Councilman relays residents' brush collection complaints

A city program designed to save taxpayer money by picking up "Brush on Demand" has left residents confused about when and how the system works, a city councilman said Wednesday.

"They just don't understand it," council Chairman Jack Benson said.

The city's Brush on Demand service began July 1. With the new program, city residents are supposed to call 311 and ask for brush pickup. It replaced the old service in which trucks drove fixed routes across the city, picking up a particular area on a particular week -- whether there was a little or a lot.

But the new service has not generated as many calls as expected, officials said.

In July, city officials said they expected to receive more than 400 calls a day for the service. Public Works officials said this week they average around 200 calls a day. So far, the city has gone out on more than 15,000 calls for pickup, officials said.

Lee Norris, deputy administrator of Public Works, said the program has seen mixed results.

"We're getting a lot of participation in the program," he said. "But the word's not getting out."

Tony Boyd, deputy director of citywide services, said Chattanooga has saved money through the program. City officials said Wednesday they had no records on how much money the program has saved. They also said they had no records for how many pickups occurred last year, compared to this year.

Mr. Boyd compared the system to UPS or Federal Express and said city trucks now have specific locations for pick-ups.

"They were driving down streets looking for brush," he said. "Now they know where their customers are."

For the program to work, all residents need to do is call 311 or do an online submission, city officials said.

But some complaints have come from residents who put out their brush on the curb and wait for it to be picked up, Mr. Norris said.

"They think we're still on a scheduled service," he said.

Other complaint calls are from residents who had a neighbor put out brush and never called, Mr. Norris said. The brush will continue to sit at the curb, because city crews will not pick it up unless a call is made, he said.

Mr. Benson said he wished more public relations campaigns could be done before the start of city programs that directly affect people's lives.

BY THE NUMBERS

* 15,000: Calls for brush on demand since July 1

* 3,712: Number of calls in October for brush pickup

* 200: Average number of pickups a day

Source: Chattanooga

GUIDELINES

* Residents must call 311 and request the service. The city will not pick up brush just left on the side of the road, officials said.

* All brush or branches placed curbside should not exceed 4 feet wide, 4 feet in height and 6 feet in length.

* Small amounts -- 2 feet wide by 2 feet long -- should be put in the trash can.

* No items will be collected other than wood waste.

Source: Chattanooga