Richmond returning to two leaf-collection cycles

Richmond isn't penny-pinching on leaf collection, even as revenues are falling with the leaves.

The city is returning to two cycles of leaf vacuuming this fall and winter after fielding numerous complaints from residents about last year's single round.

The city saved about $300,000 by going with one cycle that was scheduled for December and January, but residents griped that leaves were getting picked up too early or too late.

"That's a service they want," said City Council President Kathy C. Graziano, who represents the leafy 4th District.

The City Council added $200,000 to Mayor Dwight C. Jones' proposed budget for fiscal 2009-10 to allow a second leaf collection this year. "We're not objecting to that approach," said Jones' press secretary, Tammy D. Hawley. This year's program is expected to cost about $1.5 million and run from November to March.

The first round of vacuuming is scheduled to start Nov. 9 in the Stony Point area and to finish Jan. 15 in the Maymont, Byrd Park, Oregon Hill and Carillon areas. A schedule for the second cycle is expected to be released in late December.

Officials are advising that the schedule is weather-dependent and that leaves should be ready for pickup before the area's start date. Officials are asking that leaves be raked to the property line but not into the street or ditch. For information, call (804) 646-LEAF.

The first-round schedule is:

• Stony Point: Nov. 9-20

• Windsor Farms/University of Richmond/Far West End: Nov. 9-27

• Stratford Hills/Willow Oaks: Nov. 23-Dec. 4

• Museum District/Fan District: Nov. 30-Dec. 4

• Westover Gardens/North Side/Highland Park: Dec. 7-11

• Worthington Farms: Dec. 14-18

• Bellevue/Ginter Park/Washington Park: Dec. 14-25

• Broad Rock/Brookbury: Dec. 21-25

• Westover Hills/Forest Hill/Woodland Heights: Dec. 28-31

• Church Hill/Fulton: Dec. 28-Jan. 8

• Bellemeade: Jan. 4-8

• Maymont/Byrd Park/Oregon Hill/Carillon: Jan. 11-15

If residents prefer bagging, officials are urging the use of biodegradable bags with only leaves in them. Up to six bags will be picked up as part of weekly trash collection. There's no limit on the number of bags that can be set out for pickup during an area's scheduled vacuum service.

Contact Will Jones at (804) 649-6911 or .