There are several changes to residential garbage, yard waste and recycling services scheduled to take effect in 2013. The following provides the schedule for Loose-in-the-Street yard waste collection for 2013, including information on current services as well as changes scheduled to take effect after July 1, 2013.

Current Containerized Yard Waste Residential Customers

In 2013, Loose-in-the-Street collection will be available citywide two weeks in the spring and during the Fall/Winter leaf season from November 1, 2013 through January 30, 2014.

The last two spring citywide Loose-in-the-Street collections will be in the third week of February and last week of May 2013.

In order to ensure material is collected during the spring citywide loose-in-the-street service, all yard waste must be placed out for collection no later than 6:00 a.m. on Monday, February 18, 2013 and Monday, May 27, 2013.

After July 1, 2013 all residential yard waste customers will have weekly containerized pickup year-round and citywide Loose-in-the-Street collection only during the Fall/Winter leaf season from November 1, 2013 through January 30, 2014.

More information on this program change will be sent to all customers in spring of 2013.

Current Year–Round, Loose-in-the-Street Residential Customers

Year-round, Loose-in-the-Street pickup service will continue until June 30, 2013

On July 1, 2013, year-round, Loose-in-the-Street pickup will no longer be offered. Former year-round, Loose-in-the-Street customers will be required to use containers for weekly yard waste collection.

After July 1, 2013 all residential yard waste customers will have weekly containerized pickup year-round and citywide Loose-in-the-Street collection only during the Fall/Winter leaf season from November 1, 2013 through January 30, 2014.More information on this program change, including container delivery dates, will be sent to customers in spring 2013.

2012-2013 Leaf Season/Christmas Tree Recycling Ongoing through January 14, 2013.

The city provides curbside holiday tree pickup. The last day trees can be placed out for citywide pickup is 6:00 a.m. on Monday, January 14, 2013. Trees should be clean of all lights, tinsel, decorations etc. and have no stand attached. Flocked trees will be accepted.

If you miss the citywide tree collection on January 14, 2013, and you have a yard waste container, you may cut your tree into pieces that will fit completely into the container with the lid closed. It will be collected on your next regular weekly collection day.

If you pay for year-round Loose-in-the-Street service and missed the citywide pickup week, you may place your tree out on your next scheduled Loose-in-the-Street collection day.

For more information on Solid Waste & Recycling Division services, visit call 311.

Rebuild McKinley Steering Committee Chooses Community Build Date

1994 Community Build

The Rebuild McKinley Steering Committee is pleased to announce that dates in late spring have been chosen for the community rebuild of the McKinley Playground.   The new playground, designed with input from area school children and parents will be completed just in time for the beginning of their summer break from school.  Mark your calendars for Tuesday, June 4 through Sunday, June 9, 2013.  To sign up for updates on progress or to help with the community rebuild, visitwww.rebuildmckinley.org.  As time draws nearer, you will be contacted about a more specific commitment of time.

The Committee also chose Play by Design, a group of playground designers and building consultants who work with community volunteers to produce custom-designed play structures.  Play by Design and the Steering Committee are working to plan a “Design Day” in January 2013, where they will visit several neighborhood schools to gather ideas and the day will end with a meeting to present those ideas to the community.