Changes coming for leaf and snow removal plans

Cul-de-sacs to be plowed like this year, leaves no longer allowed on city streets

By Kellen Olshefski

Editor

City of Elkhorn Municipal Service and Utilities Chairman Gary Payson, Sr., told councilmembers Monday night the committee is working on updating snow and ice and leaf removal processes for the City of Elkhorn.

According to minutes from the committee’s Feb. 23 meeting, Elkhorn Department of Public Works Manager Martin Nuss said a different plan was used this year when it came to plowing cul-de-sacs, treating them like any other road, rather than plowing them last and then hauling snow away. As a result, residents on cul-de-sacs had to shovel the ends of their driveways and the city received three complaints after the most recent large snowfall prior to Tuesday.

According to the minutes, City Administrator Sam Tapson said perhaps a certain snowfall level could be a trigger for contracting snow removal services and Payson recommended finding additional snow dumping areas in the city to minimize hauling costs.

However, Alderman Hoss Rehberg preferred the current program be continued and residents be given ample notification of the program in writing, the minutes said.

A motion was passed by the committee to update the snow and ice removal plan for plowing to create access for cul-de-sacs along with all other city roads, coming back later to remove the snow. The updated plan is expected to be brought back to the committee for final approval.

As for leaf collection, Payson said Monday that at the committee’s Feb. 23 meeting Nuss told the committee the Wisconsin DNR’s MS4 permit requires changes be made to city leaf collection starting in the fall.

Currently, residents rake their leaves into the street for removal by Advanced Disposal. However, this practice is no longer allowed as leaves end up in storm water drainage.

In his memo to the committee, Nuss offered the committee several options including eliminating the city sponsored leaf pick-up, requiring residents to remove their own leaves and bring them to a drop-off site and a city-wide bagged program where waste haulers or city employees remove the leaves.

Payson said Monday the committee discussed various options, including requiring residents to place leaves in bags for pickup.

According to meeting minutes, it was discussed that providing city residents with bags could be a possibility.

Nuss’s memo said the financial impact on the city could vary widely depending upon what the city opts to do.

Additionally, the memo notes the purpose of bringing the issue to the committee was to begin discussions about the options so that by this summer, they might have a consensus on what a possible new fall leaf program could be, allowing the city time to inform residents of the changes.

At this time, changes to how leaves will be removed is merely a discussion and nothing has been decided upon by the committee.