ordinance would require a “cradle to the grave” responsibility for litter, meaning a person who generates solid waste must ensure the trash is securely transported to a legal disposal site.

Lack of adequate covering and securing of trash in a truck or other vehicle would be a violation, according to the ordinance.

In addition, if a person who littered a property is unknown and never charged or convicted, a property owner could be responsible for removing the litter, according to the ordinance. Property owners also would be responsible for removing litter if “forces of elements” carry trash from another property to theirs.

Florence County Administrator Richard Starks said the ordinance is “not too much of a departure from other counties.” Nonetheless, he expects a “healthy debate” and floor amendments as council discusses the matter, he said.

Anderson said the penalties are the harshest they can be under state, but he wants to talk with Florence County’s representatives in the state Legislature about making the rules tougher.

“A little slap on the wrist or a reprimand isn’t going to do a speck of good,” he said.

In other business scheduled for Thursday, council will vote on a resolution to establish air quality improvement incentives as Florence County reaches the maximum allowable level of ground-level ozone.

Florence County has allocated $20,000 for cash rebates of $500 for each hybrid vehicle purchased new in the county. It also has allocated an additional $20,000 for incentives as high as $1,000 for household installation of certain solar- or wind-power equipment as well as “green” construction. The rebates also would apply to electric or gas systems in homes where the open burning of wood is the only source of heat.

Council also will vote on a resolution allowing the county administrator to execute a long-range transportation plan contract with Kimley-Horn and Associates Inc.

The Florence Area Transportation Study, the local metropolitan planning organization, approved the contract in an 8-1 vote.

The project will cost $170,000 and should be completed in a year, according to county documents.

The updated long-range plan, due in 2011, will include recent updates to the county’s comprehensive plan.

Council also is scheduled to vote on a $36,321 bid by Conway-based Palmetto Paving Corp. for paving at the county’s new Environmental Services building. The funding was designated previously for construction of the county’s new animal control facility.

New litter rules

The current version of the anti-litter ordinance, up for a second reading Thursday, contains the following penalties for violations:

Less than 15 pounds or 27 cubic feet of litter

• Fines of $100 to $200 per offense, plus all court costs and assessments
• County magistrate’s court can impose at least five hours’ litter gathering or other public service
• Court also can substitute additional public service, not to exceed one hour for each $5 in fines, in lieu of payments

More than 15 pounds or 27 cubic feet of litter

• Fines of $200 to $500 per offense, plus litter gathering or public service

Second and subsequent convictions

• At least 20 hours of community service in addition to fines

The court also could order any person in violation to pay restitution to the county and victims for the cost of removing or abating litter.

IF YOU’RE GOING

WHAT: Florence County Council regular meeting, including public hearing on new anti-litter ordinance

WHEN: 9 a.m. Thursday

WHERE: Room 803 of the Florence City-County Complex, 180 N. Irby St., Florence

INFO: Call Clerk to Council Connie Haselden at (843) 665-3035