La Villa Restaurant Owner Gabriel Hernandez met with the Guthrie Center City Council  Monday to discuss solutions concerning a garbage dumpster that’s been in the alley behind the business.

Guthrie Center Mayor Mike Herbert explained that the dumpster’s presence in the alley is a hazard and the City is liable for damages caused by the dumpster. Streets Superintendent Bob Secoy mentioned that he’s hit the dumpster twice this year while plowing the alley.

Hernandez said his tenants in the upstairs apartments are also inconvenienced by the distance between the building and the dumpster. Councilmember Garold Thomas measured the clearance in the alley at six inches if the dumpster is present.

The Council suggested Hernandez speak with Jensen Sanitation’s new ownership RNS Waste Services to see if a different sized dumpster is available. Alternatively, he could seek individual garbage containers for the apartments that could be secured in place away from the alleyway to make things easier for his tenants.

Councilmembers tabled the discussion to give Hernandez more time to seek additional remedies.