Watch: Free residential curbside storm debris pickup

The Guthrie City Council determined to provide free residential curbside storm debris pickup from the October ice storm. City officials continue to remind citizens to be patient with the process.

In a special council meeting on Tuesday, the council set a target start date for the residential curbside storm debris pickup beginning sometime in the middle to late December.

Related article: City to open temporary storm debris collection site

The delayed start date will provide homeowners/tenants ample time to clean-up their property and place their limbs and brush alongside the curb of their property for future pickup.

City Manager Leroy Alsup said the Thanksgiving weekend might give family members some extra time to assist elderly family members that need additional assistance to clean-up their property.

The City of Guthrie will be going out for bids to determine if it is more effective to use an outside contractor versus using existing city crews for the curbside pickup. The process could take approximately three weeks.

In the meantime City Crews will concentrate on cleaning up the City Parks, Lakes, Cemetery and other public properties.

The City shared some reminders for curbside pickup.

• The free curbside pickup is strictly limited to residential properties within the Guthrie city limits. The curbside pickup is not available to businesses, churches, or apartment complexes.
• The City will not be going onto any private residences’ property to retrieve limbs or brush. Each property owner/tenant is responsible for the clean-up of their own property. That includes everything from the street curb (paving) in front of your property all the way back to the middle of the ally or the back of your property if there is no alley.
• Tree debris must be cut into no more than six (6) foot sections and be placed within five (5) feet of the curb of the residence. Residents are asked to avoid piling debris on the street or near water meters, gas meters, phone pedestals, mailboxes, fire hydrants or irrigation systems. The City will not be responsible for any lawn damage.
• Residents are requested to place limbs in a direction running parallel with the curb line.
• All residences are requested to have their limbs and brush to the curb prior to the targeted December start date to avoid repetitive pickup efforts.
• There will be two rounds of tree debris pick up Crews will begin at the west city limits and work their way east.  Once they have completed the entire city, they will begin the second round moving from west to east. 
• THIS CURBSIDE PICKUP IS LIMITED SOLELY TO TREE LIMBS AND BRUSH ONLY. Plastics of any kind, bagged brush/limbs, lumber, fencing, household trash or any other special waste items shall NOT be picked up and residents should avoid mixing trash and limbs at the curb.

In the meantime residents who don’t want to wait for the curbside pickup have two other options for immediate limb and debris removal.

OPTION 1- Regular Trash Service

• On your regular trash day, you can place up to three tied bundles of limbs at the curb along with your regular trash can. Each bundle needs to be 55 lbs. or less, and limited to 4 feet long or less.
• On your bulk waste pick up day, you can place more than the three tied bundle limit, up to three cubic yards of total of limbs at the curb for pick up. Each bundle still needs to be 55 lbs. or less, and limited to 4 feet long or less.
• Bulk Waste Schedule:
• Monday Trash Day – 1st Wednesday
• Tuesday Trash Day – 2nd Wednesday
• Thursday Trash Day – 3rd Wednesday
• Friday Trash Day – 4th Wednesday

OPTION 2- Temporary Storm Debris Collection Site at the Guthrie Convenience Center

• Opening Date- The storm  debris collection site will open on Thursday, November 12, 2020
• Location- Guthrie Convenience Center (1506 N. Academy Road).
• Hours Open- Tuesday through Friday 9 a.m. to 4:45 p.m. and Saturday 8 a.m. to 4:45 p.m.
• Closed- Sundays, Mondays, and Holidays.
• THIS COLLECTION SITE IS LIMITED SOLELY TO TREE LIMBS AND BRUSH ONLY.
• Free limb/brush drop off is strictly limited to residential solid waste (trash) utility customers that reside within the Guthrie city limits.
• A copy of a current Guthrie utility bill and a valid photo ID are required for verification.
• The collection site is not open to businesses/churches or apartment complexes (Commercial Loads)
• All Commercial Loads will be charged and put in roll-off boxes.
• $10.00 per Cubic Yard for commercial entities located inside the city limits. (Verification Required) / $12.50 per Cubic Yard for all others outside the city limits inclusive of residences outside of the city limits.
• All residents will be required to unload themselves. There will be no unload or pull off assistance provided by city staff.
• Due to space restrictions all bumper pull trailers shall be limited to 16 foot in length and dump beds are limited to 8 yards.
• Plastics of any kind, bagged brush/limbs, lumber, fencing, household trash or any other special waste items shall NOT be accepted.
• The City of Guthrie will be following all DEQ regulations.