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Milwaukee Public Works outlines spring leaf‑collection pilot and bagging option after early snowfall disrupted fall pickup
Summary
Department of Public Works described a March bagging pilot and a limited spring collection (rake‑out deadline March 15) to pick up residual leaves after an early snow; staff cited staffing limits, proposed bag distribution and an April Clean & Green shift, and said mechanical sweeping will take roughly four months to cycle the city.
Aldermen pressed city sanitation officials on Tuesday about plans to pick up leftover fall leaves after an early snowfall complicated the usual schedule. Department of Public Works officials described a short spring collection and a bagging pilot intended to remove roughly the remaining 30% of uncollected leaves.
“Part of this pilot…we’re calling it the bagged‑leaves pilot that we’re doing this spring,” said the Commissioner of Public Works, describing distribution plans for compostable paper bags and a schedule to make bag pickup available to residents. Staff said the spring operation will give crews a month to consolidate curb piles ahead of the city’s Clean & Green program.
Rick Myers, sanitation services manager, said mechanical sweepers are being readied and that a full cycle to sweep the city will take about four months: “We think it’ll take about 4 months to cycle through the city to get…this final pass on the leaves.” Officials cautioned that sweepers require consistent temperatures to operate and that staffing limits prevent year‑round leaf collection. The department estimated the bagging pilot could be expanded into fall if staffing and logistical issues are resolved.
Aldermen asked whether targeted temporary no‑parking enforcement or alternate side parking might be used for dense curb lanes and whether the pilot includes outreach to business improvement districts, Riverkeeper and other stakeholders. Officials said they will follow up, may consider targeted one‑side no‑parking for heavy‑density areas and intend to evaluate the pilot in June.
City staff warned residents to use compostable lawn bags only (black plastic bags are not acceptable) and asked residents to place bag pickup requests online so crews can prioritize bagged pickups. The committee placed the file on record and requested a future report on the pilot’s performance.
