By Brandi Makuski

Publishers could soon be cited if they deliver unwanted newspapers or advertisments to homes in the city.

Councilwoman Tori Jennings has proposed a new ordinance related to scattering, which comes before the Public Protection Committee on Monday.

It was a sea of discarded red-bagged papers in the winter of 2015 from another publication. (City Times photo)

According to City Attorney Andrew Beveridge, the proposal derives from concerns about unwanted non-subscription newspapers “being distributed haphazardly onto streets, sidewalks, right-of-way areas and private property”.

The language in the proposed ordinance extends to other materials besides newspapers, and includes “any advertising matter, handbills, newspapers, or similar material” not including materials delivered by U.S. Mail.

In a memo to the City Council, Beveridge said there have been several incidents of newspapers being “thrown onto sidewalks, covered in snow, and causing damage to snow blowers have been reported over the last two winters”.

“My office in the past has received complaints from residents about unwanted delivery of such papers despite repeated requests to the publishers to no longer receive them,” the memo reads in part. “This ordinance would allow for residents to inform publishers/distributors that they do not wish to receive such papers, and create a penalty if delivery continues to occur following such request.”

Mayor Mike Wiza said the proposed ordinance was modeled after a similar law in the City of Eau Claire.

The penalty is $100 per violation, according to the proposal.

The Public Protection Committee meets at 6 PM on Oct. 9 at the Lincoln Center, 1519 Water Street. The meeting is open to the public.