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Did city fade out its brush, limb pickup service?
By watchdog in Watchdog
August 28, 2009

I received this e-mail from a concerned reader:

“This morning I called for brush pickup and limb collection. I was trying to make an appointment so that when our trees are trimmed on Saturday the mess would not sit there for days. When I asked for an appointment for next week, I was told it would not be picked up till the end of September or October. Does the city not have any drivers to do pick up appointments? Or are they trying to fade this service out?”

Good question. I visited the Web site of the city’s solid waste department. You can, too: http://victoriatx.org/environmental/treelimbs.asp. The site describes the city’s relatively new quarterly pickup schedule.

“No, we’re not trying to phase the program out,” said Darryl Lesak, the city’s assistant director of environmental services. “We have a quarterly program. We’ve been doing that since Jan. 1. So, if you’re cutting brush look at the Web site. Look at the date. We’re in every area for about three weeks.”

The pickup schedule is as follows:

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The map of the areas, so you can determine the schedule for your area:

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So, the city does still pick up brush and limbs. Only now, it does so once every three months. Be sure to check this blog or the city’s site the next time you trim the trees.

Thanks again for the question. Be sure to check out my Watchdog newspaper story on Wednesday. I dissect one woman’s anger about a tattered U.S. flag, and why that symbol bodes poorly for a local volunteer group.

Gabe Semenza / Advocate public service editor / watchdog@vicad.com

A NOTE FROM THE CITY

The city will pick up limbs during its weekly trash pickup service, but keep in mind the following caveats.

  • The City will not pick up limbs or brush cut by a commercial operation for hire.

  • Please call the Solid Waste Department at 485-3220 to schedule a pick up.

  • Schedule availability before you cut and stack your limbs.

  • Limbs need to be cut in lengths no longer than eight feet.

  • Face all cut ends in the same direction. The City will pick up tree trunks 4-feet in length. Small amounts of limbs, hedge clippings or similar material will be picked up on each of your regular garbage pick-up days. A bundle must be less than four (4) feet long, less than two (2) feet in diameter and weigh less than fifty (50) lbs. Up to three (3) bundles will be picked up at a time.

  • For more information please call the Solid Waste Dept at 485-3220. Note: This service is provided for occupied residences accounts that the City services. Vacant lots or unoccupied residential houses are not eligible for limb-pick-up.

Comments


  • tipsy361 tipsy361 Report a ViolationReport a Violation
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    This was my answer:

    I understand the confusion on the brush pickup, I will try to clear it up for you. As of January 1st 2009, the city now only picks up brush quarterly, and has a 6 cubic yard limit(4’ high x 4’ wide x 10foot long), anything over the 6 yds will be picked up for $1.50 a minute. We do offer an out of cycle pickup, for $20.00 plus $1.50 a minute, that can be used if we are not in your area. There is also a rule that any brush cut by a commercial tree trimmer, or a for hire service, must be hauled off by that service, it will not be hauled off by the city. I would invite you to visit our web site. we have all the information there, as well as information on the automated service, and our recycling programs. I hope this helps should you have any more questions you can reach me at (361)485-3220 Victoriatx.org

    August 28, 2009 at 3:10 p.m.