Laguna Woods Village mulls incentive program to curb illegal dumping
LAGUNA WOODS — If you see something — like a sofa or computer being illegally dumped — say something. You could get an award up to $100.
On Tuesday, Nov. 6, the Golden Rain Foundation approved the implementation of a rewards program designed to incentivize residents to call in on oversized items intended for disposal left curbside.
Illegal dumping of bulky items is an ongoing problem, as described in a Village Management Services staff report, that residents violate on a daily basis. VMS and the board are looking toward the success of nationwide programs such as Neighborhood Watch and Crime Stoppers.
“This is a really terrible problem and people are just really up in arms about it,” Director Annette Sabol Soule said. “What we’re trying to do is figure out a way to stop this. I understand that not everybody is going to appreciate or want this (program), but this is an effort to try and get something done.”
Under the new program, callers will report information to Security and may choose to remain anonymous. Eligibility for an award of up to $100 is contingent upon a positive identification of the violator, who will receive a monetary penalty administered through the Mutual administrative process.
Currently, Waste Management Services offers two free in-home bulky item pickups per year and one monthly bulky item collection. They also offer a service on the third Saturday of each month to pick up bulky items near dumpsters, trash chutes or waste containers.
Furthermore, as the staff report noted, the VMS custodial services division — which works in conjunction with Waste Management Services — offers next day removal, which can be scheduled via Resident Services.
The vote was 6-4-0, showing a divided board.
Director Joan Milliman suggested that installing more surveillance, with special attention to dumpsters located near three-story buildings, would be a more efficient route to solving the problem while Director Judith Troutman suggested that the notion of the program may be enough to nudge residents into doing the right thing.
“I think that, at the very least, if we say someone is watching, it might get people to follow the rules,” Troutman said.
Director Diane Phelps questioned the program’s financing strategy. The staff report said that whistleblower rewards would be offset by the monetary penalty administered to the resident at fault.
Milliman, Phelps and directors Beth Perak and James Juhan voted in opposition.
Commercial vehicle storage
The board unanimously approved a resolution that will now allow residents to store their commercial vehicles within the Village.
Members may rent a space for their vehicle in an RV lot at an annual rate of $640, double the rate of recreational vehicles, according to a VMS staff report.
Commercial vehicles displaying signs advertising a business or organization may not be parked overnight anywhere else in the Village, according to GRF and mutual-wide rules.
As Troutman pointed out, this lot will remain an RV lot — parking for commercial vehicles is contingent upon space availability. If lots are at full capacity, commercial vehicles rental terms will be terminated, and owners will be given 30 days to vacate.
In June 2017, Security removed commercial, personal and secondary vehicles from the RV lots — capable of storing store 414 RVs, boats and trailers — to accommodate those on a waiting list, a staff report said.
As of last month, the waiting list was empty and six commercial vehicles have been allowed to remain – leaving 39 spaces available.
As of January, RV spaces are renting for $320 a year.
The resolution passed 10-0-0 upon second reading and takes immediate effect.
Summer Kids Swim
GRF approved a resolution that permanently relocates the Summer Kids Swim Program to Pool 6.
The aquatic facility at Clubhouse Six was chosen because it is an underutilized facility. It averages 10 swimmers per day during the summer and is closed outside of the summer months.
Summer Kids Swim Program is scheduled daily from noon to 4 p.m. from Memorial Day weekend through the summer season.