MISSION STATEMENT

The mission of the South Milwaukee Street Department is to coordinate all facets of the daily operations inherent in providing the community with safe streets, parks and recreation areas and buildings and grounds and provide its residents with efficient and dependable service in the areas of refuse collection, snow and ice removal and street maintenance and repair. Central to this mission is the ability to respond accurately and courteously to complaints and concerns of local residents relating to the services provided by the Street Department and its employees.  You can reach the Street Department at 414-768-8075.

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The Street Department and Stores and Equipment under the direction of the Street Superintendent consists of one assistant superintendent, thirteen laborers, nine truck drivers and/or equipment operators, three mechanics and one clerk. Refuse collection, street repairs, snow and ice removal are its primary responsibilities. Other duties include maintenance and erection of traffic signals and signs, emergency barricading, maintenance of city owned property and miscellaneous public works duties.

Street name signs, traffic control signs and symbols, and vehicle decals are computer designed and assembled in the Departments Utility Shop with the latest state of the art equipment and materials to insure the longest life and safest road conditions. Street striping and parking lot marking are performed annually. The Department also designs and assembles signs for other City Departments.

During the growing season, the Department cuts and maintains grass areas on City owned property such as parks, traffic islands, parking lots and drainage ditches. The Department also administers a weed control program where noxious weeds are cut and billed back to the property owner.

The Department Street sweepers start in the spring of the year and continue to sweep into the fall of the year incorporating leave collection. Street sweepings account for over 350 ton of debris per year. Leave collection starts October 1 and continues up until Thanksgiving. During that period, the Department collects and hauls to composting piles 3,400 cubic yards of leaves which equates to well over 800 tons.

The Department collects 6,700 tons of garbage yearly from  weekly curb side collections.

The Department responded to 3,380 special pick up requests for rubbish and brush collection that amounted to 500 tons of rubbish and 718 tons of brush which was chipped and sent to compost piles.

The Department also operates a self deposit station at 1106 Blake Avenue which collects rubbish, yard waste, concrete, stone, brick and other assorted materials which residents can dispose of at their convenience. The station collected 10,000 gallons of drain oil, 176 tons of scrap metal, 6 tons of batteries, 15 tons of tires, 400 tons of yard waste and 1,700 cubic yards of concrete and dirt.

The Street Department conducts an average of 30 salting operations during an average winter season. Snowfalls which require plowing average six times during the winter and range from light and fluffy, to heavy and wet snow.

The Stores and Equipment Department is responsible for the maintenance of all City vehicles and equipment used by the Street, Police, Water and Wastewater Treatment Facility. Three mechanics are responsible for all repairs, maintenance and servicing of the equipment. They currently service 77 motor vehicles ranging from cars up to garbage trucks, 6 pieces of off road construction equipment and numerous small and specialty items. Stores and Equipment performs the purchasing for the Street Department and maintenance supplies for all vehicles as well as fuel and oil. The clerk is responsible for purchasing, pricing, employee records, vehicle maintenance records, requests for service and incoming complaints.

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Animal Traps The Street Department has available Live animal Cage Traps for residents. These traps can be used to trap wild and domestic animals that have intruded into your house, garage or sheds. They may be used for domestic animals in your yard. The trapping of wild animals is regulated by the Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources and they should be contacted with the particulars before attempting to trap wild animals.

The traps are available at the Street Department by placing a refundable deposit to insure the return of the trap in a clean and working order within 30 days.

Small Traps for chipmunks, weasels etc. $30.00
Medium Traps for Skunks, rabbits, squirrels etc. $40.00
Large Traps for raccoons, opossum, woodchucks, cats, dogs, etc. $50.00

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Appliance Disposal Washing machines, dryers, refrigerators, freezers, air conditioners, stoves, and ovens may be disposed of by requesting a Special Pick Up or taking the items to the Self Deposit Station. There is a fee for the disposal of any appliance that uses freon to insure that it is properly recycled.

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Brush Tree branches, brush, shrubs and bushes may be scheduled as a Special Pick Up as long as they can be chipped. No root balls, dirt or stone can be on the brush. Tree branches may be any length and up to 6 inches in diameter.

Brush should be stacked as neat as possible within 3 feet of the curb or alley with the cut end facing with traffic or towards the street.

Logs that cannot be chipped should be cut into lengths that can be handled by one person. Logs will be picked up a day or two after the brush has been chipped.

Logs and stumps that cannot be chipped or handled by one person can be disposed of for a fee as a Loader Pick Up. An estimate will be dropped off to inform you that there will be a charge to dispose of them. The Self Deposit Station can be used free of charge for logs and stumps if you have the means to transport them there. Residents are allowed 2 brush pick ups or 2 special pick ups per year or a combination of each. A special pick up and brush pick up can be scheduled at the same time and will count as one pick up.

The fee for additional pick ups is $30.00 each.

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Christmas Trees and Wreaths Christmas trees can be placed at the curb or in your normal garbage collection area for disposal. The Street Department collects them until early February. The trees are chipped and disposed of as mulch. Wreaths should be treated as garbage and can be placed out for regular garbage collection.

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Freon Appliances In 1990, Wisconsin enacted laws to prohibit the release of chlorofluorcarbon (CFC or "freon") refrigerants during the service or disposal of refrigeration or air conditioning equipment. These units (refrigerator, freezer, air conditioner and dehumidifier) must be sent to an approved contractor for removal of the freon and reclamation of the oils in them.

The fee for disposal is $15.00 per unit. This must be paid at the City Treasurer's office prior to collection. Doors must be removed from refrigerators and freezers. The unit will then be scheduled for a Special Pick Up. All Special Pick Up rules apply.

These appliances may be taken to the Self Deposit Station for disposal if you have the means to take them. The same fee applies and may be paid at the Station.

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Garbage

The Street Department collects garbage weekly from residences and commercial establishments. 

  2010 Holiday Schedule

Holiday	Regular Pick Up	Rescheduled Pick Up	Recycling
Memorial Day	Monday	Friday, June 4	Yellow
Fourth of July Holiday	Monday, July 5	Friday, July 9	Orange
Labor Day	Monday	Friday, September 10	Yellow
Thanksgiving	Thursday	Saturday, November 27	Orange

 

GARBAGE AND REFUSE DISPOSAL. Definitions.

Refuse - Refuse shall mean garbage, rubbish or both. Refuse does not include yard waste, liquids or recyclables as described in Section 26.11.

Garbage - Garbage includes all refuse accumulations of animal, fruit or vegetable matter that attend the preparation use, cooking, dealing in or storage of meat, fish, fowl, fruits or vegetables. Liquids are not garbage.

Rubbish - Rubbish includes all other refuse except, but not limited to, rocks, concrete, bricks, wood and lumber, trees, plaster, dirt, and other solid material similar to those described herein. Yard waste is not rubbish.

Special Pickup - Waste Material - Special pickup - waste material includes, but shall not be limited to, rocks, concrete, bricks, wood, lumber, trees, plaster, dirt, used household furniture and appliances, and other material similar to those described herein.

Yard Waste - Yard waste as used herein is as defined in Wisconsin Statutes 159.07 and includes leaves, grass clippings, yard and garden debris and brush including clean woody vegetative material no greater than six inches in diameter.

Liquids - No liquids will be picked up or disposed of at regular or special pick-ups.
 
 

GARBAGE TO BE DEPOSITED IN CONTAINERS OR ASSEMBLED FOR COLLECTION. (a) For daily storage of all garbage created, accumulated or produced shall be deposited in containers of a type approved by the Street Superintendent of the City of South Milwaukee, equipped with suitable handles and tight fitting covers, and shall be water-tight. Each container shall have a capacity of not less than twenty (20) gallons and not more than thirty-two (32) gallons. Containers and the yard area in which they are stored shall be kept in clean, neat and sanitary condition at all times. Non Regulation containers placed out for collection will be disposed of.

Plastic bags with a minimum mil thickness of 1.5 are suitable for the deposit of garbage and refuse and will facilitate collection thereof. Use of plastic bags which are securely sealed is encouraged for collection and daily storage of garbage and refuse in approved metal or plastic containers. Plastic bags with garbage and refuse shall not be stored in the open.   (c) Any refuse which cannot be placed in a container due to its size, nature or content shall be bundled, packaged or otherwise assembled for collection. 

COLLECTION OF GARBAGE AND RUBBISH. 

(a) Time of Collection. Collection of garbage shall be made at least once a week on a day certain from private residences and commercial establishments. This collection shall be referred to as a regular pickup.

Time of Deposit. Containers of garbage and rubbish shall be placed in an area as specified hereinafter, no later than 7:00 A.M. on the date of collection, but not sooner than 7:00 P.M. on the day preceding collection. Containers shall be removed from the deposit area no later than 7:00 A.M. on the day after collection.

Containers of garbage and rubbish, including containers as defined herein, or plastic bags, shall be placed within three (3) feet of the curb in the curb-lawn area, or within three (3) feet of the edge of the alley on private property.

Special Conditions for Regular Pickup.

During winter months, plastic bags, containers or other refuse shall not be placed on snow banks but shall be placed in a cleared driveway or a cleared section of the deposit area if there is not driveway.

Containers will not be emptied if the container and its containers exceed 50 pounds.

City employees shall not enter onto private property for the collection of garbage and rubbish, except onto the deposit area, or to collect special containers which have been approved as to type and location by the Street Superintendent.

COLLECTION OF OTHER REFUSE. The Street Superintendent shall issue specific instructions to the person requesting a special pickup to facilitate collection. If said instructions are not complied with, the City may refuse to collect the waste material.

When and as the Street Superintendent determines he is able to dispose of tree branch, shrub and bush material without violating any state or federal laws, codes or rules, tree branch, shrub and bush pickup or chipping shall be done as scheduled by the Street Superintendent. No other yard waste will be collected by special pickup.

SPECIAL CONDITIONS FOR SPECIAL PICKUP.
The City will not provide special pickup service of waste material which is the result of work done by a private contractor even though a building or demolition permit was issued to the owner of said premises. Whenever a private contractor performs work on private premises from which waste material results, the owner or contractor shall be responsible for its disposal.  

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Household Hazardous Waste Disposal

The City participates with the Milwaukee Metropolitan Sewerage District for the collection of Hazardous Household Waste. This service is funded from your recycling fees. The City hosts pickup at the Self-Deposit Station one weekend per year, usually during the summer. You are also allowed to take Hazardous Household Waste to any of the mobile sites around the county hosted by other municipalities. There is also a permanent facility located at W124 N9451 Boundary Road, Menomonee Falls and a second facility at 10518 South 124^th Street, Franklin. Call 225-2066 for additional information.
 South Milwaukee Self Deposit Station  1106 Blake Avenue
 

LISTS OF UNACCEPTABLE AND ACCEPTABLE HOUSEHOLD 
HAZARDOUS WASTE FOR MMSD COLLECTION PROGRAM
Table 1: ACCEPTABLE HOUSEHOLD HAZARDOUS WASTE

Adhesives	Metal Cleaners-acids
Antifreeze	Mothballs
Artist/Hobby Paints	Oven Cleaners-aerosol cans
Brake Fluids	Paint Remover
Carburetor Cleaner	Paint thinner
Concrete Cleanser-acid	Paints (Lead-based)
De-greasers	Paints (Oil-based)
Cleaners	Pesticides
Driveway Sealers	Photographic chemicals
Fertilizers	Polish and Spot Removers
Fertilizers with Weed Killers	Pool Chemicals
Floor Wax/Strippers	Rat/Rodent Poisons
Furniture Stripper-water based	Solvents
Furniture Strippers-solvents	Stains
Gasoline	Thermometers(mercury)
Gasoline/Oil Mixture	Transmission Fluid
Glues with Solvents	Turpentine
Herbicides	Varnish-Solvent Based
Household Batteries	Varnish-Water Based
Lacquer	Wood Preservative-creosote
Lighter Fluids	Wood Preservative-solvents
Mercury Containing Waste

Table 2: UNACCEPTABLE HOUSEHOLD HAZARDOUS WASTE

Propane Cylinders	Tires Of Any Type
Fluorescent Light Bulbs	Major Appliances
Ammunition	Explosives
Fireworks	Medical Waste
Compressed Gas Cylinders	Lead Acid batteries
Radioactive Waste	Unidentified 50 Gallon Drums

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Latex Paint Latex paint should be dried out with cat liter or oil dry and disposed of with regular garbage.  Paint will only be accepted if it is completely solid.
 

Motor Oil - Take to Self Deposit Station.
Automotive Antifreeze - Take to Self Deposit Station
Ammunition and Explosives - Contact your local Police Department
Propane Gas Cylinders - Return to Manufacturer
Auto Batteries - Take to Self Deposit Station

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Leaf Collection Residents are allowed to place LEAVES ONLY IN THE GUTTER FROM October 1^st until 
November 15^th. Please do not place any garden waste, branches or plants in with the leaves. If you have a pile of leaves in front of your residence on November 15^th, you may continue to add to that pile until it is removed. After that, leaves must be taken to the Self Deposit Station for disposal. There is no charge for leave disposal. It takes approximately 5 to 8 working days to completely pick up leaves city wide.

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Loader Pick Ups Special Pick Up with loader is a fee based service for the collection of rocks, concrete, bricks, wood, lumber, trees, plaster, dirt, used household furniture and appliances which cannot be moved by hand. The cost is $50.00 for the first truck load and $25.00 for each additional load. Material should be placed within 3 feet of the curb or alley. Materials should not be mixed. This may result in a higher charge. Any material which is not dirt, concrete, tree branches or logs will be assessed an addition $20.00 per cubic yard to offset the cost of disposal. Call the Street Department to request an estimate for Loader jobs. The option is available to take the material in question to the Self Deposit Station at no charge.

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Recycling Recycling collection is provided by contract through Superior Services. Any questions regarding a missed pick up or poor service are best directed to Superior Services's Customer Service at (262) 679-0860.
 
   
 

What to Recycle	How to Prepare
Glass Containers
Jars & bottles only No light bulbs No dishes or glasses No window glass/mirrors No broken glass	Rinse Clean Color:  clear, green, brown No need to remove lables Remove lid - place lid in regular garbage
Plastic
Only containers marked on bottom: 1 - soda and clean liquor bottles 2 - milk, detergent, water, shampoo and juice bottles, etc. No containers for medicine, yogurt, cottage cheese, or motor oil	Rinse Clean Remove lid - place lid in regular garbage No plastic bags
Steel Cans
Food cans only - no cans for paint or chemicals	Rinse Clean Remove labels Remove lid - place lid in regular garbage Place lid in garbage due to sharp edge
Aluminum
Cans only No foil, pie plates or caps	Rinse Clean
Newspapers
Newsprint (can include inserts) Magazines Cardboard of a corrugated nature No junk mail No cereal boxes, egg cartons, or pizza boxes	Tie in Bundles of 8" or less Or Place in brown paper bags, keep dry MUST be placed on top of other recyclables inside cart

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Special Pick Up

The Street Department provides Special Pick Up of waste material not normally collected with your regular garbage. This includes rocks, concrete, bricks, wood, lumber, trees, plaster, dirt, used household furniture, appliances and other material similar to those described. There are size, weight and quantity limitations which determine if it is a Loader Pick Up or a freon appliance and a fee is to be charged. 

Items should be assembled within 3 feet of the curb or alley. All items should be in containers and weigh no more than 100 lbs. The City will not enter onto private property or into garages to perform collections. 

The following items are not collected on a Special Pick Up: 

Antifreeze	see Self Deposit Station
Hazardous Material	see Household Hazardous Waste
Liquids	see Household Hazardous Waste
Loose Material
Motor Oil	see Self Deposit Station
Paint	see Household Hazardous Waste
Recyclable Material	see Recycling
Tires	see Self Deposit Station
Yard Waste	see Yard Waste

 The City will not provide Special Pick Up service of waste material which is the result of work done by a private contractor even though a building or demolition permit was issued to the owner of said premises. Whenever a private contractor performs work on private premises from which waste material results, the owner or contractor shall be responsible for the disposal. 

Residents are allowed Special Pick Ups in accordance with the following schedule: 

NUMBER OF LIVING UNITS ON PROPERTY	NUMBER OF SPECIALS PICK  UPS WITHOUT CHARGE
1 - 4	2 per year
5 - 12	4 per year
13 - 24	8 per year
24 & up	1 per month

 Special Pick Ups in excess of the above schedule are $30.00 each. 

Special Pick Ups and brush pick ups scheduled at the same time count as one pick up. 

Request for Special Pick Up

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Self Deposit Station

The Self Deposit Station is located at 1106 Blake Avenue. (2 blocks south of Drexel Blvd and 1 block east of South Chicago Avenue) 

WINTER HOURS	SUMMER HOURS
December 1 to March 31	April 1 to November 30
Tuesday - Friday 11:30 AM to 5:30 PM	Tuesday - Friday 11:30 AM to 6:30 PM
Saturday 9:00 AM to 4:00 PM	Saturday 9:00 AM to 4:00 PM

The Self Deposit Station is closed on Sundays and Mondays throughout the year 

The Station may be closed due to inclement weather. 

Citizens who wish to utilize the Self-Deposit Station will be charged a $2.00 per day user fee.

The Station accepts the following items and waste for no additional charge: 

Auto Antifreeze  Lawnmowers  Appliances (non-freon)  Leaves  Asphalt  Logs  Automotive Batteries Metal  Branches Motor Oil  Bricks

Newspaper  Cardboard  Sod  Concrete  Stumps  Dirt  Televisions  Dryers  Washing Machines  Garbage  Yard Waste (No green grass clippings)

Items requiring a disposal fee: 

• Freon Bearing Appliances $15.00 each unit
• (air conditioners, dehumidifier, freezer, refrigerator)

• Grass clippings $1.00 per 32 gallon bag or container
•  Tires: (removed from rim)
• Size 17" or less $2.00 each
• Size Larger than 17" $6.00 each

 The following items are not accepted at the Self Deposit Station: 

Hazardous Material	see Household Hazardous Waste
Liquids	except motor oil and antifreeze
Latex Paint while liquid	see Latex Paint
Oil Base Paint	see Household Hazardous Waste

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Snow Removal The South Milwaukee Municipal Code requires that public sidewalks and adjoining crosswalks be cleared of snow and ice within 24 hours after the snow has ceased to fall or accumulate. Failure to comply authorizes the City to have such work performed and to bill the property owner for this service.

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Tree Trimming The City performs periodic inspections of street, alleys and sidewalks to insure that property owners comply with section 9.10 of the Municipal Code that provides for safe clearance of trees, bushes and vegetation when they might encroach onto the public right-of-way of vehicles and pedestrian traffic. A 
10 foot minimum clearance is required over sidewalks, alleys and streets. 

No owner of any land or premises in front or on which trees grow with branches hanging over the sidewalks shall permit any part or portion of such tree to hang over any sidewalks, street or alley in this City at a height of less than 10 feet above the level of such sidewalk, street or alley. 

It shall be the duty of the owner of any land or premises of this City where any trees may be found with the branches hanging over any sidewalks, street or alley at a height less than 10 feet above the level thereof to trim or otherwise remove, within 10 days after being notified in writing by the City Engineer, all parts and portions of such trees which hang or project over the sidewalk, street or alley at a height less than 10 feet above the level thereof. 

In the event of the failure of the owner of any property or premises in front of or on which trees grow with branches hanging over the sidewalks, streets or alleys at a height less than 10 feet, to comply with the requirements with this section, for a period of 10 days after being notified in writing so to do, the City Engineer may cause the branches or other parts of such trees to be trimmed or otherwise removed and charge the cost of such work against the lots, parts of lots or parcels of land on or in front of which such trees may grow, and the expense therefore shall be a valid charge and lien against the same to be collected at the time and in the manner general city taxes are collected. 

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Weed Complaints Refer all weed complaints to the Street Department. 

The term "Noxious weeds as used herein shall include the following: Canada thistle, leafy spurge and field bindweed (creeping Jenny) and any other such weeds as shall be determined by ordinance or resolution to be noxious. 

Every person shall destroy all noxious weeds on all lands which he shall own, occupy or control including the parkway upon which lands abut. 

The term "destroy" means the complete killing of weeds or killing of weed plants above the surface by the use of chemicals or cutting at such time and in such manner as will effectually prevent such plants from maturing to the bloom or flower stage. 

The Mayor shall annually, on or before May 15, publish a Class II notice under Chapter 985, Wisconsin Statutes, that every person is required by law to destroy all noxious weeds as defined herein on lands in the City which he owns, occupies or controls, including parkways upon which lands abut.

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Yard Waste The City provides for drop off of yard waste at the Self Deposit Station. Residents may bring leaves, yard debris, garden debris, plants, shrubs and thatch to the Self Deposit Station for disposal free of charge. Green grass clippings are accepted for a fee of $1.00 per bag or 32 gallon container. Any yard waste that has green grass clippings in it is chargeable at the above rate. 

No yard waste is collected at the property.