City of Dayton to Bill Property Owners $75 to Remove Loose Leaves

City of Dayton to Bill Property Owners $75 to Remove Loose Leaves;
Normal Leaf Collection Process Limited to Paper Bags Only

Release Date: Friday, December 2, 2011
Contact: Fred Stovall, Director of the Department of Public Works, 333-4070

To eliminate abuse of its bagged leaf collection process and to encourage greater participation in the program, the City of Dayton will begin billing property owners $75 if City crews have to remove loose leaves raked improperly to the street.

The Division of Street Maintenance changed its leaf collection process last year to a bagged-only system. Now leaves must be placed in 100 percent biodegradable paper bags and set at the curb line on recycling day. Leaves raked loosely to the street are no longer collected.

The change to a bagged-only service saves the City of Dayton approximately $480,000 a year.

“The majority of Dayton residents have accepted the change and are cooperating by placing their leaves in the biodegradable paper bags,” Fred Stovall, Director of the Department of Public Works, said. “Unfortunately, there is still an unacceptably high number of households that are not complying with the new system and who are raking their leaves to the street. As a result, their loose leaves end up blowing throughout the neighborhood or clogging storm sewer catch basins, which can lead to flooding and other hazards.”

City crews will issue a “Notice of Violation” door hanger on residences where loose leaves have been improperly placed along the street. The property owner will have seven days from the date of the notice to bag the leaves in 100 percent biodegradable paper bags. After that period, any loose leaves placed along the street will be removed by City crews and the cost of removal will be billed to the property owner or responsible party.

As an alternative to bagging, residents can choose to drop off their leaves at area composting sites. Through December 22, residents can deposit leaves at the three composting locations below between 8:00 a.m.-6:00 p.m. Monday-Friday, Noon-5:00 p.m. on Saturday, or 1:00 p.m.-5:00 p.m. on Sunday. Leaves can be dropped at these sites without a paper bag, but they must be emptied from plastic bags. No grass, sticks, or other debris should be included.

• Lohrey Site – 2366 Glenarm Ave., behind the Lohrey Recreation Center at Belmont Maintenance building.
• Gettysburg Landfill – 1826 Gettysburg Ave., north of McGee Blvd.
• Wagoner Ford Landfill – 2670 Wagoner Ford Rd., across from Grafton Kennedy School.

Community Thanksgiving Dinner

Come together with your friends, neighbors and family, Monday, Nov. 21st at 6:00 PM for a Community Thanksgiving Dinner.
The dinner is free and is provided by COTR-Church On The Rock at 321 Edgar Ave., between Wayne & Wyoming.  There will be live music and entertainment for all to enjoy.

If you need additional info please call 937-254-7522.

Linda Williams
937-626-0000
Gary Williams
937-626-5227

Ohmer Park Fall Bazaar & Luncheon

When: Saturday, November 5, 2011; 9am to 3pm

Where: Ohmer Park United Methodist Church---In Belmont
1357 Arbor Blvd. (at Clarence; one block North off Wayne Ave.)

What: Church Bazaar & Luncheon with an assortment of vendors and artisans; crafts, jewelry,
vermacasting, beauty products, bake sale, food, AND corn hole games for the kids.

Luncheon: 11am to 2pm with chicken noodle dinner, hot dogs, chips, or a fresh fruit plate.

For Further Info Call.........252-7362

City of Dayton Prepares to Begin Bagged Leaf Collection Cycle

· Leaves Must Be Bagged at the Curb; Loose Leaves Will Not Be Accepted

· Schedule Expands to 4 Pick Ups Corresponding to Recycling Dates

· Informational Flier Now Being Mailed to Dayton Residents

· Residents Can Also Find Their Leaf Collection Schedule Online



Release Date: Thursday, October 6, 2011

Contact: Fred Stovall, Director of Public Works, 333-4080



The City of Dayton has kicked off its Fall bagged leaf collection process by mailing personalized collection schedules to all affected Dayton residents.



The bagged leaf collection process has been expanded this year from two to four pick ups during the eight-week collection period, beginning October 31. Citizens are reminded that as a result of operational changes made last year, leaves must be bagged in biodegradable paper bags and placed at the curb; leaves raked loosely to the street will not be collected.



During the next week, city of Dayton residents should look for a green and white flier in the mail that outlines the bagged leaf collection process, provides leaf pick up schedules for individual neighborhoods, and includes a coupon for 10 free biodegradable leaf collection bags.



In addition to using the mailer, residents can also identify their four leaf collection dates by visiting www.daytonohio.gov/leafcollection, clicking on the interactive map, and typing in their home address.



The City of Dayton converted to the bagged leaf collection process last year. Street Maintenance crews had traditionally used specialized leaf collection equipment to pick up leaves raked loosely to the curb line. However, that practice was discontinued to help control costs, saving the City approximately $480,000 a year.



The new process requires residents to place leaves in 100 percent biodegradable paper bags (plastic not accepted) and to set the bags at the curb line for pick up, even if their normal waste collection is in an alley. Bagged leaves must be placed at the curb by 7:00 a.m. on the scheduled collection day. The biodegradable leaf bags should be placed separately from normal waste collection/recycling containers.



City officials stressed that any leaves raked to the curb, and not placed in bags, will not be accepted.



Fred Stovall, Director of Public Works for the City of Dayton, said residents should think of recycling when they think of leaf collection.

“We tried to make the leaf collection schedule easy for residents to remember this year by tying it to their bi-weekly recycling dates,” he said. “When we begin our leaf collection process October 31, residents just have to remember to place their bagged leaves at the curb on the same day their recycling is collected. And since we collect recycling every other week, they’ll have four opportunities to have their leaves picked up, instead of two as in past years.”



To help encourage leaf bagging, the City’s mailer contains a coupon for 10 free

biodegradable bags. The biodegradable bags, which are ideal for composting, are also sold at most major retailers and hardware stores for about 40 cents a bag.



The City disposes of the bagged leaves at City-owned composting sites, not the sanitary landfill.



As an alternative to bagging, residents can choose to drop off their leaves at area composting sites. From October 24-December 11, residents can deposit leaves at the three composting locations below between 8:00 a.m.-6:00 p.m. Monday-Friday, Noon-5:00 p.m. on Saturday, or 1:00 p.m.-5:00 p.m. on Sunday. Leaves can be dropped at these sites without a paper bag, but they must be emptied from plastic bags. No grass, sticks, or other debris should be included.



· Lohrey Site – 2366 Glenarm Ave., behind the Lohrey Recreation Center at Belmont Maintenance building.

· Gettysburg Landfill – 1826 Gettysburg Ave., north of McGee Blvd.

· Wagoner Ford Landfill – 2670 Wagoner Ford Rd., across from Grafton Kennedy School.



Residents are also encouraged to use home composting as an alternative way to dispose of leaves. Composting is the natural process of decomposition and recycling organic material into a rich soil product known as compost. Creating a compost pile at home is a practical and convenient way to handle yard wastes, like fallen leaves, grass clippings, weeds, and the remains of garden plants. Compost also improves soil and the plants growing in it. For more information about composting, visit the Montgomery County Solid Waste District website at www.mcswd.org.



Another way to avoid bagging leaves is to mow more frequently. Mowing, especially with mulching mowers, helps return natural nutrients back into the soil without harmful chemicals and cuts down on the need to bag leaves.



Citizens who have additional questions can call the City of Dayton Public Works Call Center at 333-4800.

City Factoid - Fire Safety

In less than 30 seconds, a small flame can get completely out of control and turn into a major fire. In honor of September being Emergency Preparedness Month, remember these basic steps to prepare for a fire emergency:
Install smoke alarms on every level of your home, including the basement. For extra safety, install smoke alarms both inside and outside sleeping areas.
Test your smoke alarms once a month and change the batteries at least once a year.
Replace smoke alarms every 8-10 years or as the manufacturer guidelines recommend.
Plan your escape from fire. The best plans have two ways to get out of each room.
Practice fire escape plans several times a year. Practice feeling your way out of the house in the dark or with your eyes closed.
Check that windows are not stuck, screens can be taken out quickly, and that security bars can be properly opened.
Make sure everyone in your family understands and practices how to properly operate and open locked or barred doors and windows.
Consider installing residential fire sprinklers in your home.
Contact the Dayton Fire Department at 333-4500 for more information about safety in your home.

Vacation Bible School Part 2

We had so much fun having Vacation Bible School at Ohmer Park this year that we decided to add on a second week at Colorado Ave Baptist Church!

Vacation Bible Schools runs the week of August 1st through the 5th from 6-8:30pm. Kids from the ages of 3-12 are welcomed to attend. We have lessons, crafts, praise and worship, snacks, and prizes!!

On Friday, August 5th, we like to have any parent attend for a meal and learn what their children learned that week in lesson and songs.

For more information please contact the church office at (937) 253-0014.

Colorado Ave Baptist Church is located at 101 Heaton Ave, just on the corner of Heaton and Colorado, and off of Wayne Ave near Esther Price.

Community Days at Colorado Ave Baptist Church

Colorado Ave Baptist Church is hosting their annual Community Days tomorrow, July 30. The festivities start at 4:00pm with a cook out and games. Then at 6:00pm, join us in the sanctuary for gospel group, The Southern Aires.

Please join us to catch up with old and new neighbors and to just have a good time and fellowship with one another.

Colorado Ave Baptist Church is located at 101 Heaton Ave. Which is on the corner of Heaton and Colorado, and right off of Wayne Ave near Esther Price.

We hope to see you there!

Vacation Bible School

It is that time of year again for Vacation Bible School!!

Starting the week of July 18 through July 22 from 6-8pm at Ohmer Park Methodist Church, 1357 Arbor Blvd, located at Arbor & Clarence just right off of Wayne Ave.

For kids between the ages of 3-12. There will be praise and worship, crafts, lessons, snacks, and PRIZES!!!

For more information please contact Ohmer Park at 937-252-5674

Care-a-lot

The Department of Public Works assigns 47 employees (30 of which are seasonals) to mow approximately 7,000 vacant and abandoned lots, 62 parks, street boulevards, highway banks, and other miscellaneous public spaces around the city. These crews try to mow the vacant lots three times during the warm weather months. Unfortunately, the mowing cycle is running about 30 days behind schedule due to the heavy Spring rains, resulting in overgrown grass and weeds at many locations. That’s why it’s more important than ever for residents to pitch in and help maintain vacant lots in their neighborhood. The Department of Planning and Community Development has created the new “Care A Lot” program, which provides help in matching interested volunteers with vacant lots near their home. City employees and citizens are encouraged to help mow and maintain vacant lots, and to spread the word to your family, friends and neighbors to do the same.
Spread the Word: To participate in the volunteer Care A Lot program, register online at www.daytonohio.gov/carealot, or contact Kathleen Riggs (333-3671; kathleen.riggs@daytonohio.gov) or Ray Alexander (333-6549; ray.alexander@daytonohio.gov).

Community Urged to Plan ‘Green Debris Clean-Up Day’ May 21

Wagner Ford Landfill Agrees to Add Saturday Hours

To Assist with Dayton’s ‘Green Debris’ Disposal Efforts


Release Date: Tuesday, May 3, 2011

Contact: Fred Stovall, Director of Public Work, 333-4070

The City of Dayton is encouraging residents, neighborhood groups and community organizations to take advantage of newly extended Saturday hours at the Wagner Ford Landfill by planning a voluntary “Green Debris Clean-Up Day” on Saturday, May 21.

Operators of the landfill at 2670 Wagner Ford Road have agreed to expand their normal Monday-Friday operation to include Saturday hours as well. The facility will now be open Saturdays from 8:00 a.m.-noon, with the third Saturday of each month offering longer 8:00 a.m.-4:00 p.m. hours of operation. The “Green Debris Clean-Up Day” on May 21 will take advantage of the longer operating hours.

Dayton residents and groups are encouraged to use this opportunity to remove any remaining “green debris” from recent storms by dropping them off at the landfill on May 21. Green debris is limited to leaves, branches, grass clippings, tree limbs, etc. No trash, recycling products, plastic bags, or bulky waste items are accepted.

The green debris can be disposed of at the Wagner Ford Landfill in any format – items are not required to be bagged, bundled or sorted.

“Residents can bring their green debris to the landfill by pick-up truck, car, trailer, wagon or any other method they choose,” said Fred Stovall, Director of the City of Dayton’s Department of Public Works. “The extended hours of operation offer a great opportunity for the community to collect any left-over storm debris and get rid of it once and for all. We especially encourage schools, churches and neighborhood groups to take advantage of the extended service hours on May 21 to coordinate their own ‘green debris’ collection activities that day.”

The Wagner Ford Landfill’s normal hours of operation are 7:00 a.m. – 5:00 p.m., Monday through Friday. The facility is closed on holidays. The new extended Saturday hours will be in effect through the end of July.

City Plans Neighborhood Visits to Identify Environmental Issues

Release Date: Thursday, May 5, 2011
Contact: Kevin Powell, Acting Housing Inspection Manager, 937-333-3945

Staff members of the City of Dayton Division of Housing Inspection will tour various neighborhoods over the next several weekends in an expanded effort to enforce City codes and improve neighborhood conditions.

City staff will issue written warnings for properties found to have grass or weeds eight inches or higher and for other environmental issues. Tickets and legal orders will subsequently be issued if property owners do not address conditions outlined in the warning notices. Tickets involve a $150.00 fine, and legal orders may result in a summons to court.

The Housing Inspection visits will begin on Saturday, May 7, in the FROC Priority Board area, followed by other Priority Boards across the city, moving in a counter-clockwise direction through early June.

It is estimated that at least 200 warnings will be issued in each Priority Board.

“In response to concerns we’ve heard from neighborhood groups, we’ve decided to use these weekend assessments to urge homeowners to correct conditions that obviously detract from the appearance of a neighborhood,” said Kevin Powell, Acting Manager of the Division of Housing Inspection. “Our goal is to identify neighborhood problem spots early and get them resolved quickly before they get out of hand.”

City Factoid - Fingerprinting Not Always Practical

Victims of crimes may wonder why Police Officers don’t always take finger prints from the scene, like they see happen in the movies. However, crime scene situations, capabilities and results depicted in movies and on TV are for entertainment value and differ greatly from actual investigations. Conditions must be just right for a fingerprint to be left on an item, to remain on the item for a period of time, and for the fingerprint to be recovered in a usable form. To be effective, the surface of an item must be smooth, non-porous, clean and dry. If it does not fit all four requirements, the chances of lifting a usable print are minimal. Many modern materials (car interiors, computers, etc.) have a texture or grainy surface that may appear relatively smooth but in reality leave the item nearly impossible to print.

Interesting Fact (but not Walnut Hills related.)

The man-made lagoon with the bright blue water along the south side of Route 4 near the Findlay Street exit is related to the Water Department’s water softening process. The Water Department uses what is commonly known as quick lime as a softening agent in its water treatment process. Most of the byproducts created by this process are normally recovered by Dayton’s Lime Reclamation Facility. However, twice each year, the Reclamation Facility is taken offline for cleaning and inspection. During this time, the excess byproducts are pumped directly to the lagoon, giving the water its vivid blue or green color. When the lagoon contains too much lime, it is dredged and the product is sold off as an application on farmland to enrich the soil.

Dayton Utility Bills Now Payable Online

NEW SERVICE AT PAYDAYTONWATER.COM

Release Date: Friday, March 25, 2011
Contact: Cheryl Garrett, Director, Department of Finance, 333-3578

Customers with City of Dayton utility accounts may now enjoy the convenience of online bill payment at www.paydaytonwater.com.

Amounts due may be paid with MasterCard, VISA, American Express and Discover.
Customers may also opt to receive email notification of bill availability rather than mailed paper billing statements. Additional conveniences of the new system include online viewing of account history.

“This is one more way the City of Dayton is enhancing customer service for the community,” said Cheryl Garrett, Dayton’s Finance Director. “The new online system will make it easier for citizens to pay bills and track accounts. It also can help reduce the City’s expenses by cutting down on printing and mailing costs.”

Using the online service requires completion of a quick registration process at www.paydaytonwater.com. City utility bills are generated quarterly and have previously been payable by mail, through an automated telephone system, or in person at City Hall.

Pothole Update

As a result of the huge ice storm a couple of weeks ago – which actually caused more damage than the hurricane winds of 2008 – Division of Street Maintenance crews are still heavily engaged in removing downed trees, branches, and related storm debris. As a result, crews have been unable to devote as much time as usual to filling potholes, which pop up this time of year. While crews are repairing any overly large or dangerous potholes immediately, the many smaller ones are on hold until the storm clean-up efforts are completed early next month.

Large or dangerous potholes should be reported to the Public Works Call Center at 333-4800.

Chat-N-Chew this Saturday

Colorado Ave Baptist Church is having their Chat-N-Chew this Saturday, March 12 from 9:00am to 3:00pm. There will be a lot of items for sale as well as baked goods and a luncheon for those who want to stop in around 11:30am for the luncheon. For any additional information please call the church office at 253-0014.

Colorado Ave Baptist Church is off of Wayne Ave, just turn down Margaret across from Esther Price and just head straight and the church is right there.

Homebuyer Assistance

The Department of Planning and Community Development has partnered with CityWide Development Corporation and Wright-Patt Credit Union to offer a home buying program to help get foreclosed properties back into use. Interested homebuyers can receive assistance of up to 10 percent of the purchase price of eligible properties as well as other great incentives for buying and reinvesting in Dayton.

For more information and a listing of available properties, visit www.LiveInDayton.org, or call Shenise Turner at 333-3688.

Montgomery County Board of Developmental Disabilities Services 10th Annual Chili Cook-off

Come out the this great event that support Special needs Families through out the County. Great cause, Great Fun, Great Chili, Games, Prizes, Music..

Where is the Chili cook-off at the fairgrounds.

Theme is Wizard of Oz this year.

Come and see Jim Weir from Walnut Hills Association dressed up as a the Wizard of Oz.

Montgomery County Board of Developmental Disabilities Services

10th ANNUAL CHILI COOK-OFF

Saturday, March 12, 2011

5:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m.

at the Coliseum, Montgomery County Fairgrounds

Flyer for the Cook-off

Dayton ‘Big Bin’ Recycling Program to Expand Citywide

Release Date: Wednesday, February 2, 2011

Contact: Fred Stovall, Director of Public Works, 333-4070


Due to popular demand, the City of Dayton is buying 10,000 more “Big Bin” recycling containers that will expand the enhanced service to every Dayton neighborhood by early summer.

The City’s Department of Public Works distributed about 10,000 of the larger 96-gallon recycling containers to 33 targeted neighborhoods last year. This additional supply will allow all interested Dayton homeowners to participate in the program. Roughly 35 percent of Dayton households currently recycle.

“There is a growing interest throughout the community to recycle more in order to save money and protect the environment,” said Mayor Gary Leitzell, who advocated for expanding the Big Bin program to all Dayton neighborhoods. “This is one way we can enhance our service delivery while saving tax dollars.”

The City of Dayton could save approximately $343,000 a year if it collects 1,000 tons of recyclables a month. The savings results by diverting more waste from the landfill (where tipping fees are $38.25 a ton) to the recycling center (where disposal costs drop to zero after 500 tons). City of Dayton residents disposed of about 367 tons of recyclables in December.

The new round of Big Bins will be rolled out in three phases over the next few months, with distribution expected to be fully completed by early summer. Residents in the following neighborhoods will receive an advance mailer asking if they would like to participate in the program. The mailer includes instructions on how interested participants can apply to receive their Big Bin.


Phase One – neighborhoods with a Thursday collection date (estimated distribution by late February): Burkhardt, Downtown, Eastern Hills, Historic Inner East, McCook Field, Old North Dayton, Oregon, Springfield, and Webster Station.

Phase Two – neighborhoods with Tuesday and Wednesday collection dates (estimated distribution by mid April): Arlington Heights, Carillon, Edgemont, Five Points, Hearthstone, Lakeview, Linden Heights, MacFarlane, Pineview, Roosevelt, and Wolf Creek.

Phase Three – neighborhoods with a Monday collection date (estimated distribution by early June): Cornell Heights, Dayton View Triangle, Hillcrest, Mount Vernon, North Riverdale, Princeton Heights, Santa Clara, Southern Dayton View, and University Row.

To finance the new containers, the Dayton City Commission approved a $479,250 internal bond sale. In effect the City will use the bond proceeds to pay for the new containers and will pay-back the debt with 3% interest over seven years. As residents recycle more, the cost savings from the lower waste and recycling disposal fees will be used for the debt repayment.