Geneva Considering Special Brush Pickup Following Blizzard

The city’s curbside leaf collection is scheduled to resume on the west side of Geneva during the week of Dec. 3 after the program was temporarily halted due to a recent blizzard.The upcoming forecast indicates moderate weather combined with rain should melt the current snowpack. The city’s contractor will continue the second round of collections for Zones B and C, which are neighborhoods west of the Fox River, according to a news release.

Residents living east of the river already had their leaves picked up a second time prior to the storm.Given the early arrival of snow, the city’s Public Works plow teams had to move snow-covered leaf piles in order to provide safe travel conditions for residents, visitors and emergency vehicles. Safety is always the city’s top priority, according to a news release.

The city realizes some residents may be frustrated with the inconvenience of having to rake leaves back to the curb for the upcoming collection but does appreciate everyone’s cooperation to help the program run efficiently.Pickup is scheduled to start Monday, Dec. 3 and is expected to take most of the week to complete both west side zones, weather permitting.

Many residents have inquired if the city will be conducting a special brush collection given the amount of tree and limb damage resulting from the wet and heavy snow. Since the city’s annual brush program already concluded for the year, the Geneva City Council will consider a proposal for a special collection at its next meeting Monday, Dec. 3.

If approved, the city will announce program details on its website, social media and other communication channels.The city’s annual curbside leaf collection does consist of three rounds of pickups for all residents.

However, the city and contractor agreed to postpone the final pickup community-wide until March since the windows of nice weather tend to diminish as the calendar moves deeper into December. The city will announce spring collection dates in the coming months.

All residents still looking to dispose of leaves in December can participate in the city’s leaf bag collection program. Leaves should be placed in brown yard waste bags. Refuse stickers are not required, but bags must only contain leaves. Yard waste, brush, mulch or grass clippings mixed with leaves will not be accepted. Bags can be left at the curb on residents’ regular garbage day.

The city’s 2018 curbside leaf collection faced significant challenges this year with nearly a complete leaf drop at the program’s onset in early November. The heavy leaf volume mixed with early snow events caused the program to fall behind schedule.

The city of Geneva understands some people have been unhappy with the delays, city officials said.

Under the new plan, while not ideal, all residents will have received two leaf pickups this year with a final collection slated for March.

For more information, call the Geneva Public Works Department at 630-232-1501. A revised program map and schedule is available on the city’s website.