Clear Lake disbanding large-item pick-up program

CLEAR LAKE — The City of Clear Lake last week announced that they were no longer going to offer a semi-annual curbside large-item pickup program. The city will now be offering this program as a “drop-off” service at a centralized location for large items only.

Mayor Nelson Crabb says there were several flaws with the curbside program. “Although the curbside program served the community for several years, it was no longer meeting the objectives of the program and guidelines on accepted items for collection, as well as set-out times were often violated. Unfortunately the magnitude of illegal dumping and other violations, along with safety concerns for our employees became routine, and enforcing or preventing infractions has become nearly impossible.”

Residents who reside within the city limits will have an opportunity to dispose of large items free of charge at the Clear Lake Public Works yard waste site at 1419 Second Avenue South pm October 17th, 18th, and 19th. Crabb says proof of being a Clear Lake resident will be required.  “Example, photo ID, or a city utility bill within the city limits will be required in order to drop off any large items. In the past, we’ve had people bring in from outside Clear Lake unbelievable amounts of stuff and dumping on someone else’s garbage on the front yard there. Literally garbage in many, many cases. Uncalled for, but that’s how it was done.”

Crabb says you can bring two appliances or two TVs to the drop-off site on those dates for free, or there will be an option for appliance and TV pickup curbside earlier in the week, but people will need to buy a sticker from the city. “We will then provide an option for curbside appliance and TV pickup only on Tuesday October 15th. In that case, each appliance and/or TV separately will require a $15 appliance sticker  that must be purchased at City Hall before Monday October 14th at 4:30.”

If you have any questions about the changes, you can call the city’s Public Works Department at 357-6135.

Crabb made his comments during the “Ask the Mayor” podcast that was published earlier today on northiowanow.com. Click here to listen to the program.