Geneva is extending a special citywide brush collection to help residents remove fallen trees and branches stemming from strong storms that swept through the area July 14-15.

This free brush pickup began July 22 and will continue the week of July 29 for residents living within the City’s municipal boundaries. The City, Kramer Tree Specialists, the City’s contractor, and our mutual aid partners have finished collecting brush north of State Street (Route 38) west of the Fox River, the hardest hit area of the community. Crews are now operating in the downtown south of State Street and west of downtown.

The collection is taking longer than anticipated due to the significant tree damage caused by the storms. The normal monthly brush program typically generates 600 yards of materials citywide. Crews picked up 1,522 yards during the first four days of the special program alone in neighborhoods just west of the Fox River.

The special collection will continue the week of July 29 in the following areas:

• South of State Street, west of the Fox River to Randall Road (ongoing);
• East of the Fox River; and
• West of Randall Road

Residents who have not had their brush picked up should leave their piles set at the curb for this special one-time operation. Stay tuned for further updates.

Kramer Tree Specialists encourages residents to stack tree branches with the cut ends facing in one direction toward the curb or edge of the pavement. Brush should not be placed in the street. All tree materials, regardless of size, will be collected during this special pickup, and waste stickers are not required.

The City asks residents to make sure their brush piles are not blocked by parked cars on the street. The contractor can work more efficiently when the parkway is unobstructed. Residents can resume parking on the street once their brush has been collected.

Residents should not tie bundles of branches with rope or wire. No foreign materials, such as construction debris, fencing, lumber, wire, grass, flowers, and yard waste will be collected.

The City’s next regular brush pickup will occur in August. A schedule and program information can be found on the City’s website.

For more information, call the Geneva Public Works Department at 630-232-1501.