COLDWATER, MI (WTVB) – A proposed change in the pickup of residential brush to twice a year was given the brush off by members of the Coldwater City Council on Monday night.
The proposed policy that would have taken effect on January 1, 2024 called for brush to be collected twice annually in April and November in addition to storm related pickups. Brush needed to be out by 8:00 a.m. the morning of the pickup and not earlier than 5:00 p.m. on the Friday immediately prior to the pick-up date.
In addition, the placing brush out after the spring or fall pickups may result in a civil infraction citation being issued by the Neighborhood Services Department.
Brush is currently picked up eight times on a monthly basis. City Manager Keith Baker said the proposed policy would free up Department of Municipal Services staff members for other work.
Council Members Jim Knaack and Travis Machan said people were not happy about the proposed changes.
Mayor Tom Kramer questioned how it would be enforced.
Department of Municipal Services Director Bob Granger told the Coldwater City Council back in August that abuse of the program was a problem.
The proposed policy would have yard waste pickup every Monday from April through October. Fall leaf pickup will occur in October and November. Residents in the City of Coldwater and Coldwater Township can drop off brush and bagged yard waste in paper bags only at the D.M.S. facility on Industrial Avenue between 8:00 a.m. and 4:00 p.m. weekdays and Saturdays from 9:00 a.m. until 2:00 p.m. between April and November.
No formal action was taken by the Council on Monday but the proposed policy will be changed and brought back during a future meeting based on the discussion among Council members.
Nonsense. Target the alleged abusers and stop whining. Civil infractions are nothing more that a power grab by those that have none.
People from the country bring their yard waste into Coldwater because they have don’t have disposal sites available to them