Mayor: Leaf collection smoother this year

Cape Girardeau Mayor Harry Rediger took a moment at Monday's city council meeting to brag about the public works department.

"I have received zero calls on leaf pickup this year," he said at the meeting.

That's vastly different from last year's situation, when "every time my phone would ring, I knew it was about leaves," Rediger said.

Each of the council members also said they had received no calls or comments from the public on the matter.

Mike Tripp, the city's solid-waste superintendent, who coordinates the leaf pickup program, said several factors have contributed to a smoother season.

Perhaps the most important factor is weather. Last winter, heavy snow and ice battered the area, causing a two-week delay in the pickup program. Typically, one of two drivers takes the truck out six days a week for collection, resting only on Sunday. Last year, collection was happening each day of the week as the city struggled to get back on track.

But the weather has been cooperative, and Tripp said the program is on schedule.

"When you can keep that truck running and the weather goes in your favor ... it's a beautiful time to pick up leaves," he said. "They're not frozen, they're not heavy, so they can really be picked up easier."

The collection system has entered Phase 2, in which the truck runs designated routes and collects leaves that have been raked to the curb. The collection schedule is determined by breaking the city into seven zones. Setting routes and schedules for each zone is made more efficient by keeping track each year of how much time the truck spends in particular areas.

Improved communication also has improved efficiency, Tripp said, keeping all members of the team on the same page.

"The communication between everybody, whether it be the front office staff or the supervisors or the drivers, have really paid dividends," he said.

While there has been no need for crews to work late evening hours this season, Tripp said new lights mounted near the truck's arm will be particularly helpful for pickup in the darker hours.

"Last year, one Saturday in particular, I know I was working and wanted to finish up on Brookwood, and it was really hard to see," he said. "That's where we really came up with the idea of 'Hey, it would really help if we had some additional lights on there in case we got behind or had to work a little later.'"

Tripp said barring any unforeseen circumstances, crews should stay on schedule to complete Phase 2 by Dec. 19. That's a goal he said he's been hoping for all along, "but it was one of those things where everything had to fall just right to do."

For those whose leaves didn't pile up in time for the pickup in their zone, Tripp said collections will still continue in Phase 3 until March 27.

Cape Girardeau residents also have the option to have leaves collected by calling public works to schedule a Wednesday special pickup using compost bags sold at Schnucks, Food Giant, City Hall and public works or by hauling leaves to the compost holding area, 453 Cooper St., by Dec. 19.

srinehart@semissourian.com

388-3641

Pertinent address:

453 Cooper St., Cape Girardeau, Mo.

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Leaf removal options

• Loose leaf curbside collection: Completed in three phases by picking up leaves raked to the curb during scheduled and unscheduled routes from Oct. 6 through March 27.
• Wednesday special pickups/compost bags: Compost bags are sold year-round at Schnucks, Food Giant, city hall and public works. After buying city compost bags, marked with bright green stickers, residents can call public works to schedule a Wednesday pickup at no charge.
• Hauling leaves: Residents can bring leaves to the compost holding area at 453 Cooper St. from noon to 4 p.m. Monday through Friday or from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. Saturday. The service is available through Dec. 19.