News

Aug 18, 2023

Des Moines County Supervisors: Rural Spring Cleanup dates set and other news

A sign for the Des Moines County Regional Landfill is shown at 13758 Washington

A sign for the Des Moines County Regional Landfill is shown at 13758 Washington Road in West Burlington. The landfill hours are Monday through Friday from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. and Saturday from 8 a.m. to noon.

The Des Moines County Board of Supervisors had a quiet morning on Tuesday, and the main topic was the coming spring cleanup.

COUNTY SPRING CLEANUP

The board set the dates of the County Rural Resident Spring Cleanup at Monday April 10 through Saturday June 10, or until the County's landfill credits are depleted. Landfill hours are 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. Monday through Friday and until noon on Saturday.

"This is a great program," county engineer Brian Carter said. "It gives people the opportunity to not only take their stuff to the landfill, but there are people out there who will go clean up stuff instead of just looking at it — I get those calls as much as anything. That's always appreciated, somebody taking pride."

Each year, the Des Moines County Regional Landfill allocates credits to the County and a dozen communities; this year, the County has $5,817 of credit.

"The County has X amount of credits through the landfill," Carter said. "What the board has chosen to do over the years is allocate a portion of those credits in the spring and a portion in the fall, for roughly six-week periods."

Carter said the credits have held up. "I don't think we’ve ever had to shut it down," he said.

Landfill hours are 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. Monday through Friday and until noon on Saturday.

"If you’re a rural resident of Des Moines County, you can bring the items that are permitted by this program," Carter explained. "Rural residents can bring trash, junk, whatever, and they don't get charged; they won't have to write a check."

Acceptable itemsThe following items are accepted at no charge during County Cleanup; proof of residency is required.

Metal

Acceptable metal items include lawn mowers, bicycles, tin roofing, metal cabinets, bed frames and springs, metal fencing and swing sets.

Household

Household items accepted include sofas and chairs, mattresses, rugs and carpets, toys and clothing suitable for donation.

Appliances

Appliances such as refrigerators, washers, air conditioners and stoves can be taken to the recycling center at 1818 West Burlington Avenue in Burlington by appointment only. Call 319-753-8126 to schedule an appointment; appointments will be scheduled no sooner than the next business day.

Refrigerators and freezers must be devoid of food.

Items NOT INCLUDEDNo electronic items such as computer monitors and televisions are accepted during spring cleanup. Electronics should be taken to the Haz Chem Center at the landfill at 13758 Washington Road in West Burlington.

Fees for hazardous waste disposal are not waived during Spring Cleanup.

Also not included in the Spring Cleanup are tires of any size, auto parts, lumber or wood and, of course, garbage.

"Tires seem to fly over the sides of bridges really well," Carter quipped, suggesting that there would be fewer tires in ditches and ravines if they were easier to dispose of at appropriate places. "But it's a good program, I’m glad we’re doing it, and I hope we keep it going for a long time."

DMC Conservation executive director Chris Lee seconded Carter's sentiment.

"Just yesterday, my hands were headed out to clean out wood duck boxes, and they spent more time picking up stuff off the side of the road than they did actually doing the job," Lee said.

He pointed out that Burlington's city-wide cleanup is coming up.

Indeed: Burlington's 2023 City Wide Clean Up has been scheduled for April 17 through May 19; information and route maps are available at burlingtoniowa.org.

McCampbell concurred: "There's no need to try to take advantage of the county cleanup and put your city stuff out on the county roads," he said. "Everybody will get an opportunity to get rid of their stuff."

CLEANUP QUESTIONS?

For questions regarding what is free and what is not, call the landfill office at 319-753-8722. All other questions should be directed to the Des Moines County Regional Solid Waste Commission at 319-753-8126.

PUBLIC HEARINGS SET

A public hearing regarding SF634, "Total Maximum Property Tax Dollars" was set for Tuesday, March 28 at 9 a.m. in the board room at the Des Moines County courthouse.

Senate File 634 provides guidelines for local governments when modifying provisions governing the establishment and approval of county and city budgets.

A public hearing regarding amending the fiscal year 2023 budget was set for Tuesday, March 28 at 9 a.m. in the board room at the Des Moines County courthouse.

ROCKY ROADS

Carter advised that Bridgeport Road is now closed for pavement removal.

He also said that, due to cooperative weather, county roadwork is starting up.

"It's kind of early, but we’ve started our rocking program," Carter said. "We’ve got our semis running and we’re going to rock."

Des Moines County uses three semi bottom dump trailers to haul road rock. A semi bottom dump, or belly dump, is a triple axle tractor pulling a dual axle trailer with a clamshell-style gate in the bottom of the trailer.

COURTHOUSE

PARKING LOT

Maintenance supervisor Rodney Bliesener was unable to attend Tuesday's meeting due to illness, thus Carter delivered the notice that two contractors had bid on upgrading the south parking lot at the courthouse; the apparent low bidder was Jones Contracting at $123,777 pending approval.

"Nothing will be official until contracts are signed," Carter said.

SUPES ONLINE

The Board of Supervisors’ weekly Tuesday meetings live-stream at 9 a.m. at dmcounty.com/youtube or ON the News Flash feature at dmcounty.com/CivicAlerts.

The public is invited to submit comments to the Board of Supervisors at [email protected] or by calling 319-753-8203 extension 4.

A recording of Tuesday's meeting is available on the DMC Web site dmcounty.com.

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