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�� � REQUEST FOR COUNCIL ACTION Department Approval r- Item Description: Discuss Leaf Collection Program BACKGROUND Date: April 13, 2015 Item No.: 15.b City Manager Approval The City of Roseville has provided a curbside leaf pickup service to Roseville residents since 1970 when a state wide burning ban went into effect. In 1997, the City adopted a fee-for-service program to help minimize direct costs to City operating budgets. The program has been managed with a user fee since 1997. In more recent years the City Council direction to staff is to annually recommend a registration fee that will cover the entire cost of the collection program. The annual fee is fairly predictable based on labor and equipment cost increases except when the weather does not cooperate during the program as happened last fall. As the fee has increased to cover the full cost, participation rates have fallen to the most recent 2014 registration of just under 700 properties. This is under 8% participation of all residential properties in the City. We are at a juncture where the majority of the specialized equipment used for this program is in need of replacement. Staff feels it is a good time to revisit the need to provide this service to residents and the alternatives available to them. It is a very labor intensive program utilizing most of the Street Division staff for a period of three weeks each year. Staff will present the recent registration history and costs of this program and other unmet needs where the resources could be redirected if the Council chose to eliminate the collection portion of the leaf recycling program. This program was discussed with the Public Works, Environment, and Transportation Commission at their March meeting. A copy of the draft minutes of that discussion is attached (Attachment A). � � Policy Objective The City Council goals and strategic directives include sustainability as a priority. Recycling of yard waste helps to meet this priarity while helping to keep nutrients out of our stormwater ponds and lakes. There are a number of alternatives available to residents to dispose of their leaves. Financial Impacts The leaf collection program is funded from the Storm Water Utility enterprise fund when costs exceed the fee revenue. Staff Recommendations Staff recommends the Council consider the elimination of the leaf collection due to low participation and near term equipment replacement needs. Page 1 of 2