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With the cold weather rolling in and Ypsilanti’s trees quickly shedding their leaves, the city is reminding its residents it will no longer have bulk leaf pick-up.
A resolution approved in May eliminated the collection of bulk loose leaves, a service previously done twice a year and only once last year. The city is now requiring its residents to bag, bin, mulch or compost their leaves this year as opposed to sweeping them into the street. The effort is aimed at trimming the city’s expenses.
Director of Public Services Stan Kirton said the change should save the city approximately $4,000 in labor costs alone.
“We’re trying to save money in this process,” Kirton said “We’re cutting down in a lot of equipment use and the use temporary employees.”
Less tax revenue brought in for services such as solid waste removal, recycling and yard waste removal paired with the increase costs of solid waste removal led to council’s unanimous decision to approve the resolution.
The city is allowed to collect a maximum of 3 mills to pay for the above services. Ypsilanti charges 2.7814 mills due to a Headlee roll back, which requires a municipality to reduce its millage when annual growth on existing property is greater than the rate of inflation.
The annual cost of the city’s five-year solid waste removal contract with, Texas-based Waste Management, increased by approximately $34,000 from fiscal year 2008 to 2009.
Similar to the city’s snow and grass removal policies, violation of the leaf removal ordinance could result in a civil infraction. Residents have 48 hours to bring their property into compliance after a warning is given. If the property is abated after 48 hours the resident will be billed for the service and administration fees.
Leaves contained in compost bags or trash cans - 32 gallons or smaller labeled with a yard waste sticker - will be picked up curbside through the week of December 14. The city is also encouraging its residents to compost and mulch as well.
“We’re hoping to reduce the number of bags sent out to the curb as well,” Kirton said.
Compost information can be found at the city’s Web site. A free mulching clinic, sponsored by Congdon’s Ace Hardware will also be available to residents at 3 p.m. October 31 in Prospect Park.
Paul Shemon, co-owner of Congdon’s Ace Hardware, at 111 Pearl St., will demonstrate leaf mulching techniques at the clinic. Residents of Ypsilanti will also have the opportunity to win door prizes, including a Toro Super Recycler lawnmower donated by Ace Hardware.
On the Web:
For more information on composting click here.
To learn more about the city’s mulching clinic click here.