Receive report on the upcoming annual Azalea Cleanup, to take place March 20th through March 23rd, or take other necessary action. (Mike Stewart)
BACKGROUND:
The Azalea Cleanup is an annual event created for the purpose of cleaning up the City of Muskogee before the Azalea Festival in April.
The Azalea Cleanup is an exceptional way for the residents of Muskogee to keep their City clean and beautiful. Residents have a choice of where they can clean up. The residents, along with several local businesses, community civic groups, and other associations partner together with the City to promote our City's public image and take matters into their own hands to fight litter and trash in their neighborhoods. To register and receive all necessary equipment for cleaning, residents will be able to call the City's stormwater division at 918-684-6340 or email shenderson@muskogeeonline.org. Equipment to be handed out includes safety gear such as vests and gloves, as well as bags and grabbers to make the cleanup as efficient as possible.
Muskogee residents can also take advantage of our free dump days during the event. The City will be accepting brush and limbs at the usual location of 40th and Denver, at Hatbox Sports Complex. The City will also accept trash waste at our Material Yard located at 1503 S Cherokee. Hours for these locations are 7:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m. This is different from previous years when the Muskogee Community Landfill operated by Waste Management accepted waste into their sight; instead, this year we will accept the trash waste at our previously mentioned Material Yard and take it to the landfill ourselves. This is due to construction at the landfill and will revert to the usual locations after this event. A reminder, this is free to the public and all they are required to do is present a City of Muskogee water bill and their Driver's License.
This is a great event that has had tremendous success for many, many years in our community. Staff typically presents a report with the results of the event; however, this year we want to take the opportunity to further publicize the event on this platform and show the many opportunities the City offers for trash and debris removal. The City also provides each resident who pays a water/trash bill two free bulk waste pickups per year, broken down into one per six months.