Urging the Nutter Administration to reinstitute mechanical leaf collection service in the City of Philadelphia

WHEREAS, The City no longer provides mechanical leaf collection service; and

WHEREAS, Piles of leaves left curbside will become rain-soaked, thus creating slick surfaces that pose a serious safety hazard for both drivers and pedestrians; and

WHEREAS, Piles of leaves left curbside will clog storm water inlets; and

WHEREAS, Piles of leaves left curbside will become dried out posing a fire hazard, particularly when exposed to the hot surfaces of the underside of a vehicle; and

WHEREAS, Piles of leaves left in a public right-of-way will create similar hazards endangering public structures including bridges, buildings, etc.; and

WHEREAS, Piles of leaves left curbside may create an attractive nuisance to children who can sustain serious or fatal injuries when struck by a vehicle while playing in the leaf piles; and

WHEREAS, Piles of leaves left curbside will complicate snowplowing; and

WHEREAS, Piles of leaves left curbside reduce the overall number of available parking spaces within a neighborhood; and

WHEREAS, Additional costs will be incurred by the City of Philadelphia if separate personnel and trucks from the Streets Department must be utilized to collect leaf-filled, biodegradable paper bags; therefore,

BE IT NOW RESOLVED, BY THE COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF PHILADELPHIA, That it urges the Nutter Administration to reinstitute mechanical leaf collection service in the City of Philadelphia.

End