News

Leaf season begins Monday

Friday, October 12, 2012

The city’s Environmental Services team is gearing up for loose leaf collection, which kicks off the busiest time of year for the department.

Leaf season officially begins Monday, Oct. 15, but residents may not see a vacuum truck in their neighborhoods right away. City crews are still waiting for leaves to begin falling en masse before it will be economical to run the trucks.

The rush is coming even if the city cannot predict exactly when it will be, said Tim Farmer, environmental services manager. “Weather and temperatures are the driving forces.”

City residents can take steps to make sure leaf collections are done quickly and efficiently:

  • Beginning now, city residents may rake loose leaves and pine straw to the curb for collection. Leaves should be around two feet behind the curb.
  • Make sure leaves are away from parked cars, mailboxes, utility poles or other obstructions. They also should not be left atop water meters or utility boxes. 
  • Do not allow leaves to get in the curb, gutter, street, storm drains or catch basins. These can cause flooding, are a violation of city codes and could result in warning tickets or fines. 
  • Remove foreign matter, such as limbs, trash, bricks, etc. These materials clog up the leaf equipment and cause equipment breakdowns, which delay service. 

The crews will be working established routes to cover the city as quickly as possible, Farmer said. The city’s peak period for leaves falls between mid-November and mid-December. During this period, the public’s patience is appreciated. 

If residents want quicker leaf pickup, they can bag leaves or put them in other containers and they will be picked up on the residents’ regular collection days.  City policy prohibits all open burning of leaves. 

Leaf season will continue through Jan. 15, 2013, or shortly afterward, depending on weather. 

For more information, call 399-2485.