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Byram staff proposes limits on limb pickup, aldermen ask for drafted amendment
Summary
Public works proposed narrowing the city's limb-and-debris pickup rules by adding a diameter limit (proposed 10 inches), extending the permitted length to 5 feet, and capping per-pickup volume; the board directed staff to draft an amendment and check existing Keep Byram Beautiful language and utilities' responsibilities.
Public works staff asked the board to consider amending the city's Keep Byram Beautiful property-maintenance rules to reduce damage and downtime to the city's trucks.
The staff member said the city currently limits limbs to 4 feet in length but suggested adding a diameter limit of 10 inches and a pickup cap of about 5 cubic yards. The staff member told the board the truck had been in for repair several times and that larger, contractor-generated tree removals should be the contractor's responsibility. "We're picking up larger stuff that we should be picking up," staff said, explaining equipment damage and service costs.
Aldermen asked for clarity about existing ordinance language, whether utilities (power/cable companies) are responsible after cutting lines, and whether the city may legally provide a referral list of private tree services; the city attorney advised it would be improper to recommend specific businesses, though rotation lists could be used for procurement. Several aldermen supported a measured amendment and asked staff to draft a short ordinance amending the specific limb-and-debris provisions rather than replacing the entire code section.
The board instructed staff to review the current ordinance text, check for existing provisions about contractor responsibility and utility obligations, and return with a drafted amendment at the next work session.
