As usual, City facilities will close today in observance of Christmas Day and also on New Year's Day (Wednesday, January 1)

 

Enjoy the holidays and thank you for your understanding!

View  all City holidays here.

With the holiday season here, many gifts will be exchanged, triggering questions about what to do with all the wrappings...

The City's compost, recycling and waste hauler, Recology has compiled a handy chart explaining what goes where. 

Though many decorative items are suitable only for reuse, or the trash, some kinds of plain paper can be recycled, and plain tissue paper can be even be composted.

Get the details from Recology.

Also, a quick reminder that regular curbside service is not provided on Christmas Day and New Year's Day. Service will be provided one day later following those holidays.

Under a joint MI School District (MISD) and Police Department (MIPD) program launched in September 2016, some school buses on the Island now have external cameras to document vehicles passing illegally. Some residents have been asking about progress being made...

 

Before the system was launched, bus drivers filed about 25 formal stop-paddle violations per year with the MIPD. Due to the data required for an accurate report, it is thought that only about 25% of all violations were captured. For the 2017 calendar year, 62 citations were issued through the new camera system.

 

For the most recent school year (2018-2019), only 34 citations were issued through the system, and there were no repeat offenders. Most violations occur in the north end of the Island and mid-Island along West Mercer Way, with Monday and Tuesday mornings being the most problematic.

 

Bus drivers have also noticed a drop in violations but they do still occur: on the annual May 1 Bus-Paddle Survey, seven violations were observed in a single day. As a result, MISD is exploring adding camera systems to even more buses.

 

The fine for violating the regulation is now $419; MISD uses its share of the money collected on student safety initiatives. For example, last year it partnered with the City to purchase and install two solar-powered radar speed signs.  

 

The Police Department reminds all drivers to review the law about passing school buses; view a summary graphic here.  To learn more about MISD's camera system, visit this page.

Some residents may have noticed Parks Maintenance staff applying wood chip mulch recently to planter beds around the Island. 

By applying these wood chips now, less time will be spent in the coming year weeding these same areas, leading to greater efficiency. The wood chips look good, add much-needed organic matter, and provide chemical-free weed suppression.