Council votes out warnings for violating bear-can rules

Warnings for improper use of wildlife-resistant refuse containers will no longer be issued to Patterson residents. Instead, residents will be fined as a result of Tuesday’s city council meeting.
City council members approved an ordinance amending the proper use of bear cans and the penalties for violations, which mainly stipulated removing the warning.
In other words, if you violate the ordinance, you won’t receive a warning before being cited, said Mayor Rodney Grogan.
In order to be in compliance with the ordinance, all residents issued wildlife-resistant containers shall keep refuse containers securely latched at all times.
Residents with curbside pickup shall place their securely-latched wildlife-resistant refuse containers at the curb, alley or public right-of-way, to the extent possible, the evening before the scheduled pick-up day.
Following pick-up, the containers must be removed from the curb, alley, or public right-of-way and securely latched in an appropriate manner before the end of the same day, to the extent possible.
No residents made comments opposing or supporting the measure during the public hearing before the start of council meeting.
Council member Travis Darnell moved to lower the minimum penalty for a first violation to $50.
Since issuing warnings were no longer an option, Darnell suggested a lower amount to start with due to the economic downturn in the area.
Council member Sandra Turner seconded the motion. And the council approved changes to penalty amounts.
The graduated schedule for penalty assessment:
–First violation, $50 to $150.
–Successive violations, $150 to $1,000.
The city limitation on this type of violation is $500. But the state allows fines up $1,000 for litter, Grogan said.
—Firms and corporations are also subject to fines.
Council members, St. Mary Parish Black Bear Conflict Office and Louisiana Department of Wildlife & Fisheries are hosting a concerned citizens meeting 6-8 p.m. Nov. 15. They will talk about bear activity in residential areas south of U.S. 90 in Patterson. The topics for discussion:
–Bear-proofing your home and neighborhood.
–LDWF abatement efforts.
–Ordinance for the proper use of wildlife-resistant refuse containers.
–Ordinance outlining refuse container’s placement for service.
The council also approved at Tuesday’s meeting an ordinance amending the Class D liquor license, low alcoholic content package liquor to read “off” the licensed premises.
The change came about in order for the ordinance to be in compliance with state law, Grogan said.