Street Sweeping

updated: Friday, March 09, 2012

Our mission is to clean city streets to provide safe conditions for all modes of transportation. All city streets are swept twice a year – in the spring and again in the fall. It is important to remember that sweeping grass clippings and leaves into the street is not only bad for our local lakes, creeks and rivers; it is also a violation of city ordinance.

Grass and leaves, along with other organic materials that are washed into the storm drain system, end up in our local water bodies. These materials decompose and release phosphorous into the water. Algae use this nutrient to grow, which in turn could turn your local lake green. Better alternatives include leaving grass clippings on your lawn or collecting the grass and leaves for collection by Waste Management, the city's yard waste hauler.

If possible, please avoid parking on streets during daytime hours. The city does not post “no parking” signs for street sweeping since it sweeps on a continuous cycle while the weather holds. Crews can do a better job, however, when cars aren’t blocking their access to the curb.