No leaf collection in Sikeston this year

City to offer more access to the compost site but will not pick up leaves

scottw@standard-democrat.com

SIKESTON -- Sikeston residents will need to make other arrangements for leaves this year and not rake them to the curb.

"Because of budget constraints and limited manpower, the Council after consulting with city staff made the decision to not continue the curbside leaf collection plan this fall," said Jay Lancaster, public works director for the city of Sikeston. "There is not going to be curbside pickup. We are going to be encouraging residents to take their leaves to the compost site, mulch them in their yard, or they can burn their leaves."

Lancaster said city officials understand it is a program used by a lot of residents and did not make the decision lightly.

"It was something we deliberated on because we know it is something people are used to seeing," he said. "But both of our leaf collection machines suffered severe damage toward the end of last year's collection time and the city was in a position of either needing to replace the equipment or make significant repairs."

The city's current leaf collection machines are trailers pulled by tractors.

"Modern leaf collection trucks used today are priced at about $150,000," Lancaster said. "Because of the efficiency of these new units, I think we could make do with one."

The cost to repair the leaf collection machines was also high, he recalled, in a budget that was already tight.

"There was also the issue of manpower that was a concern," Lancaster said.

The old collection rigs require a tractor driver and another two operators for the leaf collection trailer.

"The leaf collection program takes six full-time positions about six weeks to run the program," Lancaster said. "And sometimes with pressing needs, we need to dedicate those resources elsewhere. The biggest thing is to be able to accomplish more pavement repairs. While we contract out big jobs, a lot of the smaller things we do ourselves. This time of the year is also a good time for us to clean out ditches, make sure our stormwater pipes are clear all over town."

To help residents who opt to remove leaves from their property on their own, the city plans to make the compost site more accessible for a six-week period.

"From Nov. 16 until Dec. 31, the city compost site is going to be open Monday through Friday," Lancaster said.

Hours for that period are tentatively set for the compost site to remain open until 3 p.m. Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays and until 6 p.m. Tuesdays and Thursdays, according to Lancaster, as well as some Saturdays that follow -- Nov. 21, Dec. 5 and Dec. 19.

"Also for this six-week period, we are going to allow commercial lawn contractors take leaves to the compost site," he said. "They will have to have a valid business license and we will ask them to provide the city address for the leaves."

Lancaster said the city will notify commercial lawn contractors with a letter informing them of the change.

Another option is to burn the leaves.

"Those who decide to burn this debris need to remember there is a city ordinance that outlines how this must be done," said Capt. Jim McMillen, public information officer for the Sikeston Department of Public Safety, in a Wednesday news release.

The important points to remember are:

* Do not burn anything when the wind is over 10 mph.

* Only burn limbs 2 inches in diameter or smaller.

* Do not burn on any sidewalk, street, alleyway, gutter, drainage ditch or storm drain.

"Burning items on city streets and roads will damage the road surface," McMillen explained. "Additionally, we at DPS ask that you remain attentive to your leaf burning. Keep the fire small in size and do not leave this fire unattended. You should also always have a garden tool -- a rake -- and a garden hose around to help keep the fire manageable."

He also noted that it is not allowed under city ordinance to place debris of any kind -- dirt, chips, mulch, grass clippings, leaves, limbs, straw, paper or ashes, for example -- on a sidewalk, street, alleyway, gutter, drainage ditch or storm drain.

Ordinances prohibit placing debris in these places because they cause or contribute to storm water runoff issues, McMillen said, and "lead to blocked storm drains and flooded streets."

"Please keep the leaves out of the street and out of the gutters," Lancaster said. "They will cover storm grates and clog stormwater pipes. Please don't put them out in the street."