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By Stephanie Warsmith
Beacon Journal staff writer
POSTED: 09:24 p.m. EDT, Oct 27, 2009
Akron residents who already have raked leaves into the street probably are wondering when the city will pick them up.
The answer is? Soon.
The city is expected to start its one — and only — leaf pickup Monday.
To save money, Akron didn't do its traditional earlier pickup. But, with leaves in most neighborhoods falling later in the fall, city leaders are hoping residents won't miss the first sweep.
''I don't think people will notice much of a change,'' said Paul Barnett, Akron's Public Works manager.
Cutting back from two to one leaf pickup, expected to save $200,000 to $250,000, was among the steps the city made to address a projected budget shortfall of as much as $8 million by the end of the year.
The savings will come from eliminating the first pickup, reducing overtime an estimated 30 percent, and not having employees work Sundays or holidays — Veterans Day, Thanksgiving and the day after Thanksgiving.
''We want to minimize overtime and maximize work during normal shifts,'' Barnett said. ''There still will be some overtime. It's a compromise.''
City leaders hope to have pickups in the first four wards — 3, 4, 5 and 7 — complete by mid- November; the next three wards — 1, 8 and 10 — done by the end of November; and wards 6, 9 and 2 finished by mid-December.
Some residents may wonder why Akron isn't waiting even longer to start its pickup. But, city leaders said they want to collect the bulk of the leaves before the snow starts. The city uses the same equipment for leaf removal and snow plowing.
''We have to balance the end date with the expected weather,'' said Dan Jones, Akron's street cleaning superintendent.
Last November, Akron saw snowfall that doubled the average for that month, which threw off the leaf pickup schedule. The city didn't finish picking up the last of the leaves until February.
Residents can check for changes to this year's pickup schedule on the city's Web site — http://www.ci.akron.oh.us/ — or by calling the 311 information line.
Residents also have the option of bagging leaves in biodegradable bags. They then can call 311 to ask for one of two free bulk pickups they are permitted each year or put the bags on the curb when their ward pickup starts.
Akron will post signs in each ward to remind residents when pickups are about to begin. If needed, the city will return to the wards that were first in the schedule to pick up the rest of their leaves, Barnett said.
The city rotates the wards in its pickup schedule each year. Last year, for example, wards 3 and 4 were last. They are first this year. Wards with lighter loads, like 3, are grouped with those with heavier loads, like 4, Barnett said.
Ward 8 has the most leaves, accounting for more than a third of the city's leaf haul. The city composts the leaves and uses them for topsoil.
LEAF PICKUP SCHEDULE
Leaf pickup dates in Akron, by city ward.
Ward 3: Nov. 2-3
Ward 4: Nov. 4-6
Ward 5: Nov. 7-9
Ward 7: Nov. 10-13
Ward 1: Nov. 14-18
Ward 8: Nov. 19-25
Ward 10: Nov. 28-Dec. 1
Ward 6: Dec 2-4
Ward 9: Dec. 5-8
Ward 2: Dec. 9-10
Stephanie Warsmith can be reached at 330-996-3705 or swarsmith@thebeaconjournal.com.
Akron residents who already have raked leaves into the street probably are wondering when the city will pick them up.
The answer is? Soon.
The city is expected to start its one — and only — leaf pickup Monday.
To save money, Akron didn't do its traditional earlier pickup. But, with leaves in most neighborhoods falling later in the fall, city leaders are hoping residents won't miss the first sweep.
''I don't think people will notice much of a change,'' said Paul Barnett, Akron's Public Works manager.
Cutting back from two to one leaf pickup, expected to save $200,000 to $250,000, was among the steps the city made to address a projected budget shortfall of as much as $8 million by the end of the year.
The savings will come from eliminating the first pickup, reducing overtime an estimated 30 percent, and not having employees work Sundays or holidays — Veterans Day, Thanksgiving and the day after Thanksgiving.
''We want to minimize overtime and maximize work during normal shifts,'' Barnett said. ''There still will be some overtime. It's a compromise.''
City leaders hope to have pickups in the first four wards — 3, 4, 5 and 7 — complete by mid- November; the next three wards — 1, 8 and 10 — done by the end of November; and wards 6, 9 and 2 finished by mid-December.
Some residents may wonder why Akron isn't waiting even longer to start its pickup. But, city leaders said they want to collect the bulk of the leaves before the snow starts. The city uses the same equipment for leaf removal and snow plowing.
''We have to balance the end date with the expected weather,'' said Dan Jones, Akron's street cleaning superintendent.
Last November, Akron saw snowfall that doubled the average for that month, which threw off the leaf pickup schedule. The city didn't finish picking up the last of the leaves until February.
Residents can check for changes to this year's pickup schedule on the city's Web site — http://www.ci.akron.oh.us/ — or by calling the 311 information line.
Residents also have the option of bagging leaves in biodegradable bags. They then can call 311 to ask for one of two free bulk pickups they are permitted each year or put the bags on the curb when their ward pickup starts.
Akron will post signs in each ward to remind residents when pickups are about to begin. If needed, the city will return to the wards that were first in the schedule to pick up the rest of their leaves, Barnett said.
The city rotates the wards in its pickup schedule each year. Last year, for example, wards 3 and 4 were last. They are first this year. Wards with lighter loads, like 3, are grouped with those with heavier loads, like 4, Barnett said.
Ward 8 has the most leaves, accounting for more than a third of the city's leaf haul. The city composts the leaves and uses them for topsoil.
LEAF PICKUP SCHEDULE
Leaf pickup dates in Akron, by city ward.
Ward 3: Nov. 2-3
Ward 4: Nov. 4-6
Ward 5: Nov. 7-9
Ward 7: Nov. 10-13
Ward 1: Nov. 14-18
Ward 8: Nov. 19-25
Ward 10: Nov. 28-Dec. 1
Ward 6: Dec 2-4
Ward 9: Dec. 5-8
Ward 2: Dec. 9-10
Stephanie Warsmith can be reached at 330-996-3705 or swarsmith@thebeaconjournal.com.
Comments
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Posted 10:22 PM, 10/27/2009
I think that it is smart to do one pick-up. There were hardly any leaves down for the first pick-up anyhow.
Good way to save money.
Akron, Oh
Posted 10:45 PM, 10/27/2009
Good point, Amy!
Akron, OH
Posted 10:56 PM, 10/27/2009
I am just glad I don't live in Wards 6,9, or 2!
Sorry, fellow Akronites, I am sure we're on the receiving end in the next year or two; guaranteed!
:0)
Posted 12:56 AM, 10/28/2009
Where I live they usually come by 3 to 4 times. It's gonna be bad this year with one pick up. Do we get a discount on our trash bill? We are losing a service but still paying for it.....
My Heart Is In K-Town, .
Posted 08:12 AM, 10/28/2009
So how does eliminating a pickup save money? You still have to pay these folks anyhow, don't you? Are they current city employees or subs? I can see the savings on OT by reducing the amount allowed. Someone educate me please.
Posted 08:59 AM, 10/28/2009
@ PacMan - I would assume that is money saved from not only lots of overtime (those crews run through the night) but also from not spending the extra money on gas and maintenance for the trucks and equipment.
Copley, OH
Posted 09:42 AM, 10/28/2009
Actually this is not a free service the City provides. It's assessed as part of your street sweeping charges. Did y'all think that was free too? Sorry to disappoint. Everytime they sweep your street (or pick up leaves) it's assessed to your property tax bill.
Posted 09:58 AM, 10/28/2009
I couldn't care less whether they pick them up or not. I will sweep them on the curb and wait till spring, when they will be mush and wash into the sewer system.
Akron, OH
Posted 11:45 AM, 10/28/2009
@RetiredCityWorker
" Everytime they sweep your street (or pick up leaves) it's assessed to your property tax bill."
So with just 1 pick-up, can I call and ask for a re-assessment?
Mogadore, OH
Posted 12:01 PM, 10/28/2009
i do not have leaf pickup, people need to be happy with what they have. I leave the leaves where they lay.
akron, oh
Posted 01:56 PM, 10/28/2009
I mulch.
Akron, Oh
Posted 03:32 PM, 10/28/2009
Last year they never got mine and got scooped by my snowplow anyway. I'll just put them on the street and wait till next year I guess...
Akron, OH
Posted 07:16 PM, 10/28/2009
Glad to be in ward 6. Only half my leaves are down now. Someone said these crews work at night ... cant imagine them seeing what theyre scooping in the dark.
Highland Square, OH
Posted 02:06 AM, 10/29/2009
During the day while everyone's at work I play in the piles of leaves that people on Beck Avenue leave sitting in their front yard...It's fun.=)
Posted 07:08 AM, 10/29/2009
Thanks to the mayor for this. I hope he enjoys the trip we paid for by saving all that money.
I can't believe no one sees this.
You sure will when he limits snowplowing, too.
Uniontown, OH
Posted 08:19 AM, 10/29/2009
Just checked my tax card online. It is more than a couple bucks to sweep the leaves. Around $26.00 per half. I am taxed for two. Pick up twice! How can you tax me for something and then decide after you get the money you are going to keep it and not provide the service you taxed me for. CROOKS!
Posted 11:59 AM, 10/30/2009
i am tired of cleaning up the my neighbors leaves..I don't have any trees! Trim your trees people!
Akron, Oh
Posted 11:17 AM, 11/01/2009
I am tired of fuddy duddy neighbors like Logic.
Akron, Oh
Posted 05:59 PM, 11/03/2009
Try eating the leaves.
Akron, Oh
Posted 06:00 PM, 11/03/2009
Logic
Can I borrow your trimmer, a rake, trash bags and some kool-aid. Thanks
Copley, OH
Posted 06:21 PM, 11/18/2009
T-Nut, good idea, by leaving the leaves where they lay, you won't have to mow your lawn next year, either. 'Cause the damp leaves will kill your grass.
