Department of public works

RODENT CONTROL INFORMATION

Every property owner or occupant in the City of Center Line is responsible for preventing a condition of rodent infestation. Residents and business owners are required to take preventative measures, including but not limited to the following:

Storage of all garbage and debris inside, unless kept in a metal or rat-proof container with a tight-fitting lid;
Maintain their premises and keep them free of the accumulation of trash, debris, and rubbish;
Store and handle, in an approved manner, all materials that might provide a nesting place and/or food supply for rats;
Store or pile firewood, coal, pipe, boxes, etc. at least twelve inches above the ground with an open space underneath and in piles of no higher than four feet above ground;
Keep all lots, vacant or occupied, free of all litter, garbage, and debris at all times;
Elevate to a height of at least forty-eight inches above ground level, all containers used for the feeding of wild birds or animals.
Clean dog kennels/pens and yards cleared of dog feces daily.
Keep weeds and grass cut.

This information is provided to protect the health, safety and welfare of the Center Line residents, business owners and visitors, and further, to prevent unhealthy and unsafe conditions which may encourage or foster rodent infestation.

FACTS ON RODENTS

RODENTS CAN:

Squeeze through a ½ inch hole.
Climb horizontal and vertical wires.
Reach vertically 18 inches.
Jump vertically 3 feet.
Swim up floor drains.
Swim up sewer lines.
Swim through a toilet bowl trap.
Survive on pet food.
Survive on animal droppings.
Gnaw through soft metals, wood, electrical wires, and cinder blocks.

YOU CAN HELP, by following the steps listed below:

STARVE THEM - with proper storage of garbage in metal cans with tight fitting lids, discontinue the use of plastic garbage bags, do not leave pet food sitting outside and clean feeding dishes daily, and if feeding birds from a bird feeder keep it at least 4 feet off the ground.
CLEAN YOUR PREMISES – get rid of all unnecessary articles, junk, and large rubbish items, cut weeds and grass, store lumber on racks at lease 18 inches above the ground, clean dog kennels/pet areas at least once weekly.
ERADICATE THEM – with rat poison, it will usually take 8 to 12 days but remember to follow the directions as stated on the product label; with traps, the safest and least expensive way of eradication.
RODENT PROOF HOME/GARAGE/SHEDS – seal all holes and openings within 3 feet of the ground with 17-gauge hardware cloth, 24-gauge sheet metal, concrete, brick, or mortar.

The city is providing this information to all residents as a preventative measure to minimize the potential for rodent infestation. However, it is each property owners responsibility to assist in this effort.

For this program to work, your assistance is necessary. Thank you in advance for your cooperation. If you have any questions, please contact City Hall @ (586) 757-6800.

SNOW EMERGENCY PROCEDURES

Chapter 62, Article I, Sec. 62-10, of the Center Line code of Ordinances states, in summary that no vehicles are to be parked on the city streets during a snow emergency. Snow emergencies (including freezing rain and/or sleet) will be called by the City Manager on the basis of forecasts by the U.S. Weather bureau or other weather service when an accumulation of snow is expected such that parking of vehicles on the streets would restrict snow plowing and/or salting activities. Snow emergencies will be announced via cable television - Channel 5 of the Comcast Cable system and Channel 10 of the Wide Open West Cable system - and will remain in effect until terminated by the City Manager, which will also be announced on cable television, and/or until streets are thoroughly cleared of all snow and ice from curb to curb.

Vehicles remaining on the City streets during snow emergencies may be subject to towing and/or ticketing. Residents are asked to remove their vehicles form the city’s streets during a heavy snow fall, even if a snow emergency is not called, to allow D.P.W. employees to thoroughly clean the streets of snow and ice.

Residents should be aware that, in order to thoroughly clear snow from the streets, it may be necessary for the snow plows to make several passes down each street, causing snow to be deposited in driveways. If at all possible, please wait until your street has been totally cleared of snow before clearing you driveway approach. This will eliminate the need to clear this area more than once.

Depositing of snow onto city streets is strictly prohibited, violators will be prosecuted.

In accordance with City Ordinance and State Law (Public Act 82 of 1978), individuals and/or contractors are prohibited from depositing snow, ice and or slush in any roadway, intersection or City right-of-way so as to obstruct motorists vision or travel. Also, it is a violation of ordinance for contractors to deposit snow, ice or slush removed from business properties or parking lots onto private residential property.

ALL SNOW REMOVAL CONTRACTORS WORKING WITHIN THE CITY LIMITS OF CENTER LINE ARE REQUIRED TO OBTAIN A BUSINESS LICENSE FROM THE CITY. THIS LICENSE CAN BE OBTAINED DURING NORMAL BUSINESS HOURS AT THE MUNICIPAL BUILDING.

REGULATIONS REGARDING FALL LEAF PICK UP

The City of Center Line will no longer pick up leaves deposited onto the street or curb area, anywhere in the City. Residents must place the leaves in the proper receptacles to be picked up by the waste haulers. This is a service that is included in your solid waste bill .

ALL residents will be required to use the curb side yard waste pick up by placing their leaves, in the fall, in the proper yard waste receptacles or “kraft” paper bags.

Failure to comply with this new policy will result in an ordinance violation, pursuant to the City of Center Line Code of Ordinances, Section 62-19, Leaving, depositing, spilling, etc…materials on the street.

SOLID WASTE, RECYCLING AND COMPOST PROGRAM
FOR THE CITY OF CENTER LINE RESIDENTS

On July 1, 2003, the City of Center Line residents began to participate in a curb side recycling program. The existing mixed waste collection and compost (yard waste) program will also continue. This new service is a result of the new contract that the City of Center Line has entered into with Great Lakes Waste Services. Residents pick up schedule will remain as it has in the past, as follows:

* Tuesday -- East of Van Dyke to Lorraine from Stephens Drive north to Harding.

* Wednesday - East of Van Dyke to Lorraine from Central north to Potomac.

* Thursday - West of Van Dyke from I-696 south to the southern City limits including the north side of Wood Street.

RECYCLING - OPTIONAL PARTICIPATION

- On July 1, 2003, the new curb side recycling program began for all single family residential properties.
- The official recycling container is burgundy recycling bin which will be provided to each residence prior to the start of the recycling program. The container has been dropped off at each residence with written instructions, including regulations for the use of the recycling bin.
- All containers should be rinsed out before being placed in the recycling bin, such as tin cans, plastic containers, glass, etc.
- Do not use plastic grocery bags for your trash or recyclables.
- Diapers are not recyclable.

The Center Line Recycling Center located at the Department of Public Works yard on Sherwood, north of 10 Mile Road is closed permanently. All recyclables should be placed at the curb side in the proper recycling bin provided to each resident.

One (1) recycling bin has been delivered FREE to every residence. Lids for bins are available by contacting City Hall at 586-757-6800. Additional bins will be $8.00 each, lids are $3.00 each.

HOW TO RECYCLE

ACCEPTABLE BOTTLES & CANS
Plastic Jugs & Bottles	Clean. Discard Caps.
	Leave labels on. Flatten if possible.
	Only narrow-neck bottles marked 1 (PETE) or 2 (HDPE) on bottom
	NO Microwave dishes or plastic bags
	NO #1 OR #2 wide-mouth containers, such as margarine tubs or yogurt containers.
	NO containers marked 3,4,5,6 or 7.
	NO automotive or chemical containers
Glass Bottles & Jars	Clean, leave labels on. Discard lids.
	Brown, green and clear bottles and jars only.
	NO broken glass, window glass, light bulbs or ceramic mugs.
Metal Food/Beverage Cans	Clean. Labels are OK.
	Clean aluminum trays & pie tins.
	Place lids inside cans. Squeeze to secure.
Household Batteries	Such as AA, AAA, C, D, 9 volt.
	Store in a clear plastic bag inside bin.
	NO automotive batteries.

ACCEPTABLE PAPER PRODUCTS
Cardboard	Non-Wax coated with wavy corrugation
	Discard packing material & loose food.
	Cut or flatten and tie into bundles no larger than 2' x 3' pieces, no more than 30 lbs.
Paperboard/boxboard	Clean cereal, shoe, detergent, gift, & snack.
	Pop/beer bottle and can packages.
	Remove all good, cellophane & liners.
	NO milk, drink or pizza boxes.
	Breakdown and flatten and bundle.
Magazine & Catalogues	Magazines, phone books and catalogues.
	Tie securely or place in brown paper bag.
	NO books.
Brown Paper Grocery Bags	Fold/place inside another paper bag
Newspaper, Glossy advertisements & Inserts	Newspaper and all inserts.
	Glossy advertisements and newsprint ads.
	Tie with string or place in brown paper bag.

All solid waste (garbage) is to be placed in proper containers of not more than 30 gallon capacity or size, or placed in 30 gallon plastic garbage bags, not to exceed 60 pounds each. All solid waste shall be placed by the curb not more than 24 hours prior to pick up day, as follows:

*All items that cannot be placed in either cans or bags must be tied in bundles not to exceed four (4) feet in length and not to exceed 30 pounds per bundle.

*Bulk items such as furniture, appliances, etc., are to be placed at the curb side for pick up on your designated pick up day.

*Appliances such as refrigerators with doors removed, air conditioning units, humidifiers and any other appliance containing a refrigerant will be picked up by placing the appliance at the curb on your designated pick up day at no charge to the resident. Please call Great Lakes Waste Services or Center Line City Hall no later than the day prior to your designated pick up.

*ITEMS THAT WILL NOT BE PICKED UP ARE: Household batteries, vehicle batteries, paint, motor oil and building materials.

* ? All yard waste including grass, leaves, plant materials, and brush are to be placed in containers, no larger than 30 gallon receptacles that is clearly marked "YARD WASTE ONLY" or brown paper bags.

* ? Each yard waste receptacle must have a "YARD WASTE ONLY" sticker affixed to it and clearly visible from the street. Yard waste container stickers are FREE. Yard Waste containers that are not identified by a "YARD WASTE ONLY" sticker affixed to the receptacle, WILL NOT be picked up by the contractor.

* Stickers are supplied free of charge and can be picked up at the Center Line City Hall during regular business hours Monday through Friday, 8:30 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.

* Brush and tree limbs will be picked up by bundling with ends facing in the same direction.

* Excessive amounts of brush will continue to be picked up by the Center Line Public Works Department on Wednesdays, as in the past.

* Yard waste may also be placed in brown paper "kraft" bags, available at most hardware or department stores, designed specifically for yard waste disposal. Bags shall be placed by the curb for pick up on your designated pick up day.

The following is the pick up schedule for solid waste in the City of Center Line:

If you have any questions as to what day your street is scheduled to be picked up, please phone 586-757-6800.

As a reminder to all residents, solid waste, recycling and compost scheduled for pick up on a legal holiday will be picked up on the next regular business day. Great Lakes Waste Services observes the following holidays:

* New Years Day
* Memorial Day
* 4th of July
* Labor Day
* Thanksgiving Day
* Christmas Day

When the above holidays fall during the week, the collection schedules will be moved to the next week day.

Since yard waste is picked up by a separate truck, any one of the other materials may be picked up several hours prior to or after the pick up of your solid waste and recyclables. However, it is necessary that yard waste, recyclables and solid waste, be placed at the curb no earlier than the evening before the scheduled pickup and no later than 7:00 a.m., on the pick up day. This will ensure that all solid waste, yard waste, and recyclables will be picked up in a timely fashion. Failure to place your waste containers during the required times, will result in your containers not being picked up.

Yard waste is picked up only from April 1st to November 30th of each year. However, solid waste and recycling will be on a year around schedule.

Working together, residents can make a difference in providing a safe environment in their home and help stop the unnecessary waste of recyclable items being deposited in landfills.

If you have any questions or concerns, or you wish to notify Great Lakes Waste Services of a special pick up on your designated pick up day, i.e., refrigerator, stove, etc., please call one of the following numbers:

* Great Lakes Waste Services . . . . . 1-800-966-2660
* City of Center Line. . . . . . . . . . . . . 1-586-757-6800

Recycling Center located at the Department of Public Works yard on Sherwood, north of 10 Mile Road is closed permanently. All recyclables should be placed at the curb side in the proper recycling bins provided to each resident.

In a recent newspaper advertisement, The Detroit Water and Sewerage Department (Detroit) compared the rates charged to the communities (the portion of your bill that goes directly to Detroit) and the rates charged by the communities to their residents (your total bill). This comparison was misleading as it made it appear a lesser amount of your bill was going to Detroit than actually is. To begin with, Detroit measures how much water is pumped into the City of Center Line and charges a fixed rate for each 1000 cubic feet (about 7,500 gallons). Detroit also measures how much sewage flows to them and charges an additional fixed rate for each 1000 cubic feet. In order to pay Detroit, the City of Center Line uses a meter to measure how much water goes into each home or business and charges a fixed rate for each 1000 cubic feet to pay Center Line's costs which include all of Detroit's fees.

Not included in the comparison were fixed annual Detroit charges to the City of Center Line in addition to the advertised Detroit rates. Center Line is charged $3,539.84 a month by Detroit as a "Readiness to Serve" fee. Detroit also conducts an annual "Look Back" adjustment whereby the previous two years total billings to the communities are re-evaluated. This year the adjustment is $22,991.52, which represents the amount Detroit believes Center Line was undercharged for service. Additionally, Detroit may assess penalty fees whenever Center Line's sewage flow exceeds the amount our contract allows us to send them. This sewage flow in excess of our contract allowance is also taken into account as part of the annual increases to the originally advertised Detroit rate. As we've discussed in past issues, this increased sewage flow occurs due to rain water entering our sanitary sewers. These charges relate directly to the sewer system we've been discussing the past several issues and further illustrate the importance of removing rain water from our sanitary sewers.

All of these additional charges are from Detroit in addition to their advertised rate. These charges are subsequently included in the rate charged by the City to the residents. The remaining portion of your bill funds Center Line's Water and Sewer Department, including capital equipment, and, contributes to debt retirement.

If you have any questions or require any additional information, please feel free to contact the City's DPW Superintendent at (586) 758-8278; or Mr. Paul Guinnane or Mr. Chris Frayer at our consulting engineering firm, Anderson, Eckstein & Westrick, Inc. (AEW) at (586) 726-1234.

*TUESDAY:*	*All Center Line streets east of Van Dyke to Lorraine from Stephens Drive north to Harding.*
*WEDNESDAY:*	*All Center Line streets east of Van Dyke to Lorraine* *from Central North to Potomac.*
*THURSDAY:*	*All Center Line streets west of Van Dyke from I-696 south to the southern City limits including the north side of Wood Street.*