Leaf Collection Programs

CURBSIDE VACUUM COLLECTION PROGRAM

All residents in dwelling units of six or less are billed $5 a month for leaf and brush collection on their monthly utility bill. 

Click here for a map that is updated daily to show progress while the program is underway.  

Dates may change due to the weather and volume of leaves put out for collection, although best efforts will be made to remain on schedule. Snow or freezing weather may significantly delay or permanently halt curbside leaf collection, since some of the equipment used to remove leaves is also used to handle deicing/snowplowing operations.

How the curbside vacuum collection program works:

• Rake leaves to the parkway by 6 a.m. on the Monday of your scheduled week. Leaves will be collected rain or shine.
• Crews will make one pass by every qualifying residence during each collection period. Leaves that are placed out after the collection crew has passed by may not be picked up for another two weeks until the next scheduled pickup date.
• Leaves should be raked into piles no farther than 6-feet back from the curb. Raking leaves into a long windrow will expedite the process. Leaf piles should be in the parkway, as equipment cannot be used in alleys.
• Leaves should not be raked into the street. This will obstruct the flow of storm water runoff during rain events and cause street flooding, as well as slippery streets.
• Avoid placing leaves near obstacles such as parked vehicles, mailboxes, utility poles/boxes, hydrants, trees, or sign posts.
• Avoid placing debris like sticks, bags, and plastic bottles in leaf piles, as this can cause injury to personnel, damage equipment, and cause delays. Foreign objects also contaminate the leaf material, which is taken to an agricultural site.
• The program is intended to collect the majority of leaves residents may have during the curbside vacuum collection program time frame. Residents are encouraged to use other options for leaves that drop after the curbside vacuum collection program has finished for the season.
• Various crews are working simultaneously during the program period. Trucks with large vacuum trailers are used for through streets, and a truck with a small trailer vacuum goes into areas where the larger equipment cannot navigate such as cul-de-sacs, “bubbles,” and dead ends.
• Limbs/brush should be placed in a separate pile for collection and may not be combined with leaf piles. Limbs/brush should only be placed at the curb if there is a scheduled collection. The final citywide BRUSH collection will be done the week of November 28 for both sides of town.
• Ornamental grasses, plants, and corn stalks should be disposed of as yard waste.