City of Oak Creek

Common Council Report

Meeting Date:  January 6, 2004

Item No.:7

Recommendation:  That the Common Council approve the recommendation of the Street Superintendent to pick up brush from residents bi-annually beginning in 2004, and to direct that an ordinance be prepared.

Background:  For many years, the Street Department has picked up brush from residents monthly from March 1^st through November 1^st and also during the Spring and Fall Clean ups.  Years prior, brush was picked up daily when enough requests were received to warrant sending out the chipper.

The Street Department has also encountered, on many occasions, brush pick up requests that have resulted from the clearing of a lot for the purpose of new home construction.  At times, work was being done by a contractor for the owner of the future home.  This ordinance change will not allow this practice to happen in the future.

The scheduled bi-annual pick ups will occur on May 1^st and October 1^st.  The Street Department no longer feels that it is cost effective to pick up brush monthly.  In 2001 the Street Department spent 2,057 hours brush chipping and in 2002, the hours spent brush chipping was 1,603.                     

Fiscal Impact:  This would allow the Street Department employees to work on various projects throughout the year.  Estimated savings for one (1) year would be $15,000.00 to $20,000.00

Approved by:

Bill Schaper

Street Superintendent

Fiscal Review by:

Beverly A. Buretta, CMC

City Clerk

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