Warrenton aldermen decided Tuesday night to postpone any action on a trash ordinance that would require all residents to store trash in 20- to 35-gallon containers and force all multifamily dwellings to have a dumpster if the owners are receiving city trash collection service. The board will likely revisit the proposed ordinance at the next aldermanic meeting on May 18. This will allow officials, particularly two new aldermen voted in last month, time to review what has been described as an attempt to clean up problem areas throughout the city. City attorney Chris Graville said the ordinance needed to be updated to be more consistent in how city staff was dealing with enforcement. The trash container must be leakproof, watertight and have a tight-fitting lid. It must also be equipped with suitable handles. The proposed storage ordinance also required commercial solid waste to be kept in a leakproof container to be covered at all times except when removing the waste. Since apartment complexes will be required to have dumpsters, they also are mandated to build an enclosure, under a separate ordinance that will be enforced by the city following an Oct. 1 deadline. Graville said having trash in a container potentially eliminates animals from tearing up exposed trash bags and reduces the need to regulate who is using the service, particularly at an apartment complex. "We needed to tighten up the ordinance a little," he said. When hearing that owners of apartment complexes were not in favor of building enclosures, Alderman Phil Tallo suggested the city get more input prior to approving the latest ordinance. Since multifamily dwellings will be required to have dumpsters, Tuesday night's discussion turned to the need to revisit the enforcement of the enclosure ordinance. Alderman John Clark, who opposes requiring dumpsters to be enclosed due to the high cost and possible financial burden on owners, said he continues to hear from those who support his views. "I see gates open, left open, all the time," he remarked. However, other aldermen continue to be in favor of enclosures. Alderman Beth Kendall said other cities require them. Alderman Fred Flake reiterated that many property owners have been cooperating to meet the deadline and it would be unfair to be lenient now. "I think it's a good idea," Flake said. "We've had many problems with trash blowing around and have had a lot of phone calls and conversation. We got the ordinance in place and I think we should follow the ordinance." Mayor Greg Costello noted that since apartment complexes are considered residential property, they receive free trash collection rather than being required to pay for their own service like commercial businesses in the city. "We're trying to balance (the enclosures) with the economy and cost to the property owner," he said. "It seems like it's a bigger issue to the commercial and retail accounts because they do pay for their own trash service. The apartment complexes are getting a pretty good deal." The enclosure ordinance states that no trash bin shall be visible from off the property and a fence shall be a minimum of 6 feet high and be completely enclosed. In March, the city moved to allow the screening to be chain-link with privacy slats, a cost-effective solution compared to building a wood enclosure. The ordinance had been adopted in 2001, but had not been enforced since. The city is requiring all residential or commercial properties using a dumpster to have an enclosure in place. Graville added that since residents are not charged for the weekly trash pickup, the city can mandate what it wants for storage.