Residents near 300 West University urge city action over nighttime garbage pickups

Residents of the 300 block of West University raised a neighborhood complaint during audience participation at the Sept. 16 Champaign City Council meeting, asking the city to address frequent overnight garbage pickups and multiple haulers operating at 3 a.m.

Chris Keckler, who identified himself as a Champaign resident, said residents have had repeated late-night collections and that prior outreach had not produced a follow-up. He said neighbors are preparing a petition with signatures from the block and asked the council or public works to engage.

Councilmembers and the mayor acknowledged the complaint. Councilmember Pampetti said the matter is multilayered and agreed follow-up is needed. The mayor suggested the public works director obtain contact information after the meeting so staff can follow up directly with the block’s residents.

Staff and councilmembers noted operational constraints, including collection timing that is sometimes set to avoid school-bus routes and limits on hauler operations; they said public works has been in contact with haulers previously. No ordinance changes or immediate policy actions were adopted at the meeting; staff committed to follow up with residents after the meeting.