STREET DEPARTMENT CUSTOMER SERVICE POLICIES-2007 (REV #1 2/2/07)
The following is a summary of the service policies that deal with the interaction of the Lake Mills Street Department and the residents of the City. Please read the entire summary as some policies have significant departures from previous years. The purpose of these policies is to provide a framework that allows for safe, environmentally prudent, and economical procedures to equitably provide services for all property owners in the City of Lake Mills.
A. BRUSH PICKUP
a. FREE SERVICES
1. The Yard Waste Center on Stony Road between CP Avenue and Topeka Drive is open 24/7 to receive brush, leaves, grass clippings, wood and modest amounts of concrete and asphalt debris from City residents. Home demolition materials such as framing, drywall, and shingles can NOT be deposited, because they need to be properly landfilled by a certified waste hauler.
2. Twice a year, in the spring and fall, the City will collect yard waste, including brush neatly stacked with butt ends facing with traffic, separated from other materials, and placed on the terrace. These dates are weather dependent and will be announced on the City's website www.ci.lake-mills.wi.us, and Local Cable Access Channels 96 and 98.
3. Following a major storm event that causes wide spread damage, a brush pickup will be announced on the City's Website, www.ci.lake-mills.wi.us, and Local Cable Access Channels 96 and 98.
4. In January, Christmas trees will be picked up.
b. PAY AS YOU GO
1. From April to November, brush will be picked up by appointment on the fourth Tuesday of the month for a fee of $15.00. Appointments for brush pick up may be made by visiting or calling City Hall at 648-2344 no later than the Monday preceding the pick up to arrange for payment. Brush to be picked up by appointment should be neatly stacked with butt ends facing with traffic and not mixed with other waste. It should NOT be placed on the terrace earlier than the Saturday that precedes the fourth Tuesday.
2. Brush that is either put out without an appointment, or not stacked neatly with butt ends facing traffic, or tangled, or mixed with other debris and/or not within the timeframe of the Saturday prior to the fourth Tuesday, will be considered a special pickup. Regardless of the size of the brush pile, the property owner will be assessed a fee of $30.00 for a special pickup.
B. LEAF PICKUP
a. In an effort to be environmentally proactive and prevent leaves from contaminating our waterways, the City has purchased a self-contained leaf vacuum. It is designed to remove leaves from the terrace within eight feet of the curb. Therefore, please do NOT deposit leaves in the gutter this fall.
b. Leaf pickup will begin when raking season begins and will be continuous thereafter, weather permitting. Therefore leaves will be picked up more frequently than in the past.
c. The preferred alternative to raking is to mulch them with your lawn mower. It is easier than raking. It is free food for your lawn. There is no pile of leaves to blow around or get covered by snow. And it is fewer leaves your tax dollars have to move. Another alternative is to deliver them to the Yard Waste Center. Just remember to tarp any open loads and to empty and remove any bags from the site.
C. YARD WASTE CENTER
a. The Yard Waste Center is located on Stony Road between CP Avenue and Topeka Drive and is open 24/7 for City residents. It has four marked bins.
1. In the left bin, residents may deposit modest amounts of broken concrete and/or asphalt from home projects. However building demolition materials such as framing, drywall, windows, doors, and shingles must be properly landfilled by a certified waste hauler.
2. Second from left is the wood bin, where brush and cut up trees may be deposited. Residents may also remove wood free of charge from this bin for personal use.
3. The third bin is for debris that can be composted, such as leaves or grass and garden clippings.
4. In the right bin the City deposits wood chips. These are free for the taking by residents to use as mulch.
D. SNOW PLOWING AND SALTING
a. We work in conjunction with the Police Department as to when we initiate our snow removal activities. However, once started, each driver has his own route. The routes are designed to take approximately the same length of time to complete Our mission is to have everyone in the City with a passable street before we begin to pick up snow and clean out parking lots.
b. In accordance with City Ordinance 7-1-6, Snow and ice removal, property owners are required to remove snow from their sidewalks within 24 hours after the snow ceases. Owners are also required to treat slippery/hazardous surfaces on public sidewalks whenever they exist. Failure to follow this ordinance may result in the City doing the work and charging the cost to the owner.
c. When clearing snow from sidewalks and driveways it is important to remember to NOT deposit the snow on the street. Persons in violation will be eligible for a citation in accordance with Ordinance No. 7-1-4, Obstructions and Encroachments.
E. GARBAGE, RECYCLING AND BULKY ITEM PICKUP
a. These services are contracted with Johns Disposal Service of Whitewater. Instructions for using the carts and collection schedules can be picked up at City Hall, 200D Water Street or Johns Disposal Service website. www.jdisposal.com
b. Carts and Bulky Items are to be put out no earlier than 6 pm the day prior to the scheduled collection. Carts are to be removed by 8 am the day following.
c. If items/carts are put out that are not in accordance with the policies stated above, a special pickup will be ordered, and the cost of the pickup will be billed to the property owner.
F. MISCELLANEOUS RIGHT-OF -WAY ISSUES
a. The right-of-way (ROW) on an ordinary city street is the area between the abutting property lines. It includes the public sidewalks, terrace or tree lawn, curb and gutter, pavement, and whatever public utilities are installed under or over it. It is under City control, however routine maintenance, such as mowing, raking and shoveling are delegated to the abutting owner.
b. If the sidewalk is damaged and/or creates a safety hazard, it should be reported to the Street Dept. (648-4026) for evaluation and inclusion in the sidewalk repair program, at no cost the property owner.
c. All trees and shrubs located within the right-of-way are the property and responsibility of the City of Lake Mills and are governed by Ordinance 665-B, Trees and Plants. A property owner desiring to have a terrace tree trimmed, removed, planted or replaced, should contact the Parks & Forestry Director at 648-2344, to have the request evaluated. The resulting action will be at no cost to the property owner.
d. If an owner is planning to do work in the ROW that disturbs the sidewalk, terrace, driveway apron, curb and gutter, pavement or utilities, an excavation permit must be obtained from City Hall for a fee.
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