Garbage was piling up quickly in the bins in downtown Langley.

So much so that the director of Public Works ordered a third day of trash pickup from bins around First and Second streets. Stan Berryman, director of Public Works, said it was a good problem to have because it meant that more people are visiting the city. He was encouraged by city council members at their Monday meeting to look into placing a square bin to contain pizza boxes, which were lamented as being a source of some of the problems because they take up such a large volume in a regular trash bin.

Another request for more cleaning and perhaps investment in the public restrooms near Anthes Avenue came from the Langley Chamber of Commerce.

“It’s pretty bad,” said Councilwoman Robin Black, who also serves on the chamber’s board of directors.

She asked for more frequent cleanings and trash pickups to prevent the bathroom from falling into disarray with paper towels strewn across the floor. She recommended getting new countertops and sinks to prevent a problem with water spraying onto the counters and floors.

“Having public restrooms really reflects how a town is perceived,” she said.

Having murals inside was also recommended as a way to improve the look and incorporate the city’s artistic talent into something mundane like a restroom.

The ideas were met with some harsh realism from Berryman, who said the cost may make the projects unfeasible for this year.

“You’re talking significant funds,” he said, adding that some previous bids for that work came in between $30,000 and $40,000.

Currently the bathrooms are cleaned once a day by a contract company. Councilman Bruce Allen, who saw the state of the bathrooms deteriorate during the Choochokam Arts Festival that he helped organize as one of its board members, supported Black’s recommendation to have the bathrooms cleaned twice a day during summer, or at least during summer weekends.

Some smaller requests were made by the chamber’s executive director, Michaleen McGarry, such as hooks in the women’s stalls and the chamber’s access to toilet paper and paper towels in case they run out. The chamber’s office is located mere steps from the bathroom, and staff previously served as its management.

“The intent was to remove the responsibility of the chamber,” Mayor Fred McCarthy said.